Terms & Conditions
Last updated: July 16, 2026
These Terms & Conditions apply to all tours, workshops, expeditions, and other programs offered by Brandon A. Guell LLC, operating publicly as Brandon A. Güell and Conservation Photography Experiences (“we,” “us,” or “our”).
Our Conservation Photography Experiences are founded on respect—for wildlife, wild places, local communities, and one another. These policies are intended to provide a safe, ethical, transparent, and rewarding experience for every participant.
By registering for a program, submitting a deposit, or making any payment, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
1. Registration and Eligibility
Registration is not confirmed until:
We have accepted your registration;
The required deposit has been received; and
Any requested registration forms have been completed.
Participation is generally limited to adults age 18 or older. A participant under age 18 may attend only with prior written approval and a participating parent or legal guardian.
We reserve the right to decline or cancel a registration when we reasonably determine that a program may not be appropriate for a prospective participant’s health, fitness, conduct, expectations, or ability to participate safely.
2. Deposits and Payment Schedule
Unless a program page states otherwise, the following payment schedule applies:
A nonrefundable deposit equal to 25% of the program price is required to reserve a place.
A second payment equal to 25% of the program price is due 180 days before the program begins.
The remaining 50% balance is due 90 days before the program begins.
For registrations made fewer than 180 days before departure, 50% of the total program price is due at registration.
For registrations made fewer than 90 days before departure, the full program price is due at registration.
Program-specific payment terms published on an individual workshop page or invoice supersede this general schedule.
Participants are responsible for making payments by the stated deadlines. A reservation may be cancelled and previously paid amounts forfeited when a required payment remains unpaid after written notice and a reasonable opportunity to resolve the missed payment.
All prices and payments are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified.
3. Participant Cancellations
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to brandonaguell@gmail.com. The effective cancellation date is the date we receive the written request.
Unless otherwise stated on the applicable program page:
The initial 25% deposit is nonrefundable.
For cancellations received 91 days or more before the program begins, payments received beyond the initial deposit will be refunded.
For cancellations received 61–90 days before the program begins, we will retain 50% of the total program price.
For cancellations received 31–60 days before the program begins, we will retain 75% of the total program price.
For cancellations received 30 days or fewer before the program begins, the full program price is nonrefundable.
No refund or credit will be provided for:
Arriving late or departing early;
Missing an activity, excursion, meal, transfer, or other included service;
Voluntarily leaving the program;
Being removed for unsafe, unlawful, disruptive, or unethical conduct;
Wildlife sightings or natural events that do not occur; or
A participant’s inability to travel because of illness, injury, passport issues, flight disruptions, work obligations, or other personal circumstances.
When practical, we may allow a participant to transfer a reservation to another qualified person, subject to written approval, supplier restrictions, administrative costs, and any price differences. Transfers are not guaranteed.
4. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance soon after registering for a program.
Participants should consider coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical care, medical evacuation and repatriation, travel delays, missed connections, baggage, and photographic equipment. Because some benefits—particularly coverage for pre-existing medical conditions—may only be available when insurance is purchased shortly after the initial deposit, participants should review policy terms and deadlines carefully.
Each participant is solely responsible for evaluating and arranging appropriate insurance coverage. Brandon A. Guell LLC does not provide travel insurance and is not responsible for costs arising from illness, injury, evacuation, travel disruptions, lost or damaged equipment, or a participant’s inability to attend.
Our published cancellation and refund policies apply regardless of whether a participant purchases travel insurance or whether an insurance claim is approved.
5. Cancellation or Changes by Brandon A. Guell LLC
We will make reasonable efforts to operate each program as advertised. However, we reserve the right to cancel, postpone, modify, or reschedule a program when necessary because of:
Insufficient enrollment;
Severe weather or natural disasters;
Unsafe travel or field conditions;
Government restrictions or public-health emergencies;
Political instability, strikes, or civil unrest;
Illness or unavailability of a leader;
Supplier cancellation or failure;
Transportation interruptions;
Wildlife, research, or conservation conditions;
Force majeure; or
Other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
If we cancel a program for insufficient enrollment before departure, participants will receive a refund of program payments made directly to us.
