Things You Should Know
Useful information about Tom’s Nature Photography Tours
Reservations:
Reservations are required in advance of all tours/workshops and may be made by contacting me via e-mail ([email protected]) or by phone (315-420-3513). Participants may also register on-line by clicking on the “Register Now” link with each tour description. “Register Now” links will be available only for tours for which all details have been confirmed.
Reservation deadlines:
Information on each tour includes a reservation deadline. Typically this is necessary due to deadlines at the host facility (hotel, motel, etc.) for confirming reservations as our special group rates. If you’ve missed the deadline, and the tour description does not indicate that the tour is full, please feel free to give me a call.
Who should attend a Tom Dwyer tour?
Beginners to intermediate and more advanced photographers with a desire to take their photography to the next level. All of Tom’s tours are scheduled with individual participant needs and objectives in mind.
Tour Format
With your interests and objectives of prime importance, the locale and subject matter of a specific tour is paramount. Assuming your interest in the locale and subject matter, you’ll advance your photographic skills in the field, behind your camera. While the tour itself will focus on specific subjects – waterfalls, mountain vistas, country streams, state and national parks, etc., the venue often anticipated the use of unique skills and techniques to successfully capture exciting images.
That said, the interests and needs of all participants are not necessarily the same. That accounts for why I limit the number of participants – typically no more than eight. I want to be able to assure each participant the one-on-one time necessary to bring home new skills that have been tried and tested, as well as images you’ll want to share.
Throughout the tour I work with each participant, exploring their unique interests. You’ll discover or enhance your ability to recognize what belongs in your image and what may not. You may be introduced to new skills, new techniques, and new technologies (or recall dormant ones). To accomplish this I do not shoot during my tours (except occasionally on a one- or two-person event).
Equipment “requirements”: Typically, any camera equipment you have will work. However, some compact cameras may not afford you the opportunity to be as creative as you’d like. I encourage use of digital SLRs with whatever lenses and accessories you may have. I also encourage participants to bring laptop computers, if they have them, to facilitate image reviews and critiques. If you do not have a DSLR and/or a laptop computer, I suggest talking to me before registering, just to make certain your equipment will allow you to get the most benefit from your experience. Digital cameras are preferred because their use allows us to review images during the shoot and during our typical mid-day or evening image reviews. If you have laptop computer with Lightroom II (or III) or Photoshop installed, bring it with you. Consider downloading free demo versions of the latest Lightroom and Photoshop applicatiions from www.adobe.com just before you come to the workshop.
Transportation: Transportation to and from the tour is the responsibility of each participant. Besides driving to our gathering point for each tour, air, bus, and rail transportation is typically available. For anyone not planning on driving, I’ll include information on each transportation option available as planning for the respective tours progresses. Transportation during the tour will be by carpool among participants. Typically, some are more anxious to drive than others and we’ve never had a lack of drivers or room in our vehicles. Of course it is nice if riders will offer to help defray fuel costs for fellow participants who are driving.
Lodging: Lodging is not included in the tour fee. Those participating from outside the local areas of each tour will want to confirm lodging for the duration of each session as early as possible to ensure that you can get the lodging you’d like. Typically everything from campgrounds to major chain hotels and local bed and breakfast lodging is available in the area. Please feel free to contact me if you would like help with any reservations, directions or other questions.
Fees vary depending on the tour. Typically the fee includes the tour only. Lodging and meals are each participant’s responsibility as is transportation to and from the tour. Fees are quoted on my website along with other pertinent information.
Typically, $200 is due with your application
– 50% of the balance is due 60 days prior to the tour
– Final payment of the balance is due 30 days prior to the tour.
Refund Policy: Refunds will be made as follows:
- In the unlikely event that Tom Dwyer/Natural Images has to cancel the photo tour for any reason, a full refund will be made to all participants, or the participant(s) may elect to have any amount paid credited to another tour.
- A full refund, less a $50 cancellation fee, will be made for cancellations made 90 or more days prior to photo tour start date. Such cancellations must be made in writing and the date the written cancellation is receive via e-mail or postmarked in the case of a mailed cancellation, will determine the cancellation date.
- 80% of total tour fee (less the cancellation fee) will be refunded if the cancellation is received in writing 60-89 days prior to tour start date unless a replacement participant can be found, in which case the policy in #2 above, will apply.
- No refunds will be made for cancellations 59 or fewer days prior to photo workshop start date unless a suitable replacement participant can be found, in which case, in which case the policy in #3 above will apply.