BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)
Instructional Photo-Tours (IPTs) include morning and afternoon field workshops totaling six hours or more (weather permitting), in-the-field instruction, an introductory slide program on the evening before the tour begins, a critiquing session on the first night of the tour, one additional slide program, a two hour midday break (also know as INT — instructor nap time), and all lunches. (You are on your own for breakfasts. At some locations there are motel-lobby continental breakfasts, at others we may stop at either a fast food outlet or a convenience store. There is no extra charge for humor or expert natural history commentary.
IPTs never include lodging or air or ground transportation. Some Bear, Alaska, Galapagos, and other international trips and Photo-Safaris may include lodging and/or transportation (as noted).
Ground transportation with the leader is available on some tours on an extremely limited, first- requested, first-served, pay-in-advance, $30/day, space-available basis. Call or e-mail to check availability.
Current IPT schedule: http://www.birdsasart.com/ipt-updates/.
Also read: Why join a Birds As Art IPT ?.
Repeat Customer Discounts
To thank our many repeat customers, we offer the discounts listed below. When you call or send us a deposit, please let us know the last IPT that you were on so that we can reduce your balance.
3-day IPT: $50 off
4-day IPT: $75 off
5-day or more IPT: $100
No repeat customer discounts are offered on or for foreign trips, photo-safaris, or photo-cruises.
Spouse/Multiple Registrant Discount: $100 off total due ($50 each). If two photographers register at the same time, we will reduce each balance by $50.
Do know that the leader, that’s me: Arthur Morris, photographs during IPTs. I am, however, always available to answer your questions. In addition to the in-the-field time, there is much teaching done during lunches and even during dinners; many folks take advantage to ask a multitude of questions on a great variety of topics. On various IPTs there are often extremely competent co-leaders or knowledgeable assistants. In addition, folks (including me) often learn a ton from skilled IPT participants.
Non-photographer spouses/companions may join most tours for $50/day. This includes all slide programs, lunches, natural history commentary, and extra jokes (no fee for those). Do note that BIRDS AS ART reserves the right to exceed the limit by one photographer on all trips.
Extensions and individual or group tours can be arranged on request. Individual instruction on location is available for $1000.00 per day (plus all expenses), $1750.00 per day (plus all expenses) for two photographers. In the event of rain, private days may not be canceled. We will work indoors viewing slides via laptop and handling equipment, getting out to photograph if conditions improve.
A variety of Canon EF telephoto lenses and bodies are available for rent on some IPTs on a per day or per trip basis. Please inquire as to rates and availability.
Deposit and Cancellation Policies
PLEASE READ OUR DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION POLICIES CAREFULLY BEFORE SENDING A DEPOSIT.
Important note: please print, fill out, and sign the registration and release forms and include them with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.” You can find the forms here: IPT Registration and Release Form.
For years, BIRDS AS ART had the most liberal deposit/cancellation policies in the field. Unfortunately, due to an unbelievable number of cancellations, many of them just prior to the beginning of IPTs, we have been forced to institute the new terms below. Please check your schedule carefully and weigh your decision to join an IPT very seriously before sending a deposit. We regret that we must institute these policies, but the folks who have frivolously signed up for IPTs only to cancel at the last second have forced us to change our policies as their actions were depriving us of income and preventing other photographers from joining the tour because they are unable to re-arrange work schedules or purchase reasonably priced airline tickets at the last minute. That said, do note–that for good reasons–most BIRDS AS ART IPTs fill many months in advance.
A completely non-refundable deposit is required for all IPTs, Photo-Cruises, and Photo-Safaris. IPT balances are due 5 months before the date of the IPT and are also non-refundable. If the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit for the full amount less a $200 processing fee to a future IPT.
If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date, we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.
Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options, you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage, which expands the list of reasons for your canceling to an infinite list, from a sudden work or family obligation to a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check of running your credit card.
BAA now accepts Visa and MasterCard by phone. Credit Cards are accepted for deposits only. Balances must be paid by personal check or money order.
Overseas folks are best off using the birdsasart@att.net e-mail address as many attempting to e-mail us at the birdsasart@verizon.net address from Europe and Asia have encountered problems.