If a program is cancelled, interrupted, or materially changed because of force majeure or circumstances outside our control, any refund will be limited to amounts we have not already paid or irrevocably committed to third-party suppliers. We will make reasonable efforts to recover additional funds, but recovery cannot be guaranteed.
We are not responsible for costs incurred independently by participants, including international airfare, hotels, visas, vaccinations, equipment purchases, insurance premiums, or other travel arrangements. Participants should avoid purchasing nonrefundable travel arrangements without adequate insurance.
6. Flexible Itineraries and Wildlife Sightings
Published itineraries describe the intended experience but are not contractual guarantees of particular activities, routes, instructors, accommodations, wildlife encounters, or schedules.
Wildlife behavior, weather, trail conditions, conservation activities, research schedules, and transportation can change with little notice. We may modify the itinerary to improve safety, respond to conditions, reduce disturbance, or pursue promising photographic opportunities.
No wildlife species, nesting event, hatchling release, research activity, or natural behavior is guaranteed. This includes explosive amphibian breeding events, sea turtle nesting or releases, rare species sightings, and other seasonal phenomena.
The unpredictability of wildlife is part of authentic nature photography. We will use local knowledge, scientific expertise, and responsible field practices to pursue the best opportunities available without compromising wildlife welfare.
7. Included and Excluded Services
Each program page identifies the services included in its advertised price. Depending on the program, these may include accommodations, meals, domestic transportation, photography instruction, local guides, activities, entrance fees, and conservation programming.
Unless expressly included in writing, program prices do not include:
International airfare;
Pre- or post-program accommodations;
Passport or visa expenses;
Travel or medical insurance;
Alcoholic beverages;
Personal snacks and purchases;
Laundry;
Gratuities;
Excess baggage or photographic-equipment fees;
Medical treatment or evacuation; or
Costs caused by delays, missed flights, itinerary changes, or personal circumstances.
Included transportation applies only at the designated times and locations. Participants who miss a scheduled group transfer are responsible for arranging and paying for alternative transportation.
8. Accommodations, Roommates, and Meals
Unless otherwise stated, prices are based on double occupancy.
Participants requesting private accommodations may be charged a single supplement, subject to availability. A participant willing to share may be paired with another participant when appropriate. When no suitable roommate is available, the participant may be responsible for the applicable single supplement.
Accommodation standards vary by destination and may include ecolodges, research stations, field campuses, cabins, or other locally appropriate lodging. Electricity, internet access, climate control, hot water, and other amenities may be limited or intermittent.
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary restrictions disclosed during registration. However, remote destinations may not be able to accommodate every preference, allergy, or medically required diet. Participants with serious allergies or dietary needs should contact us before registering.
9. Participant Health and Fitness
Participants are responsible for determining whether they are medically and physically capable of completing the program.
Programs may involve:
Heat, humidity, rain, mud, and intense sun;
Uneven, slippery, steep, or unmaintained trails;
Early mornings and late-night excursions;
Extended periods of walking, standing, or carrying equipment;
Wildlife, insects, venomous animals, and tropical plants;
Boats, small aircraft, four-wheel-drive vehicles, or other transportation;
Remote locations with delayed access to medical care; and
Physically demanding or rapidly changing field conditions.
Participants must disclose relevant medical, mobility, dietary, or accessibility needs before the program. We may request additional information or medical clearance when reasonably necessary for safety.
Participants are responsible for carrying necessary medications and managing their own health during travel.
10. Assumption of Risk and Separate Liability Waiver
International travel, wildlife observation, photography, hiking, boating, transportation, and field activities involve inherent and other risks that cannot be eliminated completely.
These may include injury, illness, allergic reaction, falls, vehicle or aircraft incidents, encounters with wildlife, bites or stings, environmental hazards, limited medical care, theft, property loss, and—in rare cases—permanent disability or death.
