OUR SERVICES

Face The Outdoors Photography, hereby referred to as FTOP, provides guided photography workshops. These Terms and Conditions apply to every FTOP workshop. Where an individual workshop carries unique terms, those terms appear on that workshop's page and override the general terms below, except for the Cancellation Policy, which applies to every workshop.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We understand that life happens. If you need to cancel a reservation, please contact FTOP as soon as possible. All cancellations must be requested by email to [email protected]. We strongly recommend that every participant purchase Travel Insurance to cover non-refundable fees and travel expenses.

At the time of booking, you may pay a deposit or the full workshop amount. If you pay the deposit, a reminder for the remaining balance will be sent ahead of the balance-due date stated in the workshop description, before the workshop start date.

Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits are used to secure lodging, guides, and other arrangements for the workshop as soon as they are paid.

If you find someone to take your place on the workshop, your deposit and any payments you have made will transfer to that person.

If FTOP is able to fill your spot, all money you have paid, including your deposit, will be refunded.

If your spot is not filled, refunds follow the timeline below:

Cancellations 121 days or more before the workshop: all money paid beyond the deposit will be refunded. Your deposit can be applied to a future workshop within 365 days of the cancellation date.

Cancellations 120–91 days before the workshop: 75% will be refunded, less the non-refundable deposit.

Cancellations 90–61 days before the workshop: 50% will be refunded, less the non-refundable deposit.

Cancellations 60–0 days before the workshop are not eligible for a refund unless FTOP is able to fill your spot.

No refunds are given for individually customized workshops. However, you may reschedule to a different date within 365 days of the cancellation date.

We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Insurance to cover non-refundable deposits and workshop fees.

PAYMENTS AND PROCESSING FEES

Workshop payments are handled through our third-party booking platform, WeTravel, which manages checkout, payment records, and balance reminders. At checkout you may choose to pay by bank account (ACH) or by credit card. A payment-processing fee is applied to each transaction; this fee is set and collected by the processor and is not retained by FTOP. The bank-account (ACH) option carries a lower processing fee than credit card. The applicable fee is displayed at checkout before you confirm payment.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Where lodging is included in a workshop, the occupancy basis — single or shared — is stated on that workshop's page. For single-occupancy workshops, each participant has their own private room, and no shared-room or single-supplement arrangement applies. Included lodging covers only the published workshop dates. Any nights before or after the workshop, and all travel to and from the workshop location, are the participant's responsibility.

Where lodging is not included, the participant books and pays for their own accommodations directly; FTOP may arrange a discounted rate but is not party to the reservation.

NON-PHOTOGRAPHER COMPANIONS

Non-photographer companions — such as a spouse, partner, or family member — may be permitted to accompany a participant on select workshops on a case-by-case basis, subject to available space. Companions must be arranged with FTOP before booking. To inquire, contact [email protected].

Whether a companion fee applies, and what it is, depends on what the companion uses. Our workshops differ considerably from one another. Some are built around included lodging, group transportation, and locations where access, accommodations, or vessel capacity are strictly limited. Others include no lodging at all, and participants book their own rooms. A companion fee reflects the place and the arrangements that companion occupies on that particular workshop, and nothing else.

Where lodging and group transportation are included, or where the number of places is limited by accommodations, vehicle, vessel, or permit capacity, a companion occupies a place in the group. On those workshops a companion fee always applies, including when the companion shares a room with a participant, and depending on the location that fee may equal the full participant rate.

Where lodging is not included and a companion is not taking part in the workshop activities, there may be a reduced fee or no fee at all. A companion who wishes to join any portion of the workshop in the field, including any activity requiring its own equipment, seat, or craft, pays a fee for that portion.

Because of these differences, companion fees are quoted individually for each workshop and each request. They account for that workshop's accommodations, transportation, permits, and any per-person costs charged by local operators or third-party providers. FTOP will confirm the arrangement and any applicable fee in writing before booking, and no companion arrangement is in effect until it has been confirmed.

Companions are welcome to sit in on group image review and post-processing sessions.

Companions are welcome to accompany the group to shooting locations and join group activities where space and access allow. FTOP workshops are structured around photography, which typically involves pre-dawn departures, extended time waiting for optimal light, and a schedule driven by shooting conditions. Companions should be comfortable with this pace.

Companions are subject to these Terms and Conditions, must complete the same liability waiver as participants, and are subject to the same insurance requirements as participants.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Any non-refundable fees paid to a third party in connection with your workshop cannot be refunded.

FTOP cannot offer partial refunds for unused Services. If you have to cut your workshop short, no refunds can be given.

A deposit can only be transferred to another person when that person takes your place on the same workshop.

If you are not present at the time of workshop departure, we will try our best to contact you. We cannot offer any refunds for no-shows.

