Refund Policy, Questions and Answers
Do I need to be an advanced photographer to join a workshop?
No, our workshops and tours are ideal for those looking to learn. Daily instruction will ensure you have a solid understanding of camera and photographic techniques.
I am a beginner and not sure which one to join? Please contact us to discuss different options.
I am an advanced photographer looking for a specific species or experience that I don't see on your website. Do you offer other workshops? Yes, please contact us to discuss your request. We offer private workshops are always adding new adventures to our clients.
What equipment and items should I bring on my workshop?
All participants will receive a list of equipment and items to bring specific to your workshop requirements. We supply all multi-flash equipment for hummingbird photography.
When is the balance of my photo adventure payable? Full payments and remaining balances due are payable not less than 60 (sixty) days prior to the workshop start date. Some workshops require payment in full 90 days prior, please see workshop page details. Payments accepted through PayPal credit card / debit, Checks/Cheques and bank drafts. Please note a 3% service charge applies for credit cards and PayPal payments.
What if my camera breaks during the workshop?
We recommend bringing two camera bodies on your trips. We may have extras available but we only have Canon bodies.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend buying travel insurance. Should there be a last minute emergency or an unexpected situation and you cannot attend the workshop, Hemmings Photo Tours or leaders are not responsible for any travel costs or losses incurred.
What happens if I have to cancel my workshop?
Please refer to our Refund Policy.
I am a vegetarian or I have special diet requirements.
Please let us know in advance on our forms and we will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your dietary needs. On most trips, we can ensure vegetarian meals are available.
Do you provide private workshops? How much does it cost?
Yes, please contact us for more information. Prices will vary depending on the destination, length of trip, etc.
What do I do if a workshop is full? Please contact us and add you to the Waiting List. In some cases we add another workshop based on client demand and Workshop Leader schedules.
Do you guarantee specific species?
Most trips we will see and photograph the advertised species. In some cases we cannot guarantee any specific species. It is nature and wildlife. For certain workshops such as the Snowy Owls we send updates as we get closer to the workshop date. If our scouts feel it is not enough species for an excellent adventure and photo opportunities we will cancel the workshop and give you the option of a refund or a credit to be used with another workshop.
What happens when my workshop is over?
We will want to see those incredible photographs! You will be given a customer service survey. To keep improving our level of customer service and photo workshops we appreciate all comments.
Can I bring a non-photographer or friend, spouse, significant other?
All photographers, birders, friends, spouses, significant others are welcome on any of our workshops. Our adventures are designed for all to enjoy. Many of the places have alternative activities for the non-photographer to enjoy. Please contact us and we can make some recommendations.
Do you provide short term workshops?
Yes, we offer 1-2 day workshops in addition to our longer term workshops. We may also be able to accommodate a short term destination workshop based your ideas, location and length.
Can my son or daughter travel with me, if they are under 18 years old?
Yes, as long as they are with a person over 18 years old.
Do you sell prints? Yes! Please email info@hemmingsphototours.com and we will provide sizes and prices.
Do you book my flights? No, we do not book your flights, we have partnered with Always Travel and on your request have a travel consultant contact you.
REFUND POLICY - TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please note that our workshops have a non-refundable deposit due to limited participant groups and advanced planning for leaders, guides and accommodation requirements. Hemmings Photo Tours (Natures Photo Adventures) or its employees are not liable for any delays caused by your air carrier to workshop destination. Should there be a delay we will do our best to accommodate you to ensure that you get to your destination ASAP.
Gift Certificates: May be applied to any workshop destination. No expiry date.
Please note: We will attempt to stay true to all itineraries. However, certain unforeseeable conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may require changes to the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will do our absolute best to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. For each workshop a list of equipment and items we recommend to bring is located under the details page for that workshop.
Multi-flash Equipment is provided by Hemmings Photo Tours for all relevant workshops. Your workshop leader has a back-up camera and equipment should yours have technical problems.
Refund Policy Terms and Conditions:
RESERVATIONS: All reservations with Hemmings Photo Tours require a deposit and the completion of an online registration form to secure your place on a workshop. Deposits for tours are non-refundable unless we cancel the workshop due to lack of participants. Once a registration form has been accepted your place on the workshop will be confirmed in writing. At this point, a contract between the applicant and Hemmings Photo Tours - Natures Photo Adventures comes into existence. Payments are non-refundable. We will try our best to find a replacement for your spot reserved and at our discretion refund less the costs involved for your cancellation. Please note the workshop spots must be sold out prior to any replacements for your spot being considered.
Please do not book your airfares until we confirm that the workshop has secured the minimum amount of participants. we will inform you immediately once the minimum has been met so you can make your travel arrangements.
PAYMENT: Our standard workshop payment policy for our published prices require an initial non-refundable deposit for reservation of space and your payment balance in full a minimum of 60 days prior to the workshop date. If we do not receive the balance on or before the due date, you will be contacted and sent a reminder. If we do not receive your balance of payment we reserve the right to fill your spot with another participant.
