Fall Color Magic in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
As one travels north on I-75 through the state of Michigan, the landscape undergoes a remarkable shift around the vicinity of Saginaw Bay. This latitudinal swath has been defined as the botanical tension zone, where average soil temperatures drop enough to support northern boreal forests. North of Saginaw, an ever-increasing number of fir, spruce, tamarack, white cedar, and white birch appear along the roadside. By the time one reaches the tip of the Lower Peninsula, dense dark belts of conifers are a dominant feature.
Much of the Upper Peninsula, where the locals are known as “Yoopers”, is publicly owned state and federal lands, has incredible, accessible photographic opportunities. In the fall the forests are aflame with golden birch, lemony-yellow aspen, scarlet red maple, and orange sugar maple. Numerous seldom-used sand tracks provide frequent access to showy forests, with long sections where the woodland canopy arches over the roadway, forming fantastic tree tunnels ablaze with color. It’s here where our senses and sensors will delight in the finest autumn color anywhere.
Day 1
The photo tour begins in the city of Marquette with a group dinner and discussion about the week’s itinerary. We expect most participants will drive to Marquette but if you should decide to fly, Sawyer International Airport serves the area with regular flights and rental cars. Overnight in Marquette.
Day 2
Marquette is ideally situated where mighty Lake Superior meets the land with colorful tree-lined beaches. We start our day with a hike to a scenic location for sunrise followed by a full day of photographing the best of the area painted with autumn hues. Our lenses will delight in the myriad of landscape and macro opportunities. Overnight in Marquette.
Day 3
The day again starts with a sunrise shoot in another picturesque location and then we start our journey towards the pretty lake town of Munising with multiple stops along the way. Each stop will put us in situations for beautiful photography of Lake Superior, waterfalls and fall scenery. A sunset shoot and dinner caps off the day. Overnight in Munising.
Days 4 and 5
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore sports massive cliffs fronting Lake Superior, their rocks painted in subtle pastels of red, orange, and yellow. A visit to the white birch forest will have us delighting in the contrasting white papery bark against yellow leaves for iconic imagery like no other. Forays into a nearby national forest will be at the top of the agenda. Stunning bogs and glacial lakes dot the area, reflecting vibrant fall colors in their waters. We will visit numerous natural treasures like waterfalls (as many as time allows – Alger Falls, Wagner Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Munising Falls, Miners Falls, Chapel Falls) and we will drive miles of splashy tree tunnels on sand tracks that will envelope us with warm color. There is no shortage of photographic fodder and the opportunity to photograph individual leaves, mosses, reindeer lichens, and lots of other wee subjects will keep us busy. Overnight in Munising.
Day 6
Starts with sunrise shoot at a nearby area, a final group breakfast and then we depart for home with fantastic memories and images.
What’s included:
- Photo instructions, guidance and field techniques
- Editing instruction upon request
- Critiques upon request
- Breakfast is included with your accommodations
What’s not included:
- Transportation to and from the photo tour locations
- Transportation during the photo tour (car-pooling is highly recommended)
- Lodging (we will secure room discounts for our group). If you are interested in sharing a room/cost with another participant, let us know and we will put folks in touch with each other.
- Meals and snacks
Complete gear list, packing suggestions, hotels (with details on how to get group rates) and other details about the photo tour will be sent upon registration.
Enrollment Information
Deposit and Full Payment
All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. Deposits can be made with a check or by credit card. Final payment for your trip is due 90 days prior to departure.
- 1 and 3 day workshops- full payment, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to reserve your spot.
- 4 days+ tours – your deposit, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to hold your spot. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you sign up for a tour within 90 days of departure, the entire amount is due when you register.
Cancellations and Refunds
We understand that unforeseen events may come up and prevent you from attending the workshop/tour. If you need to cancel, we must receive written notification. Refunds will be processed according to these schedules:
One and three-day workshops (full payment paid in advance)
- 30-days or more prior to the first day of the event - if you paid with a credit card, we will provide a refund of the registration fee for the workshop less 6% of the total for administration and fees. If you paid by check, we will provide a full refund.
- 29-days or less prior to the first day of the event – If you paid with a credit card we will issue you a refund of the registration fee for the workshop less 6% of the total for administration and fees if your vacancy is filled. If you paid by check, we will provide a full refund if your refund is filled.
- 29-days or less prior to the first day of the event – if we cannot fill your vacancy, we will issue you a 50% refund less 6% of the total for administration and fees if you paid with a credit card. If you paid by check, we will provide you a 50% refund.
Tours longer than three-days (deposit paid in advance and final payment paid 120 days prior):
- 121+ days prior to departure – If you paid with a credit card, we will provide a refund of the registration fee less 6% for administration and fees. If you paid by check, we will provide a full refund.
- 120 to 90 days prior to departure – If you paid with a credit card, we will provide a 50% refund less 6% for adminstration and fees. If you paid by check, we will provide a 50% refund.
- 90 days or less prior to departure – NO REFUND
COVID 19 policy - Given the current national health conditions if you determine you cannot attend a workshop/tour due to health concerns, travel restrictions, or any other uncertainty related to the virus, OR if Focus on Photography cancels or postpones a workshop/tour, you will receive a refund of the registration fee for the workshop less 6% of the total for administration and fees if you paid by credit card. If you paid by check, you will receive a full refund. If Focus on Photography cancels or postpones, we cannot be responsible for any non-refundable travel or other expenses you may have incurred.
Travel Insurance
Travel protection insurance is recommended to protect your investment. Travelguard.com and allianztravelinsurance.com are 2 options that provide various types of coverage options.
Health Considerations
Most of our trips will involve elements of physical activity easily accomplished by the average person in good health. While some of our locations are near a road or parking lot, some are not. PLEASE be sure you are comfortable walking over uneven rocky terrain with your gear for 30 – 45 minutes at a time. We may shoot at all hours of the day and night (we try to take advantage of the best weather and light conditions), which may not be typical for some participants. Meals may not be taken at "normal" times so that we may take advantage of sunrise and sunset opportunities. Specific considerations are included in the description of each workshop/tour.
Medical circumstances or emergencies do not constitute grounds for exception to the cancellation policy. Therefore, trip cancellation and interruption insurance are recommended.
Smoking is not permitted in group vehicles, during meals, and at other times when secondhand smoke can affect the health and comfort of others.
Costs
Information about what is included/not included are summarized in the individual descriptions of each workshop/tour.
Trips that include overnight accommodations will be at your own cost.
Because of deposits forwarded and liabilities incurred by Focus on Photography Tours/Workshops no refund will be given for unused rooms, meals, transportation, etc.
Weather policy
We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Locations have been scouted and options are in place in case of uncooperative weather. Without putting participants at risk, the workshop will commence rain or shine, cold or warm, clear skies or cloudy. Refunds will not be issued because of the weather.
Responsibility
Focus on Photography LLC acts only as agents for the client in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.
Focus on Photography LLC can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in air schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Focus on Photography LLC is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy.
Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.
The Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks forms must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks, with no trip fee refund. No modification of the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form will be accepted.
