Quick Facts and Useful Info
Below you will find our purchase protection program as well as answers to commonly asked questions and our policies.
We now offer Purchase Protection
We now offer purchase protection insurance when you book any tour or workshop with Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures through Fanshield.
Purchase Protection protects you from unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from attending. The top reasons include, but are not limited to:
- Illness & Health
- Traffic Accidents
- Family Emergencies
- Severe Weather
- Military or Jury Duty
- Serious Injury
- and more...
All you need to do is add on the purchase protection when paying for your booking. There is a small fee attached for the insurance and will be included on your booking invoice.
Please see the TourShield Terms for refund details and conditions applicable.
Our Guaranteed Weather
Well, we can't actually guarantee the perfect conditions for photographing landscapes in Banff. However, we can reschedule your booking to any future date at no extra cost. The only restrictions are based on the guides availability.
I'm a total beginner to Photography. Is that OK?
Absolutely! As long as you are passionate about photography, we love helping people of any skill level from absolute beginner to professional. Our approachable style and easy going personality will help you to get great landscape images that you will be proud to show off to friends and family for years to come.
What is a private guided landscape photography workshop?
Our private guided landscape photography tours with Mark Unrau or Maxim are one-on-one workshops where we will pick you up from your hotel and take you out to photograph and learn how to strengthen your photography at different landscape locations throughout Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies.
Will we be doing lots of hiking?
Fortunately, Banff National Park has the best landscape photography opportunities very close to where we will park. We do not need to hike very far from the tour van to get amazing landscape images! However, depending on the location we can travel up to 2 Km from the road.
Do you have landscape locations that are off the beaten track?
This is always the most difficult question to answer. It really depends on what you mean by off the beaten track. Many of the best and most iconic landscapes in Banff are easily accessed. Because of this it of course attracts many other photographers, so there is a good chance we might see some other keen people where we will be going. There are some places that are not as visited outside of the National Parks and we are happy to go to these locations, but they do take longer to get to and may not be appropriate during the short time we have together.
My trip was canceled at the last minute!
We totally understand that sometimes your plans may go sideways and have to cancel your trip to the Canadian Rockies. Just like the weather, sometimes things are unpredictable. In light of this, we are happy to reschedule your booking to any available date in the future!
Get extra protection with Tourshield when paying for your booking and you'll qualify for a refund under the terms through TourShield!
Does my partner have to pay even though they are not a photographer?
Everyone who joins Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures on a group tour must pay. Alternatively, if someone would like to join but not participate in the photography, we have private guided tours where we do not charge a fee for a tag along. Please see details here
What kind of camera equipment do I need?
We work with any kind of camera from medium format to an iPhone. So whatever gear you have you will learn how to make better pictures with it. As they say, "The best camera is the one you have"
When do you typically start your workshops and tours?
We want to make sure we are at our first location with enough time for you to get set up and be ready to photograph sunrise. Sunrise is the most spectacular time to photograph in Banff and we don't want you to miss it!
What should I wear on my workshop or tour?
Summer:
The Canadian Rockies is a fairly arid climate at a high altitude. Because of this, even in summer it can be quite chilly first thing in the morning. Here are some recommendations:
- Warm sweater
- Hiking shoes with sturdy sole and tread (waterproof are ideal like Gortex)
- Spring Jacket/Rain coat
Winter:
The Canadian Rockies are cold in winter. Be prepared for subzero temperatures that can feel like -20 degrees celsius or less with the windchill. Factor in our start and finish times and you’ve got some potentially frigid temperatures. While we’ll have hand warmers, hot drinks and a hot lunch to help warm you up, you’ll need to dress for the weather. Wear base layers (including warm socks), a warm coat, snow pants, winter boots and be sure to bring your toque and gloves. Our van is nice and warm so you’ll have plenty of time to defrost between photo locations.
Do you offer Post Processing workshops?
Yes we do! We can either offer it as part of our private guided tours or as a stand alone offering. Just include your request when you fill out our private guided workshop form or send us an email!
Terms and Conditions
Cancellation And Refund Policy
When you book and the activity is confirmed:
- All our Private Guiding and Workshops, you have 24 hours from when you make your booking to change or cancel with no charge to you (provided your booking is not within 48 hours of the event). After this 24 hour period, there are no refunds. If something happens and you are unable to make it to your Private Guiding Session or Workshop, the booking can be switched to a future date and will never expire. You also may transfer your booking to another person or a gift certificate.
