Frequently Asked Questions
I am not sure if I am experienced enough to join one of your photo tours?
Our tours are great for individuals of all levels of experience. Some folks know their gear and are looking for someone to take them to a great location and get them to the right place and the right time to make images. Other folks are new to photography and would like help learning how to maximize their gear and experience. We happily provide both services. Great locations, great guidance, and great assistance when needed.
Will transportation be provided?
Unless otherwise stated transportation will generally be the responsibility of each participant. Once people have arrived at the tour location, riding sharing will be encouraged, as we will often be going to areas with limited parking.
Will our tour leaders be shooting during the tour?
As our excursions will be guided tours, generally, the tour leader will be shooting along side the participants. Having our gear in the field, allows us to demonstrate different techniques, as well as lets us show instant results. However, our goal is to ensure that each participant has a great experience and returns home with images that they can be proud of, so if you have any questions, we will be there for you.
How will inclement weather affect our tour?
Weather is unpredictable and often doesn’t follow the forecast provided in the days before, so we will need to be prepared. In most cases, we will get out and shoot, as “bad weather” can provide great opportunity for dramatic skies, rich color, and interesting effects. If there is any indication of danger, or the weather is so bad that shooting is simply impossible, we will cancel the activities until it is safe or practical to resume shooting. During this time, we will be available to assist on an as needed basis for photo-processing questions or photo critiques. We are not able to offer a refund due to weather.
Will there be significant classroom time?
As mentioned on our About page, our goal is to provide photography tours to folks who are familiar with their gear and want find new places to shoot. Learning will be done in the field, unless as noted above, weather makes that impossible.
Is lodging included in the price of the tour?
Unless otherwise noted, each participant will be responsible for his or her lodging arrangements. Generally, we will block a section of rooms for our tour, so that all the participants can book reservations in the same location. There may be instances in which we book rooms; generally this will be for international tours only. We will clearly communicate these instances in the tour information.
How should I dress and what should I bring?
Each participant should be prepared for various weather conditions. When shooting at higher elevation, temperatures tend to be cooler. Being out early in the morning and late in the evening you will find temperatures tend to be much cooler than during mid-day. We recommend that participants dress in layers so they can adapt as necessary.
You should plan on the possibility of needing warm gloves, hats, hand-warmers in the spring. During all seasons we suggest bringing rain and wind resistant gear.
Generally, it is suggested that participants bring reliable and comfortable hiking boots, as these provide more protection and ankle support, and can be worn in all situations.
It is better to be over prepared. In certain cases, additional gear may be suggested in the tour notes, for example, when shooting rivers in the Great Smoky Mountains waders provide compositional advantages that may otherwise be unattainable.
What camera gear should I bring?
We will provide participants with a suggested list of camera equipment for each tour, but generally speaking, bring your “go to” lens, extra camera body (if you have one), extra memory cards (if shooting film, extra rolls of film), remote trigger, extra batteries, and battery charger. Depending on the length of the trip, you may wish to bring a laptop and card reader to back up your images.
Can I bring my significant other, who is not a photographer?
This depends on the location of the tour and whether or not the tour has a limit on the number of participants. Generally, we will limit the number of participants for a particular tour so that we can ensure that we can give each participant the attention he or she may need or desire during the tour.
For tours with limited space availability, non-shooting companions would need to register as a tour participant.
Are deposits required?
When applicable, the amount of the deposit will be indicated in the tour description and details.
When is full payment due?
For one day and weekend tours, full payment is due at the time of registration. For multiple day tours, full payment is due 60 days prior to the tour departure. You will receive a reminder approximately 2 weeks prior to the due date. If full payment is not received by the 60-day deadline, we reserve the right to charge the credit card on file. If you have chosen to pay by check and full payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation.
What is the cancellation policy?
For all multiple day (3-7 days) tours, a cancellation policy will be provided on the specific page detailing the tour. Cancellation requests must be made in writing either by U.S. mail or email. As there are no exceptions to the policy, we recommend that each participant obtain trip insurance to protect you in the event unexpected circumstances prevent you from attending the tour, including medical emergencies.
Under what circumstances will Road Runner Photography Tours cancel a photography tour?
We will do our very best to hold all scheduled tours, however, we do reserve the right to cancel a photography tour if our minimum number of participants for that tour has not been reached or for other unforeseen events. In the event a tour is cancelled, participants will be given the choice to either reschedule for a future tour or receive a full refund. Road Runner Photography Tours is not responsible for costs incurred (e.g., lodging and airfare) in association with a tour. We recommend participants to purchase trip insurance.
How do I pay for my registration?
Payment for registration fees and deposits can be made by check or PayPal. To register for a tour, follow the instructions in the tour description and details.
