What’s Included In My Tuition?

Unless otherwise noted, the tuition covers all classroom and field education.  Travel, hotel, and personal expenses are paid by each student.  Each student receives a custom workshop guide tailored for the specific location.  This material includes a guide to the area, extensive textbook on specific photo techniques that are taught in the class and other support material. 

During the classroom session we dedicate considerable time to critique sessions for student work.  This work can include images that you brought with you, or better yet, images that you shoot while attending the workshop. 

Room Reservations

I recommend that you make your lodging reservations as soon as you register for the workshop.  Because we work only with small groups, some hotels will not block rooms for our use.  Also, most hotels will release rooms that are blocked anywhere from 30 to 90 days before an event. 

In a few workshop locations lodging reservations coordinated by GreatPhotography.  In other workshops you must make your own lodging accommodations.  GreatPhotography designates a host hotel for your convenience and this hotel may offer special rates for our guests.  When you contact the hotel you should advise them that you are with the GreatPhotography Workshop. 

Workshop participants are not required to stay at the host hotel.  In either case, you should advise your workshop leader where you will be staying so that any last minute information can be passed on to you as quickly as possible. 

Payment Options

GreatPhotography accepts Visa, MasterCard, personal checks and, of course, cash.  All prices are quoted in US dollars.

Tuition payments may be made in full at the time of your reservation or, to ensure a spot in the workshop, you may pay a $250 deposit with the balance due 60 days prior to the workshop.

Refund Policy

Tuition refunds are available, less a $25 administrative fee, if requested 90 days prior to the start date of the workshop.  For cancellations less than 90 days before an event, you will be liable for the full tuition unless we can fill your spot.  

Cancellation

From time to time there may be situations that require us to cancel a workshop.  Although this is unlikely, and to date we have never cancelled any student’s reservation, you should be aware that such an event is possible whether because of illness, under-enrollment, government imposed travel restrictions etc. 

In the event that a workshop is cancelled by GreatPhotography, 100% of your tuition will be refunded.  GreatPhotography is not liable for any other costs associated with the cancellation of a program including, but not limited to, nonrefundable airfare, hotel deposits, etc.

All participants are strongly urged to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance, especially students who elect to purchase non-refundable tickets.  

Safety

Workshop locations selected by GreatPhotography are extremely safe though you should exercise prudence in your activities.  Don’t leave valuables unattended and when traveling at night you should travel with a companion.

Activities planned for all GreatPhotography workshops are well within the capabilities of an average person in good health.  No workshop activities are planned for any hazardous areas though you should be aware that many of the photo locations are unimproved. You should be prepared to hike on uneven, muddy, slick, steep, and rocky trails all while carrying an assortment of camera equipment.    

Also be aware that you may be in a natural area and the animals that you see are wild.  Please help keep them that way.

All wildlife, especially bison, elk and bears, are unpredictable and dangerous. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife and Do NOT feed any wildlife. Each year, a number of visitors to the parks are injured by wild animals -- do not approach any elk closer than fifty meters, and watch closely for any aggressive signs displayed by the animal (raised ears, glaring looks, stamping feet, etc.).  It is not unusual to see elk and other wild animals roaming the streets of some of the towns. They may look tame but they are wild animals.

Workshop participants should prepare for a wide range of weather conditions. Rainwear is recommended and the chilly mornings dictate multi-layered clothing, hats, mittens and warm foot wear. Inclement weather actually adds a wonderful mood to photographs so the field schedule will only be altered if the weather turns dangerous.