Wildlife Sightings, Cancellation, Refund & Liability Policy

1. No Guarantee of Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife photography workshops take place in uncontrolled natural environments. Animal movement, behavior, weather, seasonal timing, habitat conditions, migration shifts, hunting pressure, and human disturbance all influence wildlife presence. Sightings of specific species, close encounters, behaviors, or portfolio-quality photographs can never be guaranteed.

By registering, participants acknowledge and accept the inherent unpredictability of wildlife and field conditions.

No refunds are issued due to lack of sightings, limited wildlife activity, weather variability, lighting conditions, or dissatisfaction with photographic results when the workshop has been conducted as scheduled.

2. Limited Sightings Credit Policy

If a wildlife-focused workshop does not produce meaningful wildlife sightings consistent with the primary theme of that workshop, participants will receive a one-time coupon equal to 40% off a future workshop booking.

“Meaningful wildlife sightings” are defined as encounters that provide reasonable opportunity to observe and photograph the target species under typical field conditions.

Determination of whether a workshop qualifies for this credit is made solely at the instructor’s discretion and based on:

Number and duration of encounters
Proximity and visibility
Opportunity for photographic engagement
Overall field conditions

Brief, distant, or partially obstructed sightings may still qualify as meaningful opportunity.

Coupon Terms:

Valid for one future workshop booking
Must be used within 12 months
Non-transferable
No cash value
Cannot be combined with other promotions
Applies to workshop tuition only
Cannot be split across bookings
Not issued for no-shows

3. Registration & Payment Policy

Full payment is required to secure a spot unless a deposit option is explicitly offered.

If deposits are accepted:

Deposits are non-refundable.
Remaining balance must be paid by the stated deadline.
Failure to pay remaining balance may result in forfeiture of deposit and loss of reserved space.

Chargebacks or payment disputes initiated without valid contractual cause may result in collection efforts and permanent ineligibility for future workshops.

4. Participant Cancellation Policy

Due to limited group sizes, scouting time, permits, and logistical preparation, cancellations directly impact operations.

More than 30 days prior: 75% refund of workshop tuition or one transfer to another available workshop within 12 months.
15–30 days prior: 50% refund.
14 days or less: No refund.
No-shows: No refund or credit.

Refunds apply to tuition only and do not include non-refundable deposits.

Only one transfer per booking is permitted. Transfers are subject to availability.

Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain travel insurance.

No refunds or credits are issued for late arrival or early departure.

5. Instructor Cancellation, Low Enrollment & Force Majeure

Workshops require a minimum number of participants. If minimum enrollment is not met, the workshop may be canceled or rescheduled. In such cases, participants will receive either:

A full refund of tuition, or
Transfer to a rescheduled date

If the instructor cancels due to illness, emergency, unsafe conditions, access restrictions, or unforeseen circumstances beyond control, participants will receive a full refund of tuition or transfer option.

Under no circumstances is the instructor responsible for airfare, lodging, rental vehicles, fuel, meals, gear rentals, or other personal travel expenses.

The instructor shall not be liable for delays, cancellations, or changes caused by events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, land closures, government restrictions, public health emergencies, road closures, or acts of God.

6. Weather Policy

Workshops operate in most weather conditions unless safety is compromised. Overcast skies, snow, fog, wind, or light precipitation do not constitute grounds for refund.

Weather-based decisions are made solely by the instructor with safety as the primary consideration.

7. Assumption of Risk & Required Liability Waiver

Wildlife photography may involve:

Hiking on uneven, icy, wet, or unstable terrain
Exposure to cold, heat, wind, precipitation, and changing weather
Early morning or evening low-light sessions
Encounters with wild animals
Remote or semi-remote locations
Physical exertion while carrying camera equipment

Participants acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.

All participants are required to sign an Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver at the beginning of each workshop. Participation is not permitted without a signed waiver.

Failure or refusal to sign the waiver will result in removal from the workshop without refund.

8. Medical Fitness & Emergency Responsibility

Participants are responsible for determining their own physical fitness and capability to participate.

Participants must:

Disclose any relevant medical conditions that could affect safety
Carry required medications (inhalers, EpiPens, insulin, etc.)
Accept responsibility for any medical costs or emergency evacuation expenses

The instructor is not responsible for medical expenses or evacuation costs under any circumstance.

9. Equipment Responsibility

Participants are solely responsible for their personal equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and accessories.

The instructor is not liable for loss, theft, or damage to equipment occurring during the workshop, including damage resulting from terrain, weather, wildlife activity, or positioning.

10. Conduct & Ethical Wildlife Policy

Participants must:

Follow all safety instructions
Follow ethical wildlife photography practices
Comply with local laws and land-use regulations
Avoid harassing or disturbing wildlife

Disruptive, unsafe, illegal, or unethical behavior may result in immediate removal from the workshop without refund.

11. Intellectual Property & Location Confidentiality

Workshop materials, techniques, and instruction are the intellectual property of the instructor and may not be reproduced, recorded, distributed, or sold without written permission.

Specific wildlife locations shared during the workshop are confidential and may not be publicly disclosed, marketed, or shared in a way that risks wildlife disturbance.

Participants may not advertise themselves as affiliated instructors or partners without written consent.

12. Media Release

Unless a participant provides written notice opting out prior to the workshop, participants grant permission for incidental appearance in photographs or video captured during the workshop for promotional or marketing purposes.

13. Policy Agreement

Registration for any workshop constitutes acknowledgment and agreement to all policies stated above.

These policies are intended to protect participant safety, ensure ethical wildlife practices, and maintain the sustainability of small-group wildlife photography workshops.

​Wildlife Sightings, Cancellation, Refund & Liability Policy