For the 2024 cancellation policies, click here.
To ensure a smooth registration experience, please review the following policies regarding registration, payments, and cancellations. These policies are in place to protect the interests of all parties involved and to facilitate a great educational experience or photography session.
Registration and Payment Policies
Workshop Registration: To secure your spot in a workshop, a non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. Your workshop registration is not confirmed until the deposit payment is received.
Final Payment for Workshops: The remaining balance for workshop fees is due 90 days prior to the start date. Failure to make the final payment by the due date will result in the forfeiture of your reserved spot and the non-refundable deposit.
Sitting Bookings: To book a sitting (pre-arranged photography session), full payment is required at the time of booking. Your sitting is not confirmed until the payment is received.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance immediately after paying your deposit or booking fee. Please refer to the “Travel Insurance” section for more details.
External Workshops Note: Workshops hosted through the North House Folk School or other organizations where I serve as a contract instructor may have different registration and payment policies. Be sure to inquire about the specific policies when registering for those external workshops.
2025 Cancellation Policies
To ensure a seamless experience, please review our cancellation policies carefully. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, these policies are in place to protect the interests of all parties involved.
Workshop Cancellations
There are no exceptions to this policy, even for medical emergencies. Cancellations must be made in writing via email or postal mail. The cancellation date is the date the written notice is received.
91+ days before workshop start date:
- If you paid in full, you will receive a refund minus the non-refundable deposit.
- If your spot is filled, the non-refundable deposit will be converted to a credit minus a $250 administration fee.
- If your spot cannot be filled, the non-refundable deposit is forfeited.
90 days or fewer before workshop start date:
- If your spot cannot be filled, the entire workshop fee is forfeited.
- If your spot is filled, you will receive a credit minus the non-refundable deposit used as an administration fee.
Credit Usage: Credits can be applied toward another workshop or print purchase within one year of the original workshop date. Credits are non-transferable and non-refundable. Credits are only usable with Bryan Hansel Photography LLC and cannot be applied to other businesses that may host a Bryan Hansel workshop.
One-on-One and Private Workshop Cancellations
Cancellations made 30+ days before the scheduled date will receive a refund minus a 50% administration fee. Cancellations made less than 30 days before are non-refundable.
Sitting Cancellations
A “sitting” refers to a pre-arranged photography session. Cancellations made 30+ days before will receive a refund minus a $100 administration fee. Cancellations made less than 30 days before are non-refundable.
General Policies
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, including the “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage, to protect against unforeseen events affecting your travel plans. Travel insurance providers offer a range of affordable plans with varying coverage levels. We suggest using a comparison site like InsureMyTrip.com to review and compare different plan options.
Fitness and Medical Considerations: Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically fit and prepared for the demands of the workshop activities. Please be advised that Bryan Hansel Photography LLC does not assume any liability for medical care or expenses that may arise during the workshop. We reserve the right to restrict participation or remove individuals from workshop activities if we determine their fitness level puts themselves or others at risk of injury. Medical conditions, including last-minute emergencies, do not constitute exceptions to our cancellation policies. While we understand the disappointment of cancelled plans due to health issues, we strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance to safeguard against such eventualities.
Force Majeure: In the case of extraordinary circumstances beyond our control (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics), workshops may be terminated or canceled without liability. Refunds will only be provided for payments made directly to Bryan Hansel Photography LLC, excluding non-refundable deposits. No refunds will be made if the workshop is cancelled after it starts.
Government Shutdowns: In the unfortunate event of a government shutdown that restricts access to federal lands originally planned as part of the workshop itinerary, we will make every effort to adjust the schedule and incorporate alternative state or locally-governed locations in the area. While this may result in a modified experience, it allows the workshop to proceed as scheduled. Please note that refunds will not be issued solely due to a government shutdown. By securing your registration, you acknowledge and accept that such unforeseen circumstances may occur, and we will adapt the workshop itinerary accordingly to provide the best possible experience within the prevailing conditions.
Medical Emergencies: While we understand the inconvenience of medical issues, our cancellation policies remain in effect. Obtaining adequate travel insurance can provide coverage for such eventualities.
Spouse, Partner, Guest and Caregiver Attendance Policy: All participants must register and pay the full workshop fee. We maintain strict group size limits to ensure quality instruction and comply with regulations.
In special circumstances, we may accommodate essential caregivers or assistants for participants with disabilities or serious health conditions. These arrangements must be discussed with us and approved by us before your registration, and are subject to space availability and any applicable permits or regulations. In areas with strict group size limits, caregivers or assistants must pay the full fee and fit within the stated workshop size.
We cannot accommodate additional guests, including spouses or partners, beyond the set workshop group size. However, if there is an open space in the workshop, these individuals are welcome to register and pay the full fee to attend. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to create the best possible experience for all participants.
Weather: The weather is dynamic and unpredictable. Workshops go out in all weather conditions even conditions some may consider “bad.” We do so because “bad” weather can make for the most dramatic photos. Remember the Minnesota proverb, “There is no bad weather; only the wrong clothing.” On night workshops, we hope for clear skies, but partially cloudy skies can be interesting. If we get cloudy skies, we still go out. No refunds or rain checks will be provided for weather.
Workshop Cancellations: We reserve the right to cancel any workshop. If we cancel a workshop, we’ll do everything we can to reschedule. If we’re unable to accommodate you by rescheduling, you may be eligible for a full refund. Even in the unfortunate event of a cancellation, you are liable for expenses incurred, such as airline tickets, accommodations, other travel expenses, or any other expenses related to a cancellation or the workshop. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
By registering for a workshop, you agree to our cancellation policies. We reserve the right to modify these policies at our discretion. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
2024 Workshop Cancellation Policies
Registering for a Course, Deposits and Final Payments
To register for a workshop or book a sitting, a nonrefundable deposit or full payment is required, respectively. Until I receive the required payment, the workshop or sitting isn’t booked.