WORKSHOP CANCELLATION

FTOP will do everything in its power to prevent workshop cancellation. However, in the event a workshop must be cancelled due to low participation, guide sickness, accident or death, or the passage of law or any action taken by a governmental or public authority — including changes in quota, restrictions, or prohibitions — FTOP will promptly refund all fees paid, minus non-refundable fees paid to third parties. Should this unfortunate event occur, FTOP will inform all participants as soon as possible. FTOP is not responsible for your personal travel expenses or any other expenses incurred in preparing for the workshop. It is for this reason, among others, that we strongly recommend you purchase Travel Insurance.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

FTOP does not provide medical, health, accident, travel, trip-cancellation, trip-interruption, evacuation, baggage, personal property, or equipment insurance, or any other form of insurance for participants.

Insurance is required for every workshop. It is the participant's responsibility to obtain insurance appropriate for participation in the workshop, including emergency evacuation coverage.

For international workshops, comprehensive travel insurance is required, including coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or damaged baggage, and personal property, adequate for the destination country and the activities involved in the workshop.

The participant accepts full financial responsibility for all losses, expenses, and damages not covered by their own insurance, including medical treatment, hospitalization, evacuation, repatriation, and property loss or damage. FTOP is not responsible for any health or injury liability or camera equipment damage.

MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

In the event of injury, illness, or emergency, the participant authorizes FTOP to arrange emergency medical treatment, transportation, evacuation, or hospitalization on the participant's behalf if the participant is unable to provide consent. FTOP is not obligated to provide medical care, and any assistance provided is voluntary. The participant is responsible for all medical, evacuation, rescue, transportation, and related expenses incurred on their behalf.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

FTOP does not require any COVID testing. However, the health and safety of our participants and staff are our foremost priority. Anyone with active symptoms of a transmissible disease must wear a mask or refrain from attending the workshop until those symptoms resolve.

FTOP's workshops can be physically demanding. FTOP clearly labels each workshop with a Physical Difficulty Rating. It is the participant's sole responsibility to ensure they have sufficient fitness for their intended workshop.

FTOP strongly advises that participants purchase Travel Insurance to protect against any unexpected changes, interruptions, or cancellations due to health or illness.

ITINERARY CHANGES AND DELAYS

FTOP will do its best to honor the published itinerary. However, there are circumstances outside our control that may cause changes or omissions. Examples include inclement weather, geopolitical events, unexpected closures, transportation delays, sickness, or other events identified in the Workshop Cancellation section above. No refunds are given for these adverse circumstances.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

FTOP reserves the right to accept or decline a participant for any reason allowable by law. FTOP expects all participants to act in a polite and law-abiding manner and to follow all instructions, safety briefings, and guidance provided by FTOP and any third-party guides, drivers, or operators. Any illegal activity, drunkenness, illegal drug use, reckless or unsafe conduct, poor treatment of other participants or staff, disrespectfulness, and the like will not be tolerated. FTOP reserves the right to terminate a participant's participation at any time if, in FTOP's sole judgment, the participant's conduct, health, or fitness endangers the participant, other participants, or FTOP personnel, or if the participant fails to comply with instructions. Participants removed from a workshop are sent home at their own expense, and no refund will be provided.

RELEASE OF PHOTO/VIDEO RIGHTS

FTOP reserves the right to take photographs, videos, and/or sound recordings during its workshops. The resulting media may be used in whole or in part for promotional purposes, including but not limited to advertising and publicity in both print and electronic media. By booking a workshop with FTOP, the participant agrees to allow his/her likeness to be used by FTOP without compensation. If the participant prefers that his/her likeness not be used, he/she must notify FTOP in writing prior to the scheduled workshop. We also reserve the right to use, in whole or in part, any written reviews or feedback you may provide in our advertising and publicity in both print and electronic media.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

FTOP may work with third-party hotel operators, transportation providers, food and beverage establishments, and other independent service providers for its workshops. Although FTOP strives to use good and reputable service providers, their individual actions are not subject to FTOP's control. Neither FTOP, its affiliates, owners, employees and contractors, nor any associated organization shall be held liable for any act, injury, loss, expense, damage, deviation, delay, curtailment, or inconvenience caused to or suffered by any person or their property. FTOP disclaims any liability for any: (a) act, neglect, or default of FTOP, or of any persons for whom it would otherwise be responsible, or (b) defects or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle, or other equipment or instrumentality under the control of independent suppliers. In addition, FTOP cannot be liable for delays in departure or interruption of your travel arrangements caused by weather conditions, technical problems with any transportation mode or other equipment or instrumentality, or any causes beyond the control of FTOP. In no event will FTOP be responsible for incidental, consequential, or special damage or loss suffered by any person. FTOP's maximum liability, for any reason whatsoever, will be limited to the amount paid to FTOP for its Services.

In issuing tickets and coupons for transportation of the purchaser by any means, and in making arrangements for hotel or other accommodation, FTOP is not acting as principal but only as agent for the other companies, corporations, or persons. The participant further understands that FTOP neither owns, controls, nor operates such third-party suppliers, and accordingly agrees to seek remedies directly and only against those suppliers, and not to hold FTOP responsible for their acts, negligence, or omissions.

