Payment Policy:
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and PayPal through our secure shopping cart and your credit card or bank transfer via PayPal through PhotoShelter. Personal and business checks are accepted, but merchandise will not be shipped until the check has cleared (approx. 10 days). NOTE: If you elect to use PayPal, it is not required that you create a PayPal account to complete the checkout process. However, if you do select the PayPal option, you will still be required to provide all of the normal billing, shipping, and payment information through our secure link (SSL) or through the secure link at PhotoShelter (see our Privacy Policy for more details).
Money Orders, Cashier's/Certified checks, Traveler's checks, and similar payment vehicles are not accepted..
If you aren't certain which trip you should take, workshop or class to attend, are unclear about available dates, pricing, fees, or require other infomration, please feel free to contact me by phone at 208-466-9340 or through my Contact Page. We'll be happy to answer your questions and offer suggestions for a workshop, trip or class based on your needs and expectations, equipment, physical condition, areas of interest, etc.
Now for the legalese:
Registration and Deposit: A booking deposit will secure your reservation for any photography Workshop or trip (herein referred to as "Workshop"), based on availability. Because of changes in the policies of other travel services, such as non-refundable prepayment of airline fares, guide fees, room reservations, vehicle reservations, among others, your booking deposit is non-redundable. The trip description will state when deposits and balance payments are due. Deposit and additional Workshop payments (such as balance due or reservations for optional excursions) may be made via our shopping cart (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), personal or business check, or PayPal. All monies must be received by the date or dates indicated for each specific Workshop. Workshop fees may vary based on length and location of the Workshop, travel arrangements, fees, lodging, meals and, in some cases, taxes and gratuities. Workshop fees are quoted in US dollars and must be paid in same. If any required payments are not made, we reserve the right to treat your reservation as cancelled (see cancellations below).
Tour minimums: For most Workshops there is a minimum number for the Workshop or tour to occur. These minimums are clearly stated in the description. These minimums help reduce the overall cost of the tour. Tours with less than the minimum number may be held, but an additional small group charge will be assessed. Participants who have already made deposit payments will be notified of a below-minimum Workshop, small group charges due related to that Workshop, and will be given the opportunity to opt-in or out of the Workshop at that time. See Cancellations, below, for more information
Cancellations and Refunds: Cancellations on the part of the participant must be made in writing or email and received by our office by US Mail, courier, or confirmed email per the schedule listed below unless otherwise stated in the Workshop description. A phone call from the participant is also recommended to confirm receipt of his or her written cancellation. Travel, guide, and other transportation fees may not be refundable. Cancellation fees/dates are as follows on all workshops:
Cancellation of a Workshop or trip more than 120 days prior to the departure/start date will receive a refund of the Workshop fee minus the non-refundable deposit and any non-refundable prepaid expenses related to the Workshop. If your spot can be filled, those fees (minus your deposit) may be refunded at a later date.
Between 90 - 120 days prior to the departure/start date will receive 50% of the Workshop fee, minus the non-refundable deposit and other non-refundable prepaid expenses related to the Workshop.
If you cancel within 90 days of the departure/start date, you will be charged 100% of the Workshop fee.
If Blue Planet Photography, LLC receives deposits that do not meet the minimum for a given Workshop, participants who have paid their deposit will be notified and given the opportunity to continue with the Workshop with an additional small group surcharge. The amount of the small group surcharge will be given as part of the notification. Participants who opt out will receive a refund of their deposit, minus any non-refundable prepaid expenses related to the Workshop.
Cancellations or rescheduling of Workshops on the part of Blue Planet Photography, LLC may be made resulting from certain foreboding circumstances beyond the control of Blue Planet Photography, LLC. We also retain the right to cancel or reschedule any Workshop when inadequate enrollment makes the Workshop economically unfeasible for our company. In those rare cases, particpants who have paid an initial deposit will be notified via email or phone after the deposit due date has passed. A full refund will be made by business check or we can apply deposits or other monies to another Workshop in the 12-month period following the original booking. However, Blue Planet Photography, LLC will not be responsible for additional loss or expense incurred by the Workshop participant and/or his or her non-photographing guests, such as airline tickets, airline cancellation fees, travel insurance, guide fees, and other related charges. Please be assured, however, that it is with the utmost consideration that Blue Planet Photography, LLC ever considers such cancellations.
Some workshops and trips require special preparation, such as deposit and balance due dates in advance of the policy described above. Cancellation information regarding those specific instances will be stated in the Workshop description and supercede this policy.
Trip Insurance: We strongly encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. Considering all possibilities for airline issues, natural disasters and acts of God, death of immediate family member, personal illness, a new job or relocation, or other unforeseen reasons, we advise you to seriously consider obtaining this type of insurance to protect your investment. Blue Planet Photography, LLC, it's Workshop instructors, employees, guides, or assigns are not responsible for losses incurred by a cancelled Workshop. Please click on the following links for more information:
www.travelinsurancereview.net: Reviews of travel insurance companies, information about various travel insurance policies and other travel info.
www.squaremouth.com: Multiple comparison quotes from reputable travel insurance companies.
www.insuremytrip.com: Another site
providing multiple comparison quotes from reputable travel insurance companies.
www.travelguard.com: A travel insurance company.
www.travelsafe.com: A travel insurance company.
