Terms & Conditions
All clients are required to read our Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policy and Acknowledgement of Risks, before signing up for any “workshop, backpacking trip, or other activity that we offer” (hereafter, collectively referred to as “workshop”). If one client is paying on behalf of multiple clients, then it is the responsibility of the paying client to make sure that all other clients have read these Terms and Conditions.
By signing up and paying for any workshop (deposit or paying in full) all clients acknowledge that they have both read and agree to everything listed in this Terms and Conditions page.
Deposits
Deposits are used to secure your spot in one of our workshops and allow clients to break the workshop fee into smaller payments. All deposits are non-refundable. Deposits may be transferred one time only to another available workshop if notice is received at least 60 days prior to the start date of the original workshop. The one-time deposit transfer must be used within one calendar year of the original workshop start date unless we agree otherwise. All deposit transfers not used within one calendar year will be forfeited. The one-time deposit transfer is not transferrable to a different client; it must be used by the original client. No refunds will be issued for the difference if the one-time deposit transfer workshop total fee is less than the original deposit amount. The one-time deposit transfer cannot be used for multiple workshops regardless of pricing. Deposit amounts may vary by workshop and are listed on each individual workshop registration page.
What’s Included with Workshop Fees
Workshop fees only cover the cost of instruction, organization, education, permitting, and guiding. It does NOT include any of the following unless otherwise stated:
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Air/ground transportation
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Lodging
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Meals
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Trip insurance
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Park entry fees
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Required gear (backpacking gear, camera gear, adequate clothing, etc.)
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Other expenses not listed here
Cancellation, Refund, and Delay Policies
Client Cancellation Policy
In the event of client cancellation, if cancellation notice is received at least 60 days prior to the start date of the workshop, then your deposit can be transferred one time towards another workshop of your choice, based on availability, within one calendar year of the original workshop start date. See the “Deposit” section above for more details. If the deposit for the new workshop is greater than the deposit for the original workshop, then you will be required to pay the remaining deposit balance before your spot is secured. If you have already paid in full prior to the 60-day cutoff, then you will receive a one-time deposit transfer towards another workshop of your choice, plus you can either put the remaining balance towards the new workshop or receive a refund for the remaining balance. Any refunds issued will be less all fees associated with the client’s chosen payment method (PayPal fees, etc.) and any non-refundable expenses we have already paid or $75, whichever is greater.
If you must cancel a second time all deposits paid will be forfeited and there will be no second deposit transfer. For cancellations received within 60 days of the start of the workshop all deposits and workshop fees will be forfeited.
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Instructor Cancellation Policy
Mandy Lea Photo, LLC reserves the right to cancel any workshop at any time for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:
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Workshop does not meet the required minimum number of students
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Unexpected instructor life events (death in family, illness, etc.)
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Natural disaster or civil unrest in/near workshop location
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Government closure(s) impacting the operation of national/state-operated areas
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Inability to obtain necessary permits
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Other unforeseen events
If a workshop must be cancelled due to unforeseen instructor-related circumstances, then students will have the choice between applying the paid fee towards a future workshop or receiving a refund of workshop fees.
No refunds (partial or in full) will be given for workshop cancellations or delays due to inclement weather or natural disasters, travel delays, civil unrest or terrorist events, pandemics or other health concerns, or other events beyond our control regardless of when these events my occur (before, during, or after a workshop). In the event a workshop is cancelled or delayed due to events beyond our control we will do our best to apply workshop fees as a credit towards any other workshop (based on availability) within one calendar year of the original workshop start date.
Any refunds issued, regardless of the reason for cancellation, will be less all fees associated with the client’s chosen payment method (PayPal fees, etc.) and any non-refundable expenses we have already paid or $75, whichever is greater.
