Since enrollment is limited, we encourage you to apply early. Call to check availability before registering. Please do not make travel plans before registering or being told a workshop is a “go.” We encourage you to choose more than one workshop in case your first choice is full. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: The minimum age requirement to take any workshop is 18 and we kindly request that alumni of the workshops not repeat the same instructor’s workshop in the same location in consecutive years.

We provide some exclusive private and shared cabins inside our proporty. But for any particular reason you want to book any other lodge, hostel or hotel we could share some friendly names on our surroundings.

There are 2 possibilities to arrive in Futaleufu. International flights must land in Buenos Aires (Argentina)  or Santiago (Chile).

The easier way is to fly to Buenos Aires, spend a night there in this romantic latin city then take a second flight to Esquel. From Esquel it’s a roll of 2 hours driving + border tramites. We can help you arrange a shuttle of renting a car + docs.

If you arrive in Santiago you’d have to take one more flight to Puerto Montt where you can choose either take a Jet Flight to Chaiten Aerodromo or arrive in Chaiten by car + ferry. From Chaiten its around 3 hours drive up to Futaleufu.

A deposit of $ 1,000 is required at the time of booking. The invoice for the balance of payment will be issued 60 days prior to departure, where after final payment is due. For reservations made within 60 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. In order to participate on a Better Moments workshop the participant must have made full payment prior to the start of the workshop. The payment terms can be stricter when the workshop includes chartered ships or planes, and any variation will be communicated clearly on the invoice.

In order to participate in a workshop you are required to have comprehensive insurance coverage for personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs during the workshop. In addition we strongly recommend that you arrange cancellation and travel insurance covering the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, cancellation of the workshop (whether in whole or in part), loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, as well as flight cancellations and delays.

All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective on the date, which the letter or email is received by MAPU Chile. There is no cancellation charge until 120 days before departure, however until 24 hours after making the deposit payment it will be refunded in cash, afterwards a voucher will be issued. The voucher is valid for a booking with MAPU Chile for up to 1 year from the issue date, and cannot be exchanged for cash. Cancellation charges less than 180 days before departure are expressed as a percentage of the total price, and are as follows: 179 – 150 days before departure 50%, and 149 days or less before departure 100%. This policy also applies to pre- and post-trip extensions. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier’s refund policy. Leaving a workshop in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of a workshop. We reserve the right to cancel a workshop because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate, or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. For this, we closely follow and respect worldwide travel warnings issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If a workshop is cancelled prior to departure, you will have a choice between a full refund or a credit towards a future MAPU Chile workshop equivalent to amount paid. If we cancel the trip in progress, you will receive a pro-rata refund based on the number of days. We are not responsible for any refund for airline tickets, hotel accommodation, etc. purchased by the participant. In the event of the specified photo expert being unable to attend due to illness or other circumstances beyond our control, a photo expert of the same standard will be provided. If this is not possible, then the workshop will be cancelled and the provisions above will come into effect

MAPU Chile and its designated tour operator and tour administrator shall not be held liable for (a) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider; and (b) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against MAPU Chile and/or its designated tour operator and tour administrator for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. 

MAPU Chile and its designated tour operator and tour administrator shall not be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket to or from the participant’s MAPU Chile workshop departure city. It is the sole responsibility of the participants to organize their own transportation to and from the meeting point as described in the workshop itinerary, e.g. airport, hotel, and to ensure timely arrival. The participant should not book flights and/or hotel accommodation until MAPU Chile have issued final confirmation for the workshop. In the event of late arrival it is the responsibility of the participant to join the workshop, and to carry all associated expenses. MAPU Chile is not liable if the participant misses any portion of, or the entire workshop as a result of the delay. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the responsibility of the participant.

We reserve the right to take photographs or videos during the operation of any workshop or part thereof and to use the resulting photography, videos, or recordings for promotional or commercial use. If the participant prefers that his/her likeness not to be used, he/she must notify us in writing prior to departure.

Basis of rates
All prices are quoted in USD ($). The prices are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, we reserve the right to do so, and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.