- We will gladly accept a substitute guest should you not be able to attend or a credit to your account which can be used to book another date or activity.
Should Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures cancel a group activity, your registration will be transferred to the next available event date which you are able to attend. If you are unable to attend any future dates your registration fee will be refunded.
In the case of unforeseen circumstances where the photography guide or group workshop leader you have booked cannot make it to your session, Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures reserves the right to replace that guide with another qualified guide in order to maintain our commitment to your booking.
Weather and Mountain Conditions Policy
Mountain weather is unpredictable in all seasons and as much as we would like to, we cannot guarantee nice weather for every program. Most people who enjoy being in the mountains recognize and understand this but we want our guests to be informed when making mountain adventure decisions. Weather and mountain conditions are a constant factor that shape decisions we make before and during our programs. Even the most seasoned weather forecasters have a high degree of variability within their short term forecasts in the Canadian Rockies. When you make a booking in advance, in essence, you are taking a chance on weather conditions. It would not be practical for us to refund every situation where our guests do not get the weather for perfect photography conditions.
We will work diligently to give you the best experience with the conditions we face at the time. If on your program day you are not willing to venture out in the conditions or accept an alternative program, unfortunately, we will not be able to provide a credit or a refund since our costs have been already committed. We take your booking in good faith. We ask that you fully understand our cancellation policies prior to booking.
Release Of Liability
TO: ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOTO ADVENTURES.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Event may include private vehicular transportation, vehicular and pedestrian travel over rough terrain, wildlife, and weather events in respect of which Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures assumes no liability.
I understand that participating in such an Event is a potentially hazardous activity and can result in serious personal injury or death. I am aware of and expressly assume all risks associated with participating in this Event and I assert that my participation in this Event is voluntary. In consideration for being permitted to participate in this Event, I, for myself and for anyone entitled to act on my behalf, hereby WAIVE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE and save harmless, from any and all claims for injuries and damages I may have arising out of the Event or my participation in the Event, Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures and its respective affiliates, successors, officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors and representatives (the €œReleased Parties€). I also agree to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures from any liabilities or claims made by other individuals or entities as a result of my actions while participating in the Event.
I intend by this Waiver and Release, in advance, to waive my rights, to covenant not to sue, to release for future claims, and to discharge all of the Released Parties, from any and all loss or damage, including, but not limited to claims for damages for death, personal injury or property damage that I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of my participation in all or any portion of this Event, even though that liability may arise from negligence, carelessness, or recklessness (whether simple or gross) on the part of the Released Parties being released, from dangerous or defective property or equipment owned, maintained, or controlled by them or because of their possible liability without fault.
I understand and agree that this Waiver and Release is binding on my heirs, successors, executors, spouse, assigns, and legal representatives.
I attest that I am physically capable of participating in this Event. If l am aware of or under treatment for any physical infirmity, disorder, ailment, or illness, my medical care provider has been apprised of, and has approved of, my participation in this Event. I acknowledge that I and I alone, am solely responsible for my personal health and safety, and the personal property I bring with me. I consent to receive medical treatment which may be advisable in the event of illness or injuries suffered by me during this Event, and I agree to pay for the costs of any such medical treatment. I understand that Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures has advised me to discuss appropriate insurance and/or medical coverage in the circumstances with my providers. I agree that my participation in the Event is subject to the sole discretion of the organizers of the Event, and that my participation may be limited or terminated, with or without cause. I agree at all times to follow the instructions of Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures.
This Waiver and Release shall be interpreted and the rights of the parties determined under the laws of the province of Alberta. The Alberta courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute arising under, or pertaining to this Waiver and Release.
I have carefully read this Waiver and Release and fully understand its contents. I understand that this is a release of liability and a binding contract between myself and the Released Parties, and I sign it of my own free will. I understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue. I understand that I am signing this Waiver and Release freely and voluntarily, and with understanding of its contents, and intend my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.
Image Release
Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures may take images of you and any of your guests during any tour, workshop or photoshoot. You give permission for Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures to use these images on RMPA's website, Instagram account and Facebook page and advertisements for the sole purpose of promoting RMPA's products and services. Your image will never be resold or used outside of said purposes.
If the guest is under the age of 18, RMPA will only use images publicly with expressed consent from the client/guest.
If you do not want your image to be used for promotional purposes of RMPA, please write to RMPA declining useage of your image. You can email Mark Unrau at [email protected]
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