Participants knowingly accept the risks associated with the program and are required to sign a separate Participant Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Release of Liability before departure.
A participant who does not complete the required agreement by the stated deadline may not participate and will be subject to the applicable cancellation policy.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive rights or liabilities that cannot lawfully be waived.
11. Participant Conduct
Participants must act respectfully toward fellow participants, leaders, local guides, staff, community members, wildlife, and the places visited.
Participants agree to:
Follow reasonable safety and field instructions;
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, permits, and site rules;
Avoid conduct that endangers themselves or others;
Respect local communities and cultural practices;
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or disruptive behavior;
Use alcohol responsibly;
Avoid illegal drugs and unlawful activity; and
Respect the schedules, privacy, and experience of the group.
We may remove a participant whose conduct is unsafe, unlawful, disruptive, abusive, or inconsistent with our conservation and ethics standards. A removed participant is responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation and accommodations and will not receive a refund.
12. Ethical Wildlife Photography
All participants must follow our ethical wildlife photography standards.
Wildlife will be photographed in situ, in its natural environment. Participants may not handle, restrain, reposition, collect, bait, feed, provoke, pursue, corner, or otherwise manipulate wildlife for a photograph.
Participants must also:
Maintain appropriate distances;
Minimize noise, light, playback, and repeated disturbance;
Avoid damaging vegetation, nests, burrows, breeding sites, or habitat;
Follow instructions concerning flash photography and artificial lighting;
Never disclose sensitive wildlife locations when doing so could create risk;
Follow all instructions from program leaders, researchers, guides, and land managers; and
Comply with all local wildlife-protection laws and regulations.
The welfare of wildlife always takes priority over obtaining an image. We may immediately end an activity or remove a participant whose behavior threatens an animal, habitat, research project, or conservation program.
13. Leave No Trace and Environmental Responsibility
Participants agree to minimize their environmental impact and follow Leave No Trace principles and destination-specific conservation practices.
This includes properly disposing of waste, staying on approved routes where required, avoiding the collection of natural or cultural objects, reducing unnecessary resource use, and following all biosecurity procedures.
Our group size, activity design, and field practices are intended to reduce disturbance while supporting responsible ecotourism and conservation education.
14. Local Partners and Independent Suppliers
We may arrange services through independent third parties, including airlines, lodging providers, transportation companies, restaurants, local guides, landowners, conservation organizations, researchers, and activity operators.
These providers are independent entities and are not employees or agents of Brandon A. Guell LLC unless expressly stated otherwise.
We do not control and are not responsible for the acts, omissions, financial condition, equipment, schedules, policies, or performance of independent providers. Participants are also subject to the terms and rules imposed by those providers.
15. Photography Instruction and Participant Equipment
Photography instruction is educational in nature. Individual results depend on experience, preparation, equipment, field conditions, wildlife behavior, and personal creative decisions.
Participants are responsible for bringing suitable, functional equipment and for protecting, insuring, carrying, storing, and backing up their equipment and files.
We are not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, malfunctioning, or incompatible photographic equipment, electronics, luggage, memory cards, files, or other personal property.
Participants retain copyright in the photographs and recordings they create, subject to applicable laws, permits, site restrictions, research protections, and third-party rights.
16. Photography, Video, and Promotional Media
We may photograph or record workshop activities for documentary, educational, and promotional use, including on websites, social media, newsletters, presentations, and advertising.
Participants may opt out of identifiable promotional use by notifying us in writing before the program begins. We will make reasonable efforts to respect that request, although incidental inclusion in wide group or background scenes may sometimes be unavoidable.
We may quote participant feedback or testimonials with permission or in a manner consistent with the context in which they were provided.
Participants must obtain consent before making intrusive photographs or recordings of other participants, staff, researchers, or community members.
17. Research Sites and Sensitive Information
Some programs may visit active research sites, conservation projects, nesting areas, restoration sites, or locations containing sensitive wildlife information.