Without limitation, FTOP is not responsible for any injury to person or damage to property arising out of any negligent acts or omissions of itself or of any persons for whom it would otherwise be responsible, or acts which are beyond its control, including but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, weather emergencies, breakdown or failure of mechanical equipment, government actions, inclement weather, sickness, attacks by animals, availability of emergency evacuation, medical care or the adequacy of the same, criminal activity of any kind, terrorism, war, civil disturbance, sanitary conditions, quality or sanitation of food, quarantine, customs, regulations, epidemics, strikes, travel provider overbooking, safety and/or security standards at hotels, accommodations, or otherwise, any problems or injuries whatsoever arising from hiking, or for any other reason beyond the control of FTOP. The participant is solely responsible for any costs for medical evacuation, use of aircraft, or other unplanned expense.

GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION, AND FORUM

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Alaska, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, the participant's participation in a workshop, or the participant's relationship with FTOP shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of Alaska. The participant consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts and waives any objection to jurisdiction or venue in those courts.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTICIPANT KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THE PARTICIPANT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OR THE PARTICIPANT'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKSHOP.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK

The participant on any FTOP workshop understands and acknowledges that travel on an organized workshop with FTOP may involve risk and potential exposure to injury and possibly death. You also realize and acknowledge that these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence, fault, or wrongdoing of the owners, employees, or contractors of FTOP, or of other participants, contractors, and/or subcontractors of FTOP. Risk and dangers may arise from foreseeable and unforeseeable causes. The participant fully understands and acknowledges that the aforementioned risks, dangers, and hazards are a potential in connection with your workshop.

EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK

In recognition of the inherent risk of the travel and related activities in which you intend to engage, you confirm that you are physically and mentally capable of participating in the activity, that you are willingly and knowingly electing to participate in this workshop in spite of the potential risk of danger, and that you knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily assume full responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage suffered by you or caused by you, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence, fault, or wrongdoing — whether expected or not — of the owners, employees, contractors, or subcontractors of FTOP, or of other participants. You understand and acknowledge that, due to the remoteness of where we travel, emergency evacuation and/or search and rescue may be delayed or unavailable, and that medical facilities and supplies may be limited; you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to assess the impact such limitations may have on any existing medical condition(s). You understand and acknowledge that FTOP reserves the right to accept or reject any participant for any legal reason, and that FTOP or its guide has the right to disqualify you from any workshop activity if, in FTOP's judgment, you are incapable of that activity and/or your continued participation will endanger yourself or the safety of the group. It is your responsibility and obligation to inform FTOP, at the time your reservation is made, of any medical or physical disability, including food allergies, or any limitation that might disable you or render you unable to perform or safely complete the workshop or any activity on it. You further acknowledge that you are the best judge of your own conditions and limitations, and that it is incumbent upon you to fully disclose the full extent of any such conditions or limitations to FTOP.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

In consideration of the Services and arrangements provided by FTOP, you, for yourself and for your heirs, personal representatives, or assigns, do hereby release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, and agree to indemnify FTOP and its owners, agents, employees, contractors, subcontractors, and affiliates from any and all claims, actions, or losses for bodily injury, emotional injury or distress, property damage, wrongful death, loss of Services, lost profits, consequential, exemplary, indirect, or punitive damages, or otherwise, which may arise out of or occur during your travel in connection with FTOP's Services and any activities conducted in conjunction therewith. YOU SPECIFICALLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE RELEASING, DISCHARGING, AND WAIVING ANY CLAIMS OR ACTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE PRESENTLY OR IN THE FUTURE FOR THE NEGLIGENT ACTS, OMISSIONS, OR CONDUCT OF THE OWNERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS, AGENTS, OR AFFILIATES OF FTOP.

This release does not extend to claims arising from the gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of FTOP, to the extent such claims cannot lawfully be waived, and you are not required to indemnify FTOP for its sole gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Some jurisdictions do not permit the waiver of certain claims; to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this release shall remain in full force and effect.

PARTICIPANT RELEASE

Every participant must sign the FTOP Participant Release and Acknowledgment of Risks for their workshop before departure. If anything in these Terms and Conditions conflicts with the signed Participant Release on liability, assumption of risk, indemnification, insurance, medical authorization, or dispute resolution, the signed Participant Release governs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By booking this workshop, you have, on the date booked, read and understood these terms and conditions. I acknowledge that these terms and conditions affect my legal rights, and I agree to be bound by their terms. My booking also signifies my intention (on behalf of myself and all other customers/participants for whom I am purchasing the package) to relieve and indemnify Face The Outdoors LLC, d/b/a "Face The Outdoors," d/b/a "Face The Outdoors Photography," its owners, employees, affiliates, agents, contractors, and subcontractors from any liability for personal injury, emotional injury or distress, property damage, or wrongful death which I/we might suffer during participation in FTOP's Services.