Terms and Conditions
General
You must be 18 years or older to attend a weekend workshop unless you attend with a guardian.
Payment of the workshop fee means you have read, understood and agree to all the terms and conditions outlined in this document.
Bookings and Payment
Your booking is not confirmed until full payment is made. All bookings are subject a non-refundable administration fee.
Sony Scene sponsored workshops: Payments are required to be made in full via the Sony Scene website at the time of booking.
Group workshops that are booked directly: these require an initial deposit to secure your place with remaining payment schedule confirmed at the time of booking. All group weekend workshops require full payment at least 3-4 months before the workshop commences.
Personalised masterclass workshops: payments are required to be made via bank transfer (within NZ) or credit card with 3% fees (for overseas based attendees).
Online photography course: payments are required to be made in full to gain access to the online content.
Cancellation by you
If you are no longer able to attend your scheduled workshop, the following cancellation fees will apply:
Cancellation more than 2 months before the workshop (assuming full fee paid): you will be eligible for a full refund less a $250 administration fee if your place can be filled. If your place cannot be filled, then a 50% refund of the fee paid will be available.
Cancellation within 1 week to 2 months of the workshop: you will be eligible for a full refund less a $500 administration fee if your place is able to be filled. If your place cannot be filled then 25% refund of the full fee will be available.
Cancellation within 1 week of the workshop: no refund available.
Initial deposits paid to secure your place on the workshop will be refundable less a $100 administration fee if your place can be filled.
You are strongly encouraged to take out domestic or international travel insurance to cover any amounts not able to be refunded to you due to the above cancellation policy.
Cancellation by Meghan Maloney Photography
In the event the workshop is cancelled due to extreme circumstances (i.e. severe weather conditions, a natural disaster, a personal health or family emergency, or a lack of participants), you will be eligible for a full refund or a transfer of your deposit to a future workshop date.
In the even more unlikely event the workshop has to be terminated during the course of the weekend (for similar reasons as those outlined above) a refund may be given depending on the individual circumstances that arise and how far through the weekend the termination occurs.
No refunds are available for live online course sessions as all sessions are available to view after the event.
COVID-19 Cancellation/Postponement
In the event the workshop is unable to proceed due to COVID-19 regional or national travel restrictions, the workshop will be rescheduled or refunded depending on the circumstances. The following will apply:
If an alternative date is provided for the workshop, your booking will be transferred to the new date automatically
In the event the workshop is cancelled outright, a full refund will be provided less any non-refundable administration costs to be split across the group (i.e. accommodation or other non-refundable travel costs incurred)
If you are unable to attend the new dates, a full refund will be provided less a $100 administration fee.
Weather / Alternative Locations
The nature of landscape photography in NZ is such that the weather is unpredictable. We will do our best to visit all of the locations mentioned in the workshop outline, however Meghan Maloney reserves the right to alter the itinerary during the workshop to make the best of local weather conditions on the day.
A final decision will be made 3-5 days before the workshop is due to begin if a severe weather system is likely to irrecoverably impact the workshop. The workshop will not be cancelled in the event of normal rain weather forecast as this can sometimes produce amazing light both for waterfall and sunrise/sunset imagery.
In the event the workshop is disrupted by a severe weather event and a workshop location is not accessible or we are unable to leave a location due to a severe weather event, you will be responsible for your share of the additional costs required to make alternative arrangements to enable the workshop to continue or to make our way to the nearest alternative town with air transport to make our way home.
Insurance
You are responsible for all insurances relating to your workshop attendance (medical, equipment, travel). I strongly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances that may prevent you from attending the workshop such as travel delays, workshop cancellation due to severe weather, natural disaster, transport strikes, political disturbances, or personal health emergencies. COVID-19 travel disruptions may not be covered by your insurance policy so please bear this in mind.
Equipment Use
During the workshop you may have the opportunity to use KASE neutral density filters owned by Meghan Maloney Photography and loan equipment from Sony New Zealand. While these are insured, you will be responsible for paying the excess on any equipment damaged, broken, lost or stolen while you are using it.
Health & Safety
You are responsible for informing Meghan Maloney Photography of any health conditions that may affect your participation in the workshop and you are responsible for your ensuring any personal medication is brought and administered.
By booking a place on this workshop, you are confirming you have the required health and fitness to undertake photography at all the locations and can comfortably sustain the long days required while out in the field (from 5am - up to 11pm).
Examples of different terrain you may encounter:
Devils Punchbowl Falls - a 45 minute walk uphill of 100m elevation with approximately 300 steps each way
Hooker Valley Track - a 1.5 hour walk each way (10km return) on undulating terrain on a gravel path with steps. In winter there can be ice and snow on the track.
Mount Maunganui summit - a 40 minute steep uphill walk of 230 metres elevation with steps
You are responsible for ensuring you bring appropriate gear to each session of the workshop as the conditions can vary hugely during the course of the day:
Wet weather gear
Sturdy footwear for hiking
Warm clothing (hat, gloves, jacket)
You are also responsible for your own safety for the duration of the workshop, Meghan Maloney Photography will not be held liable for any accidents or damage to your person or equipment, or damage to the natural environment that is caused by you.
Dietary Requirements
Some of the local workshops have meals included, please make sure you email Meghan with your dietary needs if the workshop you attend includes meals.
Camera Requirements and Preparation
In order to be adequately prepared and to get the most out of the workshop you must undertake the following before arriving at the workshop:
ensure the camera has full manual mode and turn this on
ensure the camera is set to capture images in RAW, or RAW + JPEG
know how to change aperture, shutter speed and ISO using the buttons or menu
ensure the capacity of memory cards you bring is sufficient to hold hundreds of photos (N.B. shooting in RAW takes up much more space than JPEG files)
ensure that you bring sufficient batteries and a portable charger as shooting all day is a significant drain on battery life and Meghan cannot be held responsible if your batteries run out during the day limiting your ability to participate in the workshop
ensure you bring along the camera manual (for any troubleshooting)
Appropriate Behaviour
By booking a place on this workshop, you agree to act appropriately for the duration of the workshop. Any behaviour that disrupts the workshop or impacts on the other participants will not be tolerated. In the event a participant is asked to leave during the workshop, no refund will be given.
Social Media Promotion
By attending this workshop, you agree to be filmed or photographed for use in future workshop promotion activities on any social media channel.
Liability Waiver
You will be required to sign a Risk Disclosure form at the beginning of the workshop accepting the risks that are inherent in outdoor photography and releasing Meghan Maloney Photography from liability for:
Unforeseen circumstances that may affect the workshop including, but not limited to, travel delays, severe weather and natural disasters
Personal injury, illness or death
Damage to your equipment
Privacy
For the purposes of registering and attending this workshop, certain personal data will be held on file by Meghan Maloney Photography and Sony New Zealand (where payment is made on the Sony Scene site). This data will only be used to make informed decisions relating to the undertaking of the workshop activities and your participation and satisfaction and will not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any third party.