Participants may be asked not to photograph, record, publish, geotag, or disclose specific activities, methods, people, data, or locations.
All instructions concerning research confidentiality, wildlife sensitivity, community privacy, embargoed information, and site protection must be followed.
Access to a research or conservation activity may be changed or withdrawn at any time to protect wildlife, participants, personnel, data, or ongoing work.
18. Conservation Contributions
A portion of workshop proceeds may be directed toward local conservation initiatives, community-based conservation, scientific research, habitat protection, or carefully selected climate and carbon-removal efforts.
The recipient, amount, percentage, timing, and form of support may vary among programs unless a specific commitment is stated in writing on the applicable program page.
Program fees are payments for travel and educational services and are not charitable contributions by the participant. We do not represent that any portion of a participant’s payment is tax-deductible.
19. Travel Documents and Entry Requirements
Participants are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining:
A valid passport;
Required visas or entry authorizations;
Required vaccinations or health documentation;
Airline and immigration documentation;
Any necessary prescriptions; and
Compliance with customs, baggage, and equipment rules.
Entry requirements may change. Participants should consult official government and public-health sources and confirm requirements independently.
No refund will be provided when a participant cannot travel because of missing, invalid, expired, delayed, or inadequate documentation.
20. Program Information and Required Forms
Participants may be required to provide information necessary to arrange lodging, transportation, meals, insurance verification, emergency response, and other services.
This may include contact information, passport details, dietary needs, health considerations, flight information, emergency contacts, and insurance information.
Participants are responsible for providing complete and accurate information by the stated deadlines. Failure to do so may affect our ability to provide included services and may result in removal from the program without a refund when participation cannot be arranged safely or legally.
21. Privacy
Personal information will be collected and used only as reasonably necessary to administer the program, communicate with participants, arrange services, respond to emergencies, satisfy legal obligations, and operate the business.
Necessary information may be shared with airlines, lodging providers, guides, insurers, emergency responders, and other service providers involved in delivering the program.
Sensitive health and identification information will not be used for marketing purposes.
22. Prices and Surcharges
We make reasonable efforts to honor published prices. However, international programs may be affected by substantial changes in exchange rates, taxes, government fees, fuel costs, airfare, supplier pricing, or other expenses beyond our control.
Before final payment, we reserve the right to adjust the program price when necessary to address a material and unforeseen cost increase. Participants will be notified promptly and may be offered options appropriate to the circumstances.
Once full payment has been received, no surcharge will be imposed except for participant-requested changes, newly imposed government charges, or costs caused by circumstances outside our control when permitted by law.
23. Website Information and Errors
We make reasonable efforts to keep program descriptions, prices, dates, photographs, and other website information accurate. However, typographical errors, outdated information, technical errors, and inadvertent omissions may occur.
We reserve the right to correct errors and update information. Photographs are illustrative and do not guarantee particular wildlife sightings, accommodations, conditions, or photographic results.
24. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
Before initiating formal legal proceedings, the parties agree to make a good-faith effort to resolve any dispute through direct written communication and informal negotiation.
Unless applicable law requires otherwise, any legal action relating to these Terms or a program must be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Minnesota.
25. Severability and Entire Agreement
If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
These Terms, the applicable program page, invoice, registration materials, participant agreement, liability waiver, and any written program-specific policies constitute the agreement between the participant and Brandon A. Guell LLC.
When program-specific written terms conflict with these general Terms, the program-specific terms control.
No verbal statement or informal communication modifies these Terms unless confirmed in writing by an authorized representative of Brandon A. Guell LLC.
26. Updates to These Terms
We may update these Terms periodically. The version applicable to a participant is generally the version presented and accepted at the time of registration, except when a change is required by law or agreed to in writing.
27. Contact Information
Questions about these Terms & Conditions may be directed to:
Brandon A. Guell LLC
Operating as Brandon Güell | Conservation Photography Experiences
Email: brandonaguell@gmail.com
Mailing address: 1454 Dale St. N. Saint Paul, MN 55117
Website: brandonguell.com