Guest Rates: In some cases, allowances are made for non-photographing guest(s) to accompany a participating photographer (one who enrolls in a Workshop). Please inquire about any applicable fees that may result, as costs may vary from Workshop to Workshop. Please note that some Workshops and tours include lodging, meals, and recreation for non-photographing guests. Other tours may provide fewer opportunities for non-photographing guests. These limitations will be described, if needed.
Some opportunities may be offered to photographers to accompany Mike Shipman on personal photo trips or extended days before or after a Workshop. On these trips, Accommodation and on-location transportation only will be included. The guest will be responsible for all other expenses related to their participation.
Items not included in Workshop fee: Airfare and travel between gateway city and home, excess baggage charges, passport and visa costs, medical prescriptions, doctor visits, insurance or other medical expenses, personal items, baggage or trip cancellation insurance, tips and gratuities, optional excursions, some or all meals (as described in the tour information), alcohol, all other expenses, costs, and fees not included in the Workshop fee as described.
Release and Assumption of Risk Waiver: All Workshop participants and/or non-photographing guests must agree to all terms and conditions of these "Workshop Policies" and complete and sign a "Release and Assumption of Risk" waiver. This agreement is a prerequisite and condition to participating in or taking part of any and all Workshops or events with Blue Planet Photography, LLC. Your payment for any Workshop or event with Blue Planet Photography, LLC constitutes full agreement to said policies and waiver and is as binding as your signature. Refusal to agree to this waiver automatically cancels and/or revokes your registration to participate; and your registration and/or enrollment will be considered as a cancellation.
Model Release: By participating in a Blue Planet Photography, LLC Workshop and signing the provided waivers, you consent that any and all photographs and/or video tapes of you or that include your property may be used by Blue Planet Photography, LLC and/or its assigns in promotional and/or advertising efforts for no fee and/or compensation.
Special Terms and Conditions: Whether the Workshop in which you are participating is held on private, public, or government lands, you agree to abide by all rules, restrictions, and ordinances governing such lands and property. You also agree to respect the rights of other Workshop participants, leaders, and those providing services to or for said Workshop. Failure to comply with any governing rules or authority may result in the removal of the participant from said Workshop or related activity with no provisions for refund. Blue Planet Photography, LLC reserves the right to stop a Workshop or remove individuals at any time it is felt a participant is a danger to other members or him/herself. It is the responsibility of Workshop participants to be in good physical condition and to notify Blue Planet Photography, LLC of any medical, dietary, or physical needs.
All Workshop itineraries are tentative (subjects, events, times). Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather and other environmental conditions, direct or indirect logistical arrangements, transportation plans, health conditions of Workshop participants and/or instructors, employees, guides, or assigns, and/or any other factors deemed to be relevant by Blue Planet Photography, LLC. However, we will make every effort to rearrange or substitute activities of equal value, if possible.
Registration: Full registration fee is required at least 7 days prior to the class start date to reserve your place unless otherwise arranged. Registrations are accepted up to 3 days before a class or workshop on a space-available basis, with full payment due at the time of registration unless otherwise arranged.
Gift Certificates: Gift certificates expire 1 year from date of purchase. The expiration date is printed on the gift certificate.
Cancellations: No refunds are given for cancellations. If a student cancels their participation prior to the start of the class, class fees paid can be applied to a future class date in the 12 month period following the original class start date, or applied to a workshop. Sessions cancelled by the instructor will be made up at no additional charge, including one-on-one make-ups.
Missed class or workshop sessions: may be made up within a 3-month period on a space available basis, at no additional charge. Arrangements can be made for one-on-one make-ups for an additional fee of $90 per missed session.
Syllabus and Supplies: A list of supplies and syllabus will be sent to you as confirmation of your registration.
Blue Planet Photography, LLC carefully inspects all items prior to shipping to ensure quality. All items are securely packaged to minimize or eliminate damage during transit. Merchandise Blue Planet Photography will exchange items damaged in shipping (see below) but does not otherwise refund purchases.
Custom Orders: Custom ordered items are not refundable.
Damage Claims: All items are carefully inspected prior to shipping and packed securely. However, on rare occasions items are damaged in shipping. All items are insured with the carrier. Purchasers are required to notify Blue Planet Photography (use our Contact Form or call 208.466.9340) and contact the delivery carrier within 5 days of receipt of a damaged item to begin the exchange process.
Keep all original packaging, cartons and containers until the claims resolution is completed. The delivery carrier may need to inspect these items.
For shipments received via FedEx: 1.800.GoFedEx (1.800.463.3339)or www.fedex.com
For shipments received via UPS: 1.800.PICK.UPS (1.800.742.5877) or www.ups.com