Terms and Conditions
OUR SERVICES
Our workshops and retreats provide hands-on experiences, allowing participants to receive hands-on guidance from a professional photographer to improve their photography skills. We operate as an independent contractor, and this agreement or your use of our website or services does not establish any joint venture, partnership, or employment relationship between you and our suppliers or us.
DIGITAL PRODUCTS
Purchasing any digital products is deemed “used” after download or opening, and all purchases made on arettahouston.com are non-refundable or exchangeable. Since the products made available here are intangible, there is a very strict NO REFUND for regular and sale items. Once your order has been processed, you can click the orange button or click the link in your order receipt that was mailed to you.
IN-STUDIO, ON-LOCATION, AND TRAVEL WORKSHOPS
PAYMENTS & REFUNDS
A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, regardless of whether you pay the deposit or the full amount. If you pay in full, the deposit portion will automatically be considered non-refundable. Booking our workshop confirms that you are over 18 years old and legally responsible for your actions. We reserve the right to refuse services to anyone, at any time, for any reason. Your seat is only guaranteed once the full balance is paid. If the balance is not fully paid, we may offer your spot to another participant. By making a deposit or payment, you agree to these terms and conditions and must sign all required waivers and forms, which will be emailed to you after purchase.
We offer payment plans through Klarna and Affirm at checkout. All refunds, minus the non-refundable deposit, are subject to a 5% processing fee. Credits cannot be redeemed for refunds or cash back.
All refunds do not include the non-refundable deposit. Deposits are non-transferable to another workshop or person.
- Greater than 90 days from the start date of the workshop: full refund (non-refundable deposit not included)
- Less than 80 days from the start date of the workshop: 75% refund (non-refundable deposit not included)
- Less than 70 days from the start date of the workshop: 50% refund (non-refundable deposit not included)
- Less than 60 days from the start date of the workshop: no refund (non-refundable deposit not included) due to the need to re-open enrollment and engage in additional heavy promotional efforts.
In such cases, or if fewer than five participants attend, we will issue a full refund within 60 days of the cancellation date. However, the financial liability of Laretta Houston Photography, LLC is limited to the amount paid for the workshop and does not cover other associated travel costs (e.g., non-refundable air tickets, visa fees, clothing, equipment, miscellaneous transportation costs, medical expenses, travel insurance premiums, etc.).
No refunds will be provided for any unused portion of the tour due to your absence, unexpected weather changes, medical conditions, illnesses, death, fitness issues, or other acts of God. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances. For workshops involving boats, travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is mandatory.
LIABILITY
During travel, tours, in-studio, on-location, or travel workshops, you are solely responsible for your own safety. You travel at your own risk, both during and after any pandemic. We do not take financial responsibility for any delays or disruptions to your travel plans caused by COVID-19, pandemics, illnesses, or situations beyond our control.
However, Laretta Houston Photography, LLC strongly advises following the health authorities’ guidelines for handwashing, hand sanitizing, mask-wearing, social distancing, and any other safety measures to protect yourself and others throughout the trip or workshops.
You understand that medical services and facilities, including medical care, physicians, and medication, may not be readily available during part or all of the trip. We assume no liability for medical care or for meeting your dietary requirements.
By booking any travel photography workshop with us, you acknowledge and voluntarily accept that it may not meet the standards you are accustomed to, and you voluntarily accept certain additional risks, dangers, and inconveniences. These may include but are not limited to, natural weather, animals, accommodations, all transportation, and other unknown risks.
NOT INCLUDED
The following items are not included: air transportation and related fees (unless specified in the itinerary); activities designated as optional in the itinerary; expenses for passports, visas, and permits; medical expenses and immunizations; baggage, accident, and travel insurance; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, lodging (if not specified “included”), transportation of any kind, and meals not related to or included in the workshop; and any other items not explicitly listed as included.
All of our travel workshops include shared rooms by default. If you sign up for a shared room and no suitable roommate is available, the cost of a single room will be added to your balance payment. You also have the option to request a single room for an additional fee.
FITNESS AND SUITABILITY
Our workshops are tailored for participants with a specific level of physical fitness, designed for those who can comfortably engage in about 6 to 10 hours of walking or standing each day during the photography workshop. Participants are responsible for carrying all their equipment to each location. We are not responsible for the loss or theft of personal equipment and belongings. If you are unable to do so, arrangements for an assistant must be made in advance at an additional cost. You must inform us of any physical or mental impairments that may affect your participation before booking.
USE OF NAME AND LIKENESS
We reserve the right to take photographs or videos at any time during the workshop and use these images or recordings for promotional or commercial purposes. By participating, attendees consent to allow us to use their likenesses without compensation. If attendees do not want their likenesses to be used, they must notify us in writing before the workshop begins.
Participants retain the copyright to all photographs, videos, and related materials they create at the workshop. By providing us with these materials, participants grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license to use them in any media for editorial purposes, the promotion of this editorial use, or the promotion of our workshops & retreats.
ITINERARY CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS
We reserve the right to modify any in-studio, on-location, or travel workshop itinerary at any time, both before and during the workshop. Due to the unpredictable nature of weather, locations, and access, we cannot guarantee specific photographic results or outcomes from the workshop. However, we will make every effort to ensure the best possible experience each day.
Circumstances beyond our control may create unsafe or undesirable travel conditions, necessitating changes or cancellations. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, war or the threat of war, riots, civil unrest, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, disease, industrial or nuclear disasters, adverse weather conditions, fire, and strikes.
If we determine that continuing in-studio, on-location, or travel workshop poses a safety hazard or risk to participants, we reserve the right to offer alternative activities or cancel the workshop. This includes the right to terminate and leave a photoshoot location if the photographer or participants encounter any inappropriate offensive behavior, threatening, hostile, or if the photographer’s safety is in question.
Moreover, we are not obligated to provide compensation or cover any costs or expenses (including, but not limited to, alternative accommodation) that you may incur due to the termination of your stay. If you cause damage to the accommodation you are staying in, you are solely responsible for those expenses and must deal with the hotel directly before the end of your trip.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
Participants are responsible for obtaining all necessary documents for their participation in the workshops, including valid passports, visas, vaccination certificates, and any other required paperwork. Failure to secure these documents does not change the terms and conditions, and any additional costs due to rerouting because of missing documents will be the participant’s responsibility.
If your passport is set to expire within 3-6 months before the start date of your travel workshop, you may be denied entry abroad. In such cases, you might be able to expedite a passport renewal or obtain an emergency, limited-validity passport by contacting your local embassy.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that all in-studio, on-location, or travel workshop travel and non-travel workshop participants purchase travel/cancellation insurance. This insurance typically covers losses from trip cancellations and interruptions, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delays, medical emergencies (including pandemic and border shutdown protection), and accidental death. For boat-related travel workshops, travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is mandatory and must be submitted to support form 160 days before the start of your reserved travel workshop.
MEDICAL
As an in-studio, on-location, or travel workshop participant, you acknowledge that we are not medical professionals and do not have the qualifications to provide medical treatment or emergency care. All workshops (domestic or international) will have a first aid kit available for basic injuries. You are responsible for bringing any prescribed medications or medical devices to the workshop and for self-administering these items.
INDEMNIFICATION
We are not liable for any issues directly or indirectly related to Laretta Houston (d/b/a Laretta Houston Photography, LLC) and Laretta Houston’s workshops. You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold us, our contractors, sponsors, and attendees harmless from and against all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and litigation fees.