Final payments for workshops are due 90 days before the workshop’s start date. Failure to pay the final payment by the due date forfeits your space and nonrefundable deposit.
You should book your travel insurance right after you pay your deposit. See below for more information on travel insurance.
Note: Workshops run through the North House Folk School or other entities where I’m a contract instructor have different cancellation policies. When you register ask about it.
Workshop Cancellation Policy
There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, even for medical emergencies. You must cancel your space in writing by email or US mail. For US mail, the date of cancellation is the date that I receive the letter. If you miss a payment without contacting me prior, you are not eligible for a refund or credit.
Holding onto your hotel room until I can transfer it to a potential replacement makes it easier to find a replacement participant for your cancellation.
Cancel 91 days or earlier before the workshop:
- If you paid the full amount, everything but the nonrefundable deposit is refunded. If your space is NOT filled, the deposit is forfeited. If the space is filled, the nonrefundable deposit becomes a credit. A $200 administration fee will be subtracted from the deposit before it becomes a credit.
90 or fewer days before the workshop:
- If your space is NOT filled, the entire workshop fee is forfeited. If your space is filled, you’ll receive a credit minus the nonrefundable deposit, which is used as an administration fee.
How credits work:
Credits can be applied to another class, including 1:1 workshops, taken within a year of the original workshop date, or they may be used to purchase prints. Credits may only be used for workshops run through Bryan Hansel Photography LLC. Credits are only usable on the next workshop you register. For example, you may not cancel a second time and have the credit from the first get applied to a third, etc… Credits may not be redeemed for cash.
Travel Insurance and Travel Expenses
I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all your travel plans, expenses, and for the workshop fee. You are encouraged to obtain Travel Insurance with Cancel for Any Reason option.
Bryan Hansel Photography LLC is not liable for reimbursement of any travel or other expenses, such as but not limited to nonrefundable or refundable airline tickets, hotel rooms, workshop fees, or other travel expenses, or expenses related to a workshop cancellation or other events. Bryan Hansel Photography LLC is also not responsible for events that prevent you from arriving at the workshop, such as but not limited to weather events, canceled flights, government shutdowns, force majeure events, or other foreseen or unforeseen events and circumstances. Bryan Hansel Photography LLC reserves to right to cancel any workshop. If a workshop is cancelled during the workshop because of illness, no money will be refunded.
You can purchase trip cancellation insurance for as little as $40. Use a site like insuremytrip.com to compare plans against one another. Workshop participants have used Travel Guard in the past. Make sure to get a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.
What if Bryan Hansel Photography LLC Cancels the Workshop?
Bryan Hansel Photography LLC reserves the right to cancel any workshop. If I cancel the workshop, I’ll do everything I can to reschedule. If I’m unable to accommodate you by rescheduling, you may be eligible for a full refund. Bryan Hansel Photography LLC is not liable for expenses incurred, such as airline tickets, accommodations, other travel expenses, or any other expenses related to a cancellation. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
One-on-one and Private Workshop Cancellations
You may cancel one-on-one and private workshops up to 30 days before the scheduled date and receive a refund minus a 50% administration fee. Any cancellations with fewer than 30 days of advanced notice are nonrefundable.
Sitting Cancellations
You may cancel a sitting up to 30 days before the scheduled date and receive a refund minus a $100 administration fee. Any cancellations with fewer than 30 days of advanced notice are nonrefundable.
What is the weather isn’t perfect?
Weather is dynamic and unpredictable. Workshops go out in all weather conditions such as but not limited to rain, snow, sleet, cool temperatures, hot temperatures, clouds, blue sky days or fog. Bad weather, other than a force majeure event, is not a reason for cancellation nor is it a reason for a refund. Bad weather can make for the most dramatic photos. On night workshops, we hope for clear skies, but partially cloudy skies can be interesting. If we get cloudy skies, we still go out. Clouds are not a reason for cancellation on night workshops. There is no guarantee of clear skies, and if there are clouds there is no refund or rain checks.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
Government Shutdowns
In the event of a government shutdown that prevents the workshop from visiting any federal lands, I will do my best to find state and local alternatives in the area. Refunds are not available in the event that the government has a shutdown.
Force Majeure
Bryan Hansel Photography LLC may terminate and cancel a workshop as to any Event without liability to Client if a workshop is canceled due to any circumstances beyond the Bryan Hansel Photography LLC’s control, including without limitation severe weather or other acts of God, war, strikes or labor disputes, unforeseen repairs or renovations, embargoes, medical reasons, epidemics and pandemics. In the event Bryan Hansel Photography LLC is unable to fulfill its obligations herein as a result of any such force majeure event, Bryan Hansel Photography LLC shall refund in full all monies paid to Bryan Hansel Photography LLC by the client (except any costs designated as non-refundable or full payments if cancelled after the event has started).
Fitness and Medical
You are responsible for determining your fitness for any trip. Please, understand, that Bryan Hansel Photography LLC assumes no liability for medical care. Bryan Hansel Photography LLC makes the ultimate determination of your fitness to embark upon or to continue a trip. Medical conditions are not considered exceptions to the cancellation policy. Bryan Hansel Photography LLC is not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies.
Changes to the Registration and Cancellation Policies
The content of these policies may be altered at any time, at our discretion.