TakingBetterPhotos Smokies Tour FAQ

Below is an F.A.Q. sheet that should answer all your questions
about our tour in the Smokies.  If not, feel free to call me.

Jim

865 446-0546


               TBP Tour FAQ's
               (updated 10-2-15)

              "When are the tours?"
We generally do tours on Wednesday or Thursday, and some Saturdays.
We won't know about weather and park road closures until the week of
the tour date.  If we have to cancel a tour you will get a rain check we will
add tours another day to accommodate everyone.

             "How do we book our tour?"

Just call the week you are coming to town.  We will know the tour
schedule by then, 865 446-0546. We will ask for a Credit Card number
to hold as a guarantee, but you can pay with cash, check, Credit Card
Living Social Coupon, Groupon Coupon, A.A.A, or Reserve Direct Coupon
when you come to the tour.  If you are coming on a special offer you
MUST have the certificate or coupon when you arrive.
You MUST make a reservation.
We cannot guarantee a tour for walk-ins.

             "Can we show up at the last minute?"
The restaurant needs to know how many people are coming.  Sometimes it
works out.  Call us and we may be able to accommodate you at the last
minute but we will not be responsible if you have not made a reservation.
An answering machine message or an email is NOT a
reservation.  You must call to give us your information and be
confirmed.  Tour groups are limited to 25 people.

             "How much are the tours?"
$58.00 for Adults, and $16.00 for kids 16 and under.  The price
includes your class, lunch, audio CD, and tour instruction.

             "What is your cancellation policy?"
You may cancel up to 24 hours ahead of the tour with no penalty.  We
go rain or shine because for some people, this is their only week of
vacation.  If you need to cancel within 24 hours for any reason, I
will give you a rain check so you can come back any time within
one year.

             "Where do we meet?"
Each tour starts at Carino's Restaurant
(traffic Light #2 in Pigeon Forge, TN) at 10 am.
You MUST have a reservation.
Call 865 446-0546 to reserve your place.

            "Do you give tours all year?"

We do tours year round.  Our tours usually go on Wed, or Thurs, and
some Sat (with more or fewer as needed.)  Reservations are
necessary because we limit our group sizes.
You MUST make a reservation.

            "What does a tour consist of?

Each tour starts at Carino's Restaurant (traffic Light #2 in Pigeon
Forge, TN) at 10 am.  We start every tour with a Beginner Camera
Class, then have a delicious hot lunch (included in your package) then a
driving/walking tour (easy walking, no hiking) into the Smokies
for sightseeing, history and photo instruction.  It is perfectly appropriate
for kids and seniors. We keep our groups limited to 25 so we have
time to work with everyone and make sure everyone learns and has a good time.

             "How much walking do we do?"

These are driving tours and have very easy walking.  You do not need to have
hiking boots or special clothing.  I sometimes have people with canes, walkers and
wheel chairs on these tours.  We drive to the location and then get out to
explore a small area, then drive to the next stop.  There will be 2 or 3 steps
up into buildings because the park does not add ramps or other accessibility
features to historic structures, and we will be walking on grass or gravel,
so don't wear high heels.

            "I bought a "Living Social" or "Groupon" or "A.A.A." coupon 
            but the policies were confusing.  Can you tell me what they mean?"
Your coupon is good for a FULL tour (you just pay sales tax when
you arrive) until the "first date" i.e. Feb 29.  After that, your coupon is
still worth it's "face value"  (like cash)  TOWARD the full price of the tour
until the second date i.e. Aug 28. After the second date it has no value.
So plan to come tour soon.  We want you to use it!

          "Our organization wants to auction or give away a tour,

                                        or

          "I can't use my tour, can a friend use it?"

"Yes" and "yes" with these stipulations.   If you want to buy a
coupon and resell or auction it, you must tell the buyer
where you got it so I don't appear to be providing it.  When it is
presented we will honor any coupon presented as long as the
bearer can verify the "original purchaser" (so I can be sure it was not
stolen).  The person who presents the coupon will be responsible for
taxes and the other limitations of the coupon. Make sure to give the
coupon holder a print out of these FAQ's.

           "I just have a point-and-shoot camera,
           or a cell phone or a tablet, can I still go?"

Yes.  In fact people with point-and-shoots or cells, or tablets
are the focus of our class.  You can use any camera for this tour,
and you can share a camera among 2 or 3 people.  Advanced
shooters with DSLRs will get instruction in the field, but our class
at the beginning of the tour is for beginners.

          "I don't have a camera.  Can you recommend some?"

There are many good cameras on the market and prices are really cheap.  Look for
 1.  A camera you will carry.  It doesn't do any good to have a camera
you keep in a desk drawer.
 2.  Get the one with lots of optical zoom.  Look for "10 x optical
zoom" or more (not digital zoom).   Megapixels are not as important as
zoom.  8MP or more is plenty.
 3. Specifics?  Most recognizable companies (Canon, Nikkon, Kodak,
etc) make good cameras.
In the $150.00 range Kodak has a 10 mp with 10x zoom.  For $250.00
Canon  has 12x and 12mp.  For $350.00 the Canon and Kodak and
Nikkon have 24x and 10mp.  These can be found at Walmart,  Staples,
Circuit City, etc.

3 Cautions -
1. Do not buy a brand name you have never heard of.
2. Do not buy a camera with a touch screen.
3. Do not buy a camera so heavy that you will not carry it.

           "Do we have to ride on a bus?"

No. We understand how uncomfortable busses can be.  Everyone
drives his or her own vehicle and you will have a tour CD
to listen to as we drive the short distances in a car caravan.
We have found that people are more comfortable in their own
cars than on buses and on some tours we go to places where buses
could not get in.  This also allows the group some flexibility.  Some
people like to explore longer while others need to go back early
for a show etc.

If you have other questions feel free to call us at 865 446-0546
or check out

www.TakingBetterPhotos.NET

www.Facebook.com/TakingBetterPhotos

www.TripAdvisor.com and search "Taking Better Photos"

    Jim Eastin
Taking Better Photos
2225 Parkway #41
Pigeon Forge TN 37863-2997
865 446-0546