Aperture Academy Refund Policy

Refund Policy:
  • Merchandise: All merchandise sales are final -- no refunds are provided.

    Workshops & Class Cancellations

    Because we rely on student attendance in order to schedule instructors, book essential travel arrangements, acquire permits and arrange lodging discounts, we must adhere to the following policies for all students:

    • If for any reason you need to withdraw from a class or workshop, you must notify Aperture Academy:
      • 1 Day workshops: prior to 90 days before the date of your class or workshop.
      • 2-3 Day workshops: prior to 120 days before the date of your class or workshop.
      • 4+ Day workshops: prior to 180 days before the date of your class or workshop.

      Within this time period we will refund your registration fee, minus a 25% cancellation fee. If notification of cancellation is made outside the above time period, there is no refund.

    • No refund will be made for withdrawal after any class or workshop begins.
    • Aperture Academy is not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies.
    • Aperture Academy is not responsible for workshop cancellations due to weather or community health pandemics. If a class or workshop date is cancelled, an alternate date will be provided for reschedule. You may also choose to apply your credit towards another workshop.
    • In the event of a class or workshop cancellation, Aperture Academy is not responsible for reimbursement of any travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any non-refundable registration fees, travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses.

    Workshop Deposits

    • Any class, workshop or gallery reservation that requires a deposit payment to guarantee a date of participation is non-refundable.

    Instructor Availability

    • In the rare event a scheduled instructor is unavailable, a replacement instructor will be available without disruption to the workshop or event. While we make every effort to abide by our curriculum and schedules, we can not guarantee that assigned instructors will always be available, however, there will always be a qualified and experienced professional instructor ready to provide you with the superior quality photography experience that our students have come to expect from Aperture Academy.

    Transfers

    • If for any reason you wish to transfer to a different workshop, you must notify Aperture Academy:
      • 1 Day workshops: prior to 90 days before the date of your class or workshop.
      • 2-3 Day workshops: prior to 120 days before the date of your class or workshop.
      • 4+ Day workshops: prior to 180 days before the date of your class or workshop.
    • You may only make one transfer at a charge of 25% of your workshop/class fee. We reserve the right to allow or prohibit any transfer, at our discretion. You must register and attend a new workshop within 12 months of the transfer.

    There are no exceptions to our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.



Acknowledgment of Risk, Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement

Before participating in any Aperture Academy Photography Workshop or private instruction session, it is required that you read and sign this document, which shall serve as an agreement for release of our liability against any or all risks during the course of the workshop, as well as an agreement to allow us to use your image(s) in our print, video, online or any other advertising and promotion.

By signing this agreement, you agree to allow Aperture Academy to photography you during your participation in our workshop, and to use the photos and/or video in our promotional materials and campaigns without remuneration or compensation. All photos taken by Aperture Academy instructors and/or staff are the sole property of Aperture Academy with full copyright and intellectual property rights.

In addition, you acknowledge and certify that you are voluntarily participating in workshop activities that can include traveling to areas that may be remote or undeveloped and therefore may involve additional risks, dangers and inconveniences including, but not limited to, forces both natural and man made, wild animals, exposure to illnesses, non-maintained roads and walkways, lack of dining accommodations, last minute transportation methods, and other circumstances. You accept that travel and outdoor activity involves some inherent risk of injury, illness, loss or damage to personal property, and other safety-related dangers including death, whether by acts of nature or human negligence, including personal actions, or actions of others, and you assume all risks, consequences, and potential personal property liability for this participation.

Furthermore, you recognize that such hazards and dangers, including those not mentioned therein, cannot be eliminated. You also understand that travel with a group invariably involves compromise to accommodate the diverse desires, travel goals, personalities, and physical abilities of group members, and that itineraries are not guaranteed and are only a guideline. Aperture Academy reserves the right to cancel activities without prior notice, and to cancel the registration of any participant we determine fails to meet the activity requirements. We reserve the right to cancel any workshop, activity, or location, and to accept and reject any person as a member of any workshop, at any time during the workshop. The workshop leader or instructor's judgment shall provide the final determination of an individual's ability to participate in, or continue to participate in, any activity or workshop.

The Aperture Academy is taking enhanced safety measures for students and instructors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. You agree to follow all posted and verbal instructions from our instructors during your workshop. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to extreme illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and others with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By joining us for a workshop, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 or any other community spread disease.

Additionally, you agree that you are personally responsible for providing and wearing appropriate clothing, footwear and/or safety gear, your dietary needs, and that you are in sufficiently good physical and physiological health to undertake outdoor workshop activity, and certify that you do not knowingly have any medical conditions that could create a risk for you or other participants.

By signing this waiver and agreement, you are acknowledging that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms and conditions stated within, and you accept that this agreement cannot be orally or otherwise modified. You further acknowledge and agree that you are waiving your rights to bring a court action to recover compensation or obtain any other remedy for any injury to yourself or damage or loss to your property.

I have had sufficient time to read and understand this document and agree to its terms.