What Exactly is a Kevin Adams Photo Tour?

These are photo tours that I organize and control myself. On many of the photo tours and workshops that I lead, my role is only to teach photography and guide people in in the field, while someone else handles most of the logistics. On such an event, I may not have control over every detail and I may not be able answer every question about how the tour operates. On a Kevin Adams Photo Tour, I am responsible for everything and if anything goes wrong, it's all on my shoulders.

All of my tours are listed on the Kevin Adams Photo Tours home page. But if you are unsure of who organizes an event, just follow the money. If you register by sending a check to me, it's an official Kevin Adams Photo Tour. If you send the check to someone else, that person will be in charge of the logistics.

What is Included on a Kevin Adams Photo Tour?

Everything! Get yourself and your camera to the beginning location and I’ll take it from there. While some other photo tours cost a little bit less, if you check the fine print you will see that these tours often do not include lodging, meals, on-site transportation, or any other expenses that you will have to pay. Once you factor all the costs involved, I think you will find my tours to be very reasonably priced.

Group Size

Enrollment is strictly limited and varies with each tour. Typically, a tour has less than 12 participants, but may have more if there is a co-leader. I have assistants on all tours who take care of the basic housekeeping chores. This allows any co-leaders and I to spend our time guiding and teaching photography.

Transportation

Each photo tour has a beginning location, which is usually the host hotel. It is your responsibility to get to that locality. From that point on, I take care of all transportation, whether by car, boat, beach buggy, dog sled, or rickshaw. On some tours operated by others, it is your responsibility to get from one shooting location to another, often resulting in long vehicle trains traveling on curvy mountain roads and always with the potential for becoming separated from the group or not having a suitable place to park. That won't happen on one of my tours.

Food

Have you ever eaten dinner with a group and spent thirty minutes trying to settle the tab because the restaurant refused to separate the charges? On a Kevin Adams Photo Tour you'll never have to worry about paying for a meal. The registration fee includes ALL meals occurring during the photo tour. We typically have breakfast at our lodging facility before heading out for the day. Lunch is enjoyed in the field during most tours. Dinner varies according to the tour. On some tours, we go to a local restaurant. On others, such as the Cape Lookout National Seashore tour, dinner is prepared for you on location. Snacks, soft drinks, and water are provided throughout the day. Wine, coffee, and dessert are available in the evenings.

Alcohol

"House" red and white wine is available in the evenings after dinner for all tours. On tours where we prepare dinner for you, house red and white wine is provided with your meal. If you desire another type of alcoholic beverage you must bring it yourself. On tours where we eat dinner at restaurants, you must pay for any alcoholic beverages you order.

Lodging

All lodging during the photo tour is included in the registration fee. On most tours, lodging is double occupancy, with the option of a single occupancy upgrade. On some tours, we stay at rental lodges or other types of facilities at which we cannot offer this option. Single occupancy availability and pricing is listed separately for each tour.

Tips and Miscellaneous Fees

The registration fee includes all restaurant and other service tips during the tour, as well as all incidental fees such as parking, admission, etc. Items of a personal nature, such as phone calls and laundry service are not included.

Policy for Tour Leaders and Assistants Taking Their Own Pictures

Have you ever participated in a photo tour during which the leader seemed more interested in taking photos himself than in helping you with yours? That won’t happen on a Kevin Adams Photo Tour. The leader policy is not to photograph unless a spectacular or rare situation presents itself. The policy for assistants is that once they have attended to any participant needs, they may photograph alongside them. Oftentimes, it is helpful for participants when leaders set up their cameras to demonstrate their approach to a scene. I do this often and occasionally I might even trip the shutter while I’m at it. But the bottom line is that my job and my co-leader’s job are to help YOU make the best photos you possibly can.

Smoking Policy

All tours are designated “Non Smoking.” You may not smoke in vehicles, lodging facilities, or while in the presence of other participants. However, these photo tours take place in the Great Outdoors, so there will many opportunities to smoke without breaking the rules.

Sponsorship

I do not have sponsors and I will never accept a traditional sponsorship. If I endorse a product or service, it’s because I use it myself or otherwise know it to be worthwhile. Companies are welcomed to send their products or information on their services. If I like something and think it would be useful to participants, I’ll promote it. But I will not accept money, products, or services in exchange for endorsement.

Health Considerations

Participants should be in good physical health. While none of these tours requires strenuous physical activity, some tours entail hiking moderate distances, short bank scrambling, climbing into and out of boats, sun and wind exposure, and minor rock hopping. The fact that we are often shooting from sunrise to sunset requires a level of physical exertion that may not be normal for some persons. Read the specific information provided for each tour and contact me if you have any concerns.

Liability

A release waiver is included in the information you will receive when you register. All participants must sign this waiver prior to the start of the tour, or else forfeit their participation and registration fee.

Trip Planning Information

When your deposit is received, I will promptly send confirmation along with a packet of information to help you plan your trip. Included is a questionnaire to tell us about your knowledge level, general interests, and any specific things you’d like to get out of the tour. I use this form to help tailor instruction to each participant. Also included are a detailed packing list, specifications for critique photos, and other specific tour information.

Registration Information and Refund Policy

To register, simply send me your email address and physical mailing address, along with a check or money for the deposit (or full payment, depending on when you register). I am unable to accept credit cards as payment.

Photo tours fill very quickly. To make sure your space is not taken while your check is in the mail, you can email or leave a phone message informing me that you have sent your payment. I will hold your spot for five business days pending arrival of your payment. Be sure to let me know for which tour you registered.

Payment Policy:

• Minimum of $400 is due with registration.
• Full balance is due 60 days prior to event.
• Registrations made within 60 days of event require full payment.

Cancellation Policy:

• 90 days prior to departure: Full refund.
• 30 to 90 days prior to departure: Full refund if your vacancy is filled; otherwise, you will be charged 50% of the tour fee.
• Less than 30 days prior to departure: Registration fee is nonrefundable.
  
• If for some reason the event is canceled, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee. However, we cannot be responsible for any non-refundable travel expenses you may have incurred. You are urged to purchase travel protection insurance.
  

Guarantee

I have a simple goal. I want to give you the best photography experience you’ve ever had. To achieve this, I pick great locations at optimal times and organize the tours so that you need only to concentrate on photography. From the moment the tour starts until the final goodbyes, I’ll take care of every detail. If you feel like I have not lived up to this goal, I’ll refund your registration fee. It’s that simple.