Fees are based upon double occupancy. Single rooms may be provided upon request when available. Single rooms will require a single-supplement fee. For participants traveling alone but wishing to share a room, we will try to arrange for a roommate. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged.
Note: Some of the workshops require full payment up to 6 months prior to the workshop date due to the policy terms of the lodges we stay at, please review the details on the workshop page for specific details.
Most international workshop & tour fees include: all lodging and meals as listed in the itinerary, all transportation during the tour, entrance fees for parks and other areas, baggage handling, and the guide services of the tour guide(s). some of our workshops do not include meals and lodging. Unless indicated otherwise, our workshop fees do not include: transportation to and from tour departure points, passport and visa fees, airport taxes, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, laundry, or other items of a personal nature. For clarification please inquire or check the detailed itinerary or call/email our head office.
• We prefer to accept payment by wire transfers, checks or money order, bank drafts.• We accept payments through our secure website via PayPal for deposits. Final payments via wire transfer, email $ transfer or check. Please make check payable to EAGLE BEAR LODGE.
CONFIRMATION: An email will be sent to after confirmation of purchase. If for some reason, you do not receive confirmation please email us immediately info@hemmingsphototours.com
FLIGHT CONFIRMATION TO WORKSHOP DESTINATION: You will be sent an email with details of flight destination arrangements to ensure proper arrival time. Do not book your flight until you have been given the confirmation email. For selected workshop destinations, we will arrange flights on your behalf through our travel agent, to ensure proper arrival time and date (Cambridge Bay, Nunavut ) An email will be sent to you when the minimum participants have been met for the workshop destination. Do not book your flight until you have received the confirmation letter. Hemmings Photo Tours ,Natures Photo Adventures, Eagle Bear Lodge or owners / employees are not held financially liable should you book your flight prior to the confirmation letter, and the workshop cancelled due to the min. participants not being met. Should your workshop be cancelled we will offer additional options as a replacement tour or refund your deposit. As of today, we have not cancelled any workshops, as our minimums have always been met. Our success has been contributed to our small workshop group size.
CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS & REFUNDS:
IF YOU CANCEL: Workshop down payment, deposit is final and non refundable. All final balance payments are non refundable unless we find a replacement participant for that workshop after all spots have been sold out . We will then refund the workshop payment less the original deposit and any administrative, banking fees.
At our discretion we may apply a deposit credit to be used within 1 year of workshop date. Please note that price increase adjustments may apply. Do to the administrative tasks involved, advertising, bookkeeping, etc. there will be a $100 administrative fee invoked for switching and/or canceling workshop(s).
This policy only applies to payments made to Hemmings Photo Tours, Natures Photo Adventures, Eagle Bear Lodge. Airline tickets or other travel arrangements that you have made that are not included in the tour fee and purchased separately often carry penalties for cancellation or change, or may be non-refundable. Additionally, if you take out trip insurance the cost of the insurance is not refundable so it is best to purchase the policy just prior to making full payment for the tour or at the time you purchase airline tickets, depending upon the airlines restrictions.
There shall be NO REFUND for weather delay or cancellation because of weather before arrival or during the scheduled workshop. Natures Photo Adventures is not responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or otherwise. To protect yourself against unforeseen scenarios that may arise for you - Insurance is essential. Here is a link to a great site called Insure my Trip. You can get multiple quotes in seconds from this site. http://www.insuremytrip.com/
If you have any questions, or do not understand this policy as it is written here, please ask us to explain in detail further. Otherwise, we are assuming that you understand fully the protocol written in this policy.
Do you work with a travel agency to book flights and hotels? Yes, we work with Always Travel, if you would like flight booking assistance let us know and we will have a travel consultant contact you.
COUPONS OR VOUCHER SPECIALS: There are no refunds for any deal group purchase. You must contact us prior to the expiry date of your coupon to arrange your date of your workshop. Should your coupon expire it is non-refundable. If your workshop is confirmed and you do not show or do not cancel 7 days in advance of your date your coupon is non-refundable due to the workshop has been arranged with a minimum number of participants to cover costs of the workshop. At the company's discretion we may use your coupon as a credit towards the regular price of any other regularly priced workshop should we be able to accommodate.
IF WE CANCEL
We reserve the right to cancel any tour for which there are insufficient reservations. We will notify you not less than 60 days before the departure date. We reserve the right to cancel the tour in regards to natural disasters, political instability directly affecting the safety of the participants in the workshop location. In the event of any cancellation by Hemmings Photo Tours, Natures Photo Adventures, David Hemmings all deposits and other payments made to Hemmings Photo Tours-Eagle Bear Lodge, Natures Photo Adventures will be refunded in full. If possible and if there is sufficient interest from participants, another workshop will be created as a replacement.
