Photo Weekends FAQ

Are Photo Weekends for digital or film shooters?
Photo Weekends are appropriate for both digital and film shooters.
Do I need to bring a camera? What should I bring?
If you plan to take Photo Basics I or Photo Basics II, it may be helpful to have your camera to refer to during these classes. You do not need your camera for any of the other classes. Please bring your own note-taking materials as most people take lots of notes during the Weekend.
Will there be time for shooting?
No. Shooting is not part of the Photo Weekend. All Photo Weekends are lecture style.
Do I have to register ahead of time for the classes I want to take?
You do not need to decide which classes you want to attend until you are at the event. You can decide as you go, however, we suggest you take a look at the Course Descriptions before the Weekend so you can consider the topics that will be covered in each class.
How many people attend Photo Weekends?
Attendance ranges from 150 to 200 people per Weekend. This group is split in two groups for the majority of the weekend.
How early should I register to ensure a seat at a Photo Weekend?
Registrations often come in spurts, so even though there may be plenty of spots left for an event today, there may not be space tomorrow. Seating is limited to 200 at most events. We encourage you to sign up early to ensure a seat at the Weekend of your choice. In the past, some events have sold out as early as five weeks before the event.
What happens when an event sells out?
After an event sells out we stop processing registrations and start a waiting list for that Photo Weekend. There are always cancellations so we suggest that you put your name on the waiting list even if an event has sold out before you have registered.
How can I add my name to the waiting list?
To add your name to the waiting list, call or email our office and provide us with your name, phone number(s) and the event you would like to attend. You may call (800) 394-7677, or email weekends@rmsp.com. You will be notified by phone if a spot opens up.
What are my chances of getting registered for a Photo Weekend if I’m on a waiting list?
Your chances depend on where you are on the list and how many cancellations we have for that particular Photo Weekend. The number of cancellations we receive for each Weekend varies. We will continue to contact people on the waiting list up until 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) the Friday before the event.
When is the deadline to sign up?
There is no deadline to sign up, however, seating is limited to 200 people at most events and all registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage participants to sign up early in order to guarantee a seat.
What is your cancellation policy?
Tuition is refunded in full minus a $25 processing fee (per participant) if you notify RMSP at least five days before the event. If your cancellation is received fewer than five days prior to the Photo Weekend, full tuition is retained by RMSP. No refunds are given for cancellations or no-shows after the Weekend is in progress. Refunds will be processed within 30 days after our office receives notice of cancellation.
Do I have to pay for the Photo Weekend now?
Yes, tuition is due at the time of registration. If registering by phone, you can pay with a credit card. You may pay with a check by printing a Photo Weekends Registration Form, filling it out and mailing it in with your payment. When registering online you will not have the option of sending in a check. Mailed or faxed registrations must be received in our office before an event has sold out. If we receive your registration after an event has sold out we will notify you and place your name on the waiting list.
If I am part of a group, do I save on registration?
If you are part of a group of five or more people attending a Photo Weekend you can save $20 on the tuition for two-day registration and $10 for one-day registration. Early bird and online savings have already been included in the group savings.
What do I do to set up my group and get a group code?
Let the person you speak with know that you would like to set up a group and receive a group code for Photo Weekend registration. You will be asked for your group or camera club name and we will give you a code to distribute to your group members. Once the members of your group have the code, they may call in or register online using the code to receive the group savings. You may also fax or email the list of names and contact information of those in your group. Remember to submit name, address, telephone number, email address and payment information for each person being registered.
How do I know what our group code is?
If you don’t know your group’s code, or don’t know if one has been assigned to your group, call our office and we can give you a code. If your group had a code that was assigned in previous years, it will no longer be valid. New group codes are assigned each year.
If I have a group code can I register after a Photo Weekend event has sold out?
No. Obtaining a group code does not ensure your seat at an event until you have registered for the Weekend. We suggest you register early.
Can I get a discount if I attend two Photo Weekend events?
No, but you can save $5 for early registration (30 days in advance) and $5 for registering online.
How do I sign up more than one person? How do I sign up someone else?
If you are registering online, at step one of the registration process you can choose to register someone other than yourself. After you have registered that person you will have the option to register another person. Whether calling in to register or registering online you will need to have the name, address, telephone number, payment information and email address for each person you would like to register. Confirmations and additional information will automatically be sent to each registration via email so please enter the email address for each person you register.
I received a gift certificate from my camera club for the Photo Weekend event. What do I need to do?
Please call our office to register, free of charge, for the Photo Weekend you wish to attend. Have the gift certificate handy when you call because you will be asked to provide the certificate code located in the upper right corner of the certificate. Please keep in mind that even though you have a gift card, you must still register for the Weekend you wish to attend before it is sold out to guarantee your seat.
I received a $50 coupon after attending a Photo Weekend last year. Can I use it on a Weekend event this year?
Any coupon or gift card you received at a previous Photo Weekend is good toward any RMSP Workshop or Career Training course. The savings cannot be applied toward another Weekend.
I have taken RMSP Workshops and Photo Weekends in the past and am now a “Friend” of RMSP (which means I save $50 when registering for Workshops). Can I use this discount toward my Weekend tuition?
No. The “Friends” savings may only be applied to RMSP Workshops.
Will I receive confirmation after I register?
If we have an email address on file for you, you will receive an immediate message confirming your registration. The email will include a link to access event information specific to the Photo Weekend you’ve registered for, including a weekend schedule and venue information. If we do not have an email address for you, you will not receive a confirmation message but you may call our office at (800) 394- 7677 to confirm your registration.
Will I receive any information ahead of time?
Three weeks prior to each event, RMSP emails the link to your event information. This is the same link you received in your confirmation email immediately after registering for the Photo Weekend and includes information such as directions to the venue, parking information and a schedule. If you did not provide an email address when registering, please call the office and provide an email address that we can email the information to. The event information is also available on the Details page for the Photo Weekend you are attending.
Can my spouse and I share the Photo Weekend – each go one day and pay the $189?
No. Tuition cannot be shared. The cost to attend one day is $139 per person.
I will not be able to stay for the whole Weekend. Can I just pay for the sessions I am able to attend?
No. The cost for the event is the same regardless of how much of it you are able to attend.
I would like to buy this as a gift for my spouse. Can you send me something that I can wrap and give to him or her?
Certainly. We will send a packet with a customized gift letter and our latest catalog. Follow the instructions online to purchase a Photo Weekend as a gift or call our office.
Can I bring an audio recorder for the lectures?
Yes, you may bring an audio recording device to record lectures. Visual recording of the lectures is not allowed. Please ask individual instructors for permission before photographing their presentation slides. Presentations are the intellectual property of each instructor.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is on your own. We try to suggest convenient lunch options near the hotel. You are welcome to bring your own lunch.
Do you have special rates at the hotel?
Yes. At each event, we have blocked a limited number of rooms for Friday and Saturday nights at a special group rate. On our website see the Details link under the event you are attending for rates and reservation information. There is usually a cutoff date of approximately 30 days so we encourage you to make your reservation early.