If you have special requests, e.g. dietary, cabin number, bedding type, airline seat or other requests, you should inform us of these at the time of booking. We will advise the relevant supplier of your requirements, but we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met, and will have no liability to you if such requests are not met.

The Workshops welcomes all levels of photographers, from beginners to professionals. We want to make sure you find the workshop tailored to your interests and skill levels, so we collaborated with our instructors to provide the info you need to make an informed decision. Each workshop description indicates the skill level required (Who Should Attend), the technical skills participants are expected to have (What You Should Know), special details for that workshop (Special Notes), and if an image submission is required for acceptance (Portfolio). We welcome phone calls to discuss workshop details, 505-983-1400 ext 111.

Who Should Attend

Four photography levels help identify the appropriate workshops for you: Beginners, Amateurs, Advanced Amateurs, and Professionals.

BEGINNERS have little to no experience with digital cameras, photography, or image editing software.

AMATEURS have been photographing for a while, have a working knowledge of the basic features on their cameras, and are familiar with digital workflow and image editing software.

ADVANCED AMATEURS have a working knowledge of manual mode on their cameras, have a working knowledge of digital workflow and image editing software, and are familiar with artificial lighting, digital printing, or other techniques as required in a particular workshop.

PROFESSIONALS earn a majority of their income from their photography, have a substantial body of work, and are proficient in all aspects of photography, as required in a particular workshop.

Regardless of your photographic skills, all participants are expected to have a working knowledge of how to use a laptop computer. If you are having a hard time determining your skill level, please call us, 505-983-1400 ext 111, and our staff will help you assess which level is most appropriate for you.

For more information about digital SLR guidelines, computer requirements, and manual mode please see the Cameras and Equipment section.

What You Should Know

We want to make sure that you feel confident working not only with your instructor, but also with other participants. The desire of staff, instructors, and participants alike is to maintain a consistent level of photographic proficiency in every workshop. Since each workshop has a unique set of technical skills, there are three standard phrases to indicate expected knowledge.

FAMILIARITY: You have a basic understanding

WORKING KNOWLEDGE: You are competent and can navigate comfortably

PROFICIENCY: You have in-depth experience and are a high-end user

As an example, you might see: Working knowledge of your digital SLR camera; familiarity with digital workflow and Adobe Lightroom.

Manual Mode on Your Camera
Working knowledge of your camera in manual mode means that you are capable and comfortable with evaluating your in-camera light meter and choosing the appropriate manual settings.

The following statements can help determine your comfort level with manual mode:

• You have a working knowledge of aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode, and understand the difference between each setting.
• You understand how to adjust the aperture and shutter speed to control the light your camera captures.
• You understand that in order to maintain the correct exposure, as aperture becomes larger, shutter speed becomes faster.

Special Notes

This area indicates unique details about a particular workshop. It is typically used to communicate special technology information, such as computer workstations provided to participants for workshops held in the Digital Lab.

Portfolio Requirement

Many of the workshops for Advanced Amateurs and Professionals require you to submit a selection of 20 images; when a portfolio is required it is indicated on the workshop description page. For complete submission guidelines, see the Portfolios section.

The Workshops staff is always available to answer your questions or help you find the workshop that best suits you. Give us a call at 505-983-1400 x111.

• Bring you own laptop computer.
• Storage medium.
• Camera bodie(s).
• Lenses, If you are working with a 24x36mm camera system, lenses from 12mm to approx. 55mm are a good choice as well as a ‘long lens’ such as a 180mm. If you are working with a medium format camera, lenses from 28mm to approx. 80mm, and a ‘long lens’ such as a 300 mm, are advisable.
• Bag for all camera gear.
• Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories.
• Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses.
• Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses.
• Charger for batteries.
• Spare batteries.
• Standard power converter.
• Raw processing software.
• Memory cards and card wallets.
• Memory card reader.
• USB key to exchange images.
• Tripod.
• Lens extenders.
• Camera straps for ease of changing from one camera to another.
• Graduated filter set.
• Filter holder.
• High quality polarizing filter.
• Lens belt.

For more information about private workshop or special groups arrangements please  contact us by email hola@mapuchile.com