TOUR ALTERATIONS
Changes in the itinerary may occur even though tours are carefully planned. Changes will be made to the stated itinerary if in our professional opinion it will benefit the workshop and its participants by providing better photographic opportunities. Any major changes to the itinerary will be advised in the final tour details sent on receipt of the final balance. We also reserve the right to substitute another guide/ workshop leader for the original one (e.g. David and Jennifer vice versa). Where this is necessary, notification will be given to workshop participants. A change in the order that locations are visited is not deemed to be a major change. Should a major change of itinerary or schedule be forced upon us while the tour is in progress (for example due to strikes, weather delay or breakdown) any additional costs are the responsibility of the participants. Once again we insist that travel insurance is essential.
PASSPORT, VISA AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
All participants are responsible for, and must be in possession of, a full passport, valid for at least six months beyond the end of the tour. Participants must also obtain any necessary visas and vaccination certificates required for the tour. Participants will be advised of visa requirements in sufficient time.
Please note a yellow fever vaccination note of confirmation is required to enter Kilimanjaro airport (Africa workshops).
It is the participants' absolute responsibility to seek medical advice regarding vaccinations and medication to ensure that they are prepared by the date of departure. Any medical information supplied by Nature’s Photo Adventures must be considered as a guide only.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be in medium-standard hotels/motels. Single rooms are normally available at extra cost. If you are traveling singly, but want to share a room, every effort will be made to find someone of the same sex for you to share with; if this is not possible, the single supplement fee will be applicable.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
INTERNATIONAL - For international destinations outside of the USA or Canada we insist that all participants traveling with Hemmings Photo Tours, Natures Photo Adventures, David Hemmings, Eagle Bear Lodge, purchase Trip or Travel Insurance to cover circumstances that may cause travel difficulties or losses you may incur, of which Natures Photo Adventures is not responsible. Insurance should ensure that the necessary protection is provided against loss of deposit and medical costs, which can be very high should you fall ill during the tour. Please note that travel insurance rarely provides sufficient coverage for expensive photography equipment; you are therefore recommended to add this to your home insurance policy prior to departure.
DOMESTIC - For destinations within Canada and the USA we strongly suggest Trip or Travel Insurance to all our participants to cover any unseen situations occurring before or during the trip that would cause losses not covered by our policy, of which Natures Photo Adventures is not responsible. Here is a link to a great site called Insure my Trip - http://www.insuremytrip.com/
RESTRICTIONS ON PARTICIPATION
Hemmings Photo Tours photography workshops do not normally entail strenuous activity. If the activity level is intended to be high this will be discussed in the tour itinerary. Nevertheless, participants must be able to complete moderate walks/hikes with their required photo gear sometimes on uneven or slippery surfaces, to meet the schedule of all of our photo workshops. If you have any health problems or physical limitations, you are required to advise Nature’s Photo Adventures prior to booking. Depending upon the itinerary of the tour we can usually arrange for a half or a full day's rest for those who wish to opt out of a photo shoot at any time. We will do our best to make our workshops work for you.
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
At Hemmings Photo Tours / Natures Photo Adventures we take the greatest care to ensure that the information presented on our website and the materials we distribute is accurate. However, mistakes can occur. Unless the error or omission has a major effect on the tour to the extent that the photographic opportunities are drastically altered no claim for compensation can be entertained.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Hemmings Photo Tours / Natures Photo Adventures/ Eagle Bear Lodge will take all reasonable steps to ensure that all services provided are of an acceptable standard. We cannot, however, accept liability for physical injury, loss, damage or expense resulting from any event whatsoever beyond our control. Insurance is therefore absolutely essential.
By agreeing to participate in a Hemmings Photo Tours/ Natures Photo Adventures workshop or at Eagle Bear Lodge, each tour participant and each parent or legal guardian of a tour participant who is under 18 years of age agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless our company, its agents, servants, employees, shareholders, officers, directors, attorneys, and contractors as more fully set forth in the liability waiver. Nature Photo Walks , our company is not liable for any cause .
Hemmings Photo Tours / Natures Photo Adventures acts only as an assistant/consultant for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motor-coach, boat, airplane, or other means, and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity caused by defect in such vehicles or for any reason whatsoever, including the acts, defaults, or bankruptcies of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour.
Hemmings Photo Tours / Natures Photo Adventures accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. The tour participant shall bear all such losses and expenses. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
Participants should be in good health before undertaking a tour. If you have questions about the physical requirements of a tour, please contact us for further information.
Participants should prepare for the tour by reading the detailed itinerary. Each participant is responsible for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment as recommended.
The receipt of your tour deposit shall be deemed to be consent to the above conditions. Each photo workshop participant and each parent or legal guardian of a tour participant who is under 18 shall sign and deliver the terms and conditions document at the time of registration.