FAQs: DJP Location Workshops

WHAT IS THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR REGISTRATION?

We accept registrations on a first-come first-served basis until a workshop is full. Register early! If your favorite workshop is full, please sign up for the waitlist and we’ll notify you when a spot opens up!

HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS ARE IN A WORKSHOP?

Workshops are typically limited to no more than 12 participants. When registration reaches 8 participants, an amazing DJP Assistant will join the workshop to ensure personalized attention.

WHAT COSTS ARE INCLUDED?

Tuition covers lectures, critiques, guided shooting trips, and in-field learning support. Any other covered services are listed on individual workshop pages. Airfare, lodging, ground transportation and meals are not included in tuition, unless noted on the workshop page. Please refer to the “Workshop Details” section on each workshop page for specific details on any additional fees, such as entrance to national parks, which are the responsibility of participants.

DO I MAKE MY OWN HOTEL RESERVATION?

Unless otherwise specified, workshop participants make their own reservations for accommodations. For most workshops, blocks of rooms are held in advance at a suggested hotel or lodging location. Participants are not required to stay at the designated workshop hotel, although doing so can make things easier because our classroom is often located at the hotel and we typically depart from the hotel for field shoots. The hotel information will be sent to participants, so they should not make reservations at the workshop hotel before receiving information about the room block and any associated discount.

WHAT DO WE DO FOR MEALS?

You will be given breaks during the workshop to purchase and enjoy meals. However, meals take second place to shooting at the right light and our priority is to get you out shooting at amazing locations in great light! It is always a good idea to bring snacks with you for those times when a regular meal is not available. Also, at some locations, it can be helpful to purchase groceries to store in your hotel refrigerator to make quick meals when there is not enough time to visit a sit-down restaurant.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

You'll find a list of recommended equipment in our Gear List. Any recommended gear specific to a particular workshop will be sent to participants.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY LAPTOP?

Yes, all participants should bring a laptop computer with appropriate photo software for downloading, sorting, viewing, editing, and selecting images for daily critiques.

HOW DO WE TRAVEL DURING THE WORKSHOP?

On most workshops, travel is the responsibility of the workshop participant. Participants usually get together on the first day and make arrangements to share car rides for field shoots. When able to do so safely, we encourage carpooling for the sake of camaraderie and to reduce the carbon footprint on our environment.

WHAT TYPES OF TOPICS ARE COVERED IN THE CLASS SESSIONS?

Class sessions are tailored to each workshop and are based on participant interests and goals for the workshop. Additional topics are designed to enhance participants’ skills for the type of shooting the location emphasizes. Examples of possible lectures include: 

• Enhancing depth through perspective

• Processing in black and white 

• High Dynamic Range workflow

• Night Photography and how to capture and process starlight and the Milky Way

• Improving your Landscape Photography design and technique

• Understanding Hyperfocal Focusing 

• Techniques for Close-up Photography

We also spend time in group critique sessions where you’ll share your work and receive constructive feedback to grow and improve your vision, compositional skills, and post-processing techniques. Critiques are also a great opportunity to enjoy and learn from the work of others in the group!

WILL THERE BE ANY FREE TIME?

Doug Johnson Photography wants to make sure you get the most from a workshop. Expect to be busy from morning until evening every day, with shooting, attending lectures and critiques, and downloading and preparing your images for critique. If you are attending a field workshop, remember that sunrises and sunsets will be part of the shooting schedule! While we work in some break time, we suggest you get some extra sleep before the workshop so you can arrive ready to take on the adventure! Workshops are intense and exhilarating learning experiences.

CAN I BRING A TRAVEL COMPANION?

On most of our workshops, we welcome non-photographing spouses or partners to join their partners for meals and location shoots. However, lectures, and critique sessions are not open to guests. Please contact us regarding guidelines for your specific workshop. (Note that for specific trips, such as Cuba, travel companions must pay the full participant price and are, therefore, eligible to fully participate in all aspects of the workshop. Contact Doug for additional information).

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Given the many uncertainties in today’s travel environment, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect yourself from circumstances that may prevent you from attending a workshop. Many travel insurance companies have policies regarding COVID-19; make sure you learn about a particular policy’s COVID coverage to see if you may want to purchase a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy.

Doug Johnson Photography is not responsible for losses in the event of a workshop cancellation. See below for information and link to the full DJP cancellation policy.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

In the event that DJP cancels a workshop, we will inform workshop participants as soon as possible and you will receive a full refund of all fees paid to DJP or you may choose to transfer those funds to a different DJP workshop.

Doug Johnson Photography is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other emergencies or reimbursement of any losses including non-refundable airline tickets, lodging, or otherwise, in the event of a workshop cancellation. We strongly encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance.

Workshop content may change from that advertised based on weather, access to shooting locations, and other unforeseen situations. Whenever possible, registered students will be notified ahead of time of any changes.

Please review the entire cancellation policy to learn about current policies and contact us with any questions.

IS THERE A COVID-19 POLICY?

DJP no longer requires participant attestation of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the event of a future public health emergency from COVID, DJP will shift to follow appropriate protocols based on recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and other national, state and local authorities. 

WHAT ARE DJP’s TERMS AND CONDITIONS?

Please view terms and conditions for Doug Johnson Photography Workshops here.