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COVID Cancellation Policy
If we must cancel any workshop due to COVID restrictions then your payment is 100% transferable to a future workshop (less any expenses incurred by Mandy Lea Photo that cannot be recovered), based on availability. Any client cancellations due to COVID will be evaluated individually. We are not able to offer refunds on deposits at any time and not able to offer refunds on the paid-in-full amount within 60 days of the start of a workshop. We cannot guarantee that we can transfer a client to a different workshop if they choose to cancel due to COVID.
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“Rain or Shine” Workshops
Mandy Lea Photo workshops are subject to inclement weather just like everything else in life. All workshops will go on as planned even in inclement weather as long as risks to the group are minimized. In the event of a natural disaster or other life-threatening weather the workshop may be cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled. No refunds will be given for delays or cancellations due to inclement weather or natural disasters.
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Scheduling
All workshop itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of Mandy Lea Photo based on weather conditions, park closures, permitting, civil unrest, health and safety considerations, or other circumstances not listed here. With this in mind, we generally do not provide a detailed itinerary in advance of workshops since we are always open to changing the itinerary to better enhance the experience for clients.
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Trip Protection Insurance
Mandy Lea Photo will not be held responsible for any expenses/losses that occur as a result of participating in a workshop. Mandy Lea Photo will also not be held responsible for any losses incurred by clients resulting from any cancelled/delayed/rescheduled workshop regardless of the reason for cancelling, delaying, or rescheduling. These expenses/losses include, but are not limited to, airline tickets, lodging, car rentals, damaged or lost equipment/luggage, rental camera gear, medical expenses, automobile maintenance or towing, lost wages, etc.
It is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase Trip Protection Insurance and refundable tickets when booking any workshop as there are many factors that may cause last minute changes or cancellations to the workshop. We’ve never had to cancel a workshop for personal reasons, but we have cancelled workshops due to park closures. There’s always the possibility for circumstances that are out of our control.
Workshop Transportation
Air and ground transportation to/from each workshop is the responsibility of each attendee unless otherwise stated. Transportation during each workshop is also the responsibility of each attendee unless otherwise stated. We will do our best to coordinate carpooling during workshops to minimize the total number of vehicles we have. Due to parking limitations, we cannot guarantee that each person who prefers to drive will be able to drive during a workshop.
Some workshops involve driving to locations on rough, dirt roads where four-wheel drive and high-clearance is absolutely necessary. While we will do our best to arrange capable vehicles for clients, we cannot make any guarantees that we will have enough vehicles for all clients to access these locations. In the event we do not have enough capable vehicles we will not go to these difficult locations. We highly encourage clients flying in for a workshop that requires four-wheel drive and high-clearance to rent appropriate vehicles.
We will not be held responsible for any repair and/or recovery costs or damage to personal property, including vehicles, or lease/rental property, including vehicles, regardless of the roads driven during a workshop.
Pet Policy
Most of our workshops take place in National Parks and other places where pets are generally not allowed. Typically, we have long days away from the hotel/campground that make it extremely difficult to care for pets during a workshop. With that in mind, it’s highly discouraged to bring along pets during workshops unless they can be left alone for 10 or more hours at a time. We will not alter our workshop schedule to accommodate for any pets. We also will not alter our selected restaurants to accommodate for any pets. We will not allow extra vehicles during workshops for the sole purpose of bringing pets along. If you choose to bring a pet to a workshop it is highly encouraged to find a place to board the pet during the workshop.
We gladly allow service animals (not to be confused with emotional support animals). These are animals that are specifically trained to provide assistance to a disabled person defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pets whose function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
We reserve the right to ask anyone with a pet or service animal to leave a workshop based on negative animal behavior including, but not limited to, excessive barking/growling, not being under owner’s control, acting aggressive, attacking people or wildlife, disturbing people or wildlife, owner not picking up pet feces, or other items not listed here.
