The following terms and conditions apply for Pete DeMarco LLC’s photography workshops and tours.
1. Booking and Payment
- A $1,000 USD deposit is required to reserve your spot.
- Your deposit is fully refundable for 7 days after payment (unless made within 90 days of tour departure). After that, it becomes nonrefundable.
- Payments can be made by credit card (via Stripe) or bank transfer.
2. Cancellations and Refunds
- Cancellations must be requested in writing by email. Your cancellation is not considered official until you have received a return email confirmation acknowledging your cancellation.
- Final payment is due 90 days before the tour or workshop begins
- If you cancel before the final payment deadline, you’ll receive a full refund minus your deposit
- If you cancel after the final payment deadline, no refund will be given unless your spot is filled
- If your spot is filled (not guaranteed), you’ll receive a full refund minus your deposit
- No refunds for late arrivals, early departures, or missed portions of the tour
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended, including trip cancellation and gear coverage
- No refunds will be given for unused tour services, including but not limited to missed meals, accommodation, or activities, if the participant arrives late or leave early.
- The participant is responsible for any extra costs associated with joining or leaving the group if the arrive late or leave early.
- No-shows are treated as last-minute cancellations and are non-refundable.
- We reserve the right to cancel any photo tour before departure, in which case a full refund of all amounts paid to the participants will be made. Any costs incurred by the participant to be able to participate in the tour (booking of hotel rooms on location, flights, train tickets, etc.) will not be refunded.
3. Tour Changes
- We reserve the right to alter itineraries, tour leaders, accommodations, or included activities due to weather, safety concerns, low booking numbers, or other unforeseen circumstances.
- No refunds will be given for changes made during a tour due to unforeseen circumstances.
4. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all tours and workshops, especially international trips. It helps protect your investment and gives you peace of mind in case of unexpected events that might affect your travel plans. We recommend purchasing a policy shortly after booking your spot to ensure maximum coverage, including for pre-existing conditions (if applicable).
Your travel insurance should include:
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption (strongly recommended) – In case you need to cancel before the trip or leave early due to illness, injury, family emergencies, or other unexpected events. Please note: We do not offer refunds for these types of situations, which is why having travel insurance is essential.
- Medical Coverage (mandatory) – Especially important for international tours. Make sure you’re covered for emergency medical care and hospital visits abroad.
- Emergency Evacuation (mandatory) – In the rare event of a serious emergency that requires transport to another location or home.
- Lost or Delayed Baggage (recommended) – Coverage in case your gear or personal items go missing during travel.
- Camera and Gear Protection (recommended) – Some policies offer the option to insure high-value camera equipment against damage, loss, or theft. Check to see if this is included, or consider a separate gear policy.
We do not offer refunds for cancellations due to personal emergencies, missed flights, or other unforeseen issues, which is why having a good travel insurance policy is essential.
5. Health and Fitness
This tour involves moderate physical activity and a fair amount of walking each day—often with a camera bag in tow. You should be comfortable:
- Walking 2–4 miles a day, sometimes on uneven terrain or stairs
- Standing for extended periods during shoots
- Navigating busy streets, train stations, and public transit
- Carrying your own gear and luggage
You don’t need to be an athlete, but a basic level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the experience fully. If you have any health concerns, accessibility needs, or limitations, please let us know in advance. We’re happy to talk through the itinerary with you and make adjustments when possible. Your safety, comfort, and well-being matter—so please come prepared and communicate openly with us.
6. Liability
By joining this tour, you acknowledge that travel and photography activities carry inherent risks. You agree to assume full responsibility for your safety, belongings, and actions during the trip.
While we take every precaution to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, we are not liable for:
- Injury, illness, accidents, or death
- Loss, theft, or damage to personal property or photography equipment
- Delays, changes, or cancellations caused by weather, transportation issues, strikes, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events
- Expenses related to missed flights, border issues, or denied entry due to passport or visa problems
All participants are required to follow local laws, respect cultural customs, and adhere to safety instructions provided by the tour leader and local partners.
