Camino de Santiago Postcards and PhotosFAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I get a Pilgrim's Passport, and are they necessary? A: If there is a confraternity in your country try there. See my links page for a lst of confraternities. I know in the UK the Confraternity of St. James (CSJ) only supplies passports / credencials to members of the organization. I got mine in Roncesvalles on the French/Spanish border. They are issued on the spot at Albergues in many of the popular pilgrimage start points. If you are seriously considering walking to Santiago as a pilgrim then they are a necessity to stay at the Albergues.

Q:How long did you take to walk the Camino, and what area's would you recommend if I only did it in two weeks? A: I took five weeks from Roncesvalles. Initially I was only going to walk for three weeks and miss out a large chunk of the meseta, the tableland plateau, but I changed my flights and walked the entire distance in one stretch. I'm glad I did as for me I got some of my best shots along what most believe to be the boring bit. As for recommending sections I'll pass on that. For me it was the total experience rather than a particular place.

Q: I've made a link to your site, would you like to link to mine? A:Providing it's Camino related there haven't been any problems so far.

Q: Do you have a Camino book for sale ? A:Presently no, colour photobooks are expensive to make and I've only just made a set of postcards so I'll see how well they sell before I venture into more costly territory. I may make a pocket-size book, or an e-book but I'll wait for more feedback on these Camino images. If you like any of these images a quick comment from my contact page would be most welcome.

Q: Can I use your photos on my website, and for free ? A: Contact me with your website details. I'm usually open to the idea of my images being used by educational institutions and school reports, but all of these images have been taken by myself, they are copyrighted and it's my profession and like most I have bills to pay. My fees for supplying low resolution digital files are reasonable. I will only send high resolution files to reputable editorial publications. If you are an editor please contact me with information about your publication, print run, and the usual details on size of published image etc.

Q: Do you sell prints ?
A: Yes, please see the prints section or contact me directly. I have sold many prints via my "sister" photo website www.paulquayle.co.uk but these Camino images have only recently been made available through this new website. My postcards are selling well. Many people buy them not only to post on, they buy them for themselves and are kept on the fridge door. I do however believe that my Camino images would also look very nice printed and hung on someone's wall as a daily reminder of a fantastic experience.

Q: How much are your prints ?
A: Please check out the prints section where the prices for 3 popular print sizes are listed along with info on how to order.

Q: Can you supply digital files ?
A: Yes, I can license ditigal files. I can supply both low and high resolution files. I can only license low-res files to individuals for personal website usage. For business or editorial usage please contact me directly.

Q: Can I be your photo assistant ?
A: Have you seen my bank account!!Commissions from top travel magazines are extremely difficult to get. Most of these features were shot on spec.That means I have to pay upfront and travel for long periods in hostels. It is not as glamorous as you'd imagine.

Q: Do you have any photos of the interior of Santiago Cathedral, Finisterre, etc ?
A: I often get specific Camino photo requests. That is fine as the images on-line are just a small selection of my Camino photo files. However, most of the Camino shots were taken using film, and though I shot 80 rolls of film, in such pre-digital days I didn't shoot every church, bridge etc. I do have interior shots of Santiago Cathedral. I haven't been to Finisterre,buy I often return to Santiago so the next time I think I will. if you have any specific photo requests for me to shoot in Finisterre/ Santiago send me an e-mail.

Q: Any shots of the Camino in France ? A: I only walked from Roncesvalles, so unfortunately none as yet. One day I may walk the Camino in France. Actually, last Christmas holiday I did go to a few French towns on the Camino, but only Cahors and Moissac.

Q: What's your favourite country ?
A: I often get asked this question, way before this website went live, so it's appropriate it's found a home on this FAQ page. The more complicated answer is I always seem to find something to like in all the places I've been to. Although it's hard to be positive about my time in El Salvador, when we weren't allowed to venture outside of San Salvador's main bus station.But that's another story.But the simple answer to this question is India. The people, colours and culture make it a photographers' dream, plus I met my wife there. I'd love to go back soon. The last time I was there, I was doing a feature on 24hours in the life of Victoria Terminus (VT) in Bombay. Both the train station and city have now changed names. I was awake for almost, (I managed to get a just a few hours sleep in the small hours),the entire 24hours stretch and was exhausted which led to me getting sick. I flew out to Bangkok where I was hospitalized for ten days with pneumonia. However, while on the way by taxi to Bombay Airport, I was sat exhausted and alone on the back seat and while we stopped at red lights, a child begging tapped on the window. We quickly sped off but despite being sick I managed to grab a photograph.This was the last photograph I took in India and it was used as a full front cover spread in the Escape magazine, the travel section of the Observer newspaper. Ironically after ten visits to India my last photo in the country was regarded as the best I took. Well you're only as good as your last, but working photographers know the best picture they take will be tomorrow. If you are the PR agent for any tourism board please contact me! I'd especially like to visit Bhutan, Mongolia, and Mali!!