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Acknowledgement of Risks
In consideration of the services of Mandy Lea Photo, LLC, their officers, agents, employees, volunteers, and stockholders, and all other persons or entities associated with those businesses (hereafter collectively referred to as “ Mandy Lea Photo”) I agree as follows:
Although Mandy Lea Photo has taken reasonable steps to provide me with appropriate equipment and skilled guides so I can enjoy an activity for which I may not be skilled, Mandy Lea Photo has informed me this activity is not without risk. Certain risks are inherent in each activity and cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the activity. These inherent risks are some of the same elements that contribute to the unique character of this activity and can be the cause of loss or damage to my equipment, or accidental injury, illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma or death. Mandy Lea Photo does not want to frighten me or reduce my enthusiasm for this activity, but believes it is important for me to know in advance what to expect and to be informed of the inherent risks. The following describes some, but not all, of those risks:
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment resulting from any activity engaged in during a workshop. This includes, but is not limited to, driving, walking, hiking, dining, camping, photographing, or any other activity not listed.
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment resulting from exposure to any sort of public health crisis, such as COVID-19 or any other not listed.
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment resulting from exposure to the elements. This includes, but is not limited to, exposure to heat, cold, sun, rain, snow, lightning, winds, storms, floods, altitude, wildfires, or other unforeseen environmental exposure.
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment resulting from exposure to plant life and/or wildlife. This includes, but is not limited to, animal attacks, stings, bites, allergic reactions, exposure to poisonous plant life, or any other encounter with plant life and/or wildlife.
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Damage of any kind to any personal property or property belonging to others during any workshop whether it is owned, leased, rented, borrowed, or otherwise. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to any vehicle used in transport to/from the workshop and during the workshop, damage to any camera gear or other electronic devices, damage to any backpacking or camping gear, or damage to any other personal property not listed.
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment inflicted upon others (both other workshop clients and people not affiliated with the workshop) by another (both other workshop clients and people not affiliated with the workshop).
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment inflicted upon others or yourself (both other workshop clients and people not affiliated with the workshop) by dogs or other animals (including service animals) that a client brings to a workshop.
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Health effects, injuries, death, or dismemberment resulting from any sort of civil unrest, terrorist activities, natural disasters, or other things beyond our control.
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Lost property, including but not limited to, camera gear, electronic devices, wallets/purses, camping and backpacking gear, articles of clothing, or any other personal property not listed whether it is owned, leased, rented, borrowed, or otherwise.
I am aware that any photography workshop, backpacking trip, guided hike, rally, or other activity provided by Mandy Lea Photo entails risks of injury or death to any participant. I understand the description of these inherent risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated inherent risks may result in injury or death. I agree to assume and accept full responsibility for the inherent risks identified herein and those inherent risks not specifically identified. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary; no one is forcing me to participate, and I elect to participate in spite of and with full knowledge of the inherent risks.
I acknowledge that engaging in this activity may require a degree of skill and knowledge different from other activities and that I have responsibilities as a participant. I acknowledge that the staff of Mandy Lea Photo has been available to more fully explain to me the nature and physical demands of this activity and the inherent risks, hazards, and dangers associated with this activity.
I certify that I and all other people for whom I am registering are fully capable of participating in this activity. Therefore, I assume and accept full responsibility for myself, including all other adults for whom I am registering and all minor children in my care, custody, and control, for bodily injury, death, or loss/damage of personal property and expenses as a result of those inherent risks and dangers identified herein and those inherent risks and dangers not specifically identified, and as a result of my negligence in participating in this activity.
I and all other people for whom I am registering have carefully read, clearly understood, and accepted the terms and conditions stated herein and acknowledge that by signing up and paying for any workshop (deposit or paying in full) that this agreement shall be effective and binding upon me, my heirs, assigns, personal representative, and estate and for all members of my family, including minor children.
Risk Waiver
Upon arrival at each Mandy Lea Photo workshop students will be asked to read and sign an acknowledgement of risk and/or liability waiver. This is a requirement for all students.
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Insurance Coverage
Mandy Lea Photo, LLC workshops are fully insured.
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Again, by signing up and paying for any workshop (deposit or paying in full) all clients acknowledge that they have both read and agree to everything listed in this Terms and Conditions page.