We reserve the right to remove any participant from the tour if their behavior poses a threat to the group’s safety, enjoyment, or well-being—without refund.
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage, trip cancellation, and gear protection.
7. Passport and Visas
All participants must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond the end of the tour.
It is your responsibility to check and comply with the entry requirements for Japan (or the country where the tour takes place), including whether a visa is required based on your nationality.
Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, and many other countries do not need a visa for short-term tourism in Japan, but requirements can change—so please double-check with your local embassy or consulate well in advance.
We are not responsible for missed flights, denied entry, or other issues due to incomplete or incorrect travel documents.
8. Privacy
When you book a tour or workshop, we collect basic information such as your name, email address, phone number, and any details you provide in your registration form. This information is used only to communicate with you about the trip, provide important updates, and ensure a smooth and personalized experience.
We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties—except when necessary to complete bookings (such as hotels or local guides involved in the tour).
You may receive occasional updates about future tours or photography opportunities. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time.
All payment details are handled securely through trusted third-party platforms (such as Stripe) and are never stored on our systems.
If you have any questions about how your information is used, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to clarify.
9. Model Photo Release
By participating in this tour or workshop, you agree that photographs or video footage taken during the trip that include your likeness may be used by the tour leader (Pete DeMarco) for promotional purposes, including on websites, social media, printed materials, and future marketing campaigns.
If you prefer not to appear in any promotional materials, just let us know in writing before the tour begins. We will absolutely respect your wishes.
This release applies to group photos, behind-the-scenes images, and candid moments captured during the tour. You retain full rights to any images you personally take during the experience.
10. Photo Usage Rights & Copyright
All photos taken by participants during the tour remain the sole property of the photographer. You retain full copyright and control over your images.
We may occasionally request permission to feature participant photos in our marketing or on social media—with full credit, of course—but we will never use your images without your explicit consent.
By sharing your photos with the group or tagging the tour online, you grant us permission to reshare or repost them for promotional purposes, always with credit to you.
11. Authority on Tour
By joining this tour, you agree to follow the guidance and decisions of the tour leader throughout the trip.
The tour leader is responsible for the overall safety, schedule, and group dynamics, and may adjust plans at any time due to weather, light conditions, local events, or unexpected circumstances.
We ask that all participants travel with a spirit of openness, flexibility, and respect – toward one another, local communities, and the places we visit.
We reserve the right to remove any participant from the tour (without refund) if their behavior is unsafe, disruptive, or negatively impacts the experience of the group.
12. Force Majeure
We are not liable for any delay, disruption, or cancellation of the tour due to events beyond our control, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters
- Weather conditions
- Pandemics or public health emergencies
- Strikes or labor disputes
- Civil unrest or political instability
- Transportation delays or cancellations
- Acts of government or border closures
In the event of a Force Majeure situation, we will make every reasonable effort to adjust plans or reschedule. However, no refunds or reimbursements are guaranteed for interruptions caused by these circumstances.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for trip interruption and cancellation due to Force Majeure events.
13. Complaints
We care deeply about creating a meaningful, enjoyable experience for every participant. If you have any concerns during the tour, please bring them to the tour leader’s attention right away so we can do our best to address the issue on the spot.
We can’t fix what we don’t know, and many small problems can be resolved quickly when communicated in the moment.
If you still feel unsatisfied after the tour, you’re welcome to share your feedback in writing within 14 days of the tour’s end. We’ll review your concerns thoughtfully and respond as promptly as possible.
14. Acceptance of Terms
By submitting your deposit and reserving a spot on this tour, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions outlined above.
This includes the cancellation policy, payment terms, health and safety requirements, liability waiver, and all other listed sections.
If you are booking on behalf of another person, it is your responsibility to ensure they have also reviewed and accepted these terms.
15. Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Florida, USA. Any disputes arising from these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Florida, USA.