Where does the festival take place?

The Festival is based at the Hyatt Regency Suites Hotel. Our Workshop Program is based at the fabulous Moroccan-inspired Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs, California. Our Sponsor’s Headquarters area, Seminars, Portfolio Review Program and Registration are based at the Hyatt throughout each day. Our Symposiums, Evening Presentations and parties are held at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Korakia, the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Hyatt are all within three short blocks of each other.

Do I need to pay a Daily Registration Fee to attend the festival?

A $75 daily registration fee is required for each day of Festival attendance. This entitles the attendee to free admittance to many of our 20 Seminars, our daily Symposium, Evening Presentation and parties. Workshops, Portfolio Reviews, Tech Consultations and some of our Seminars are charged additional. Lunch is available with 24 hour’s notice or online in advance of the festival.

If I attend a Workshop, do I still need to pay a registration fee?

Yes, however, Workshop attendees will receive a 25% discount from the daily registration fee for each day of their workshop when they complete their registration

Do I have to pay a Registration Fee for Sunday if I want to attend the Open Portfolio Review and the Opening Reception?

No, both are free to registered attendees. There is no charge to attend Sunday.

Do I have to pay a Registration Fee for Friday if I attend the festival on other days?

No, if you have registered for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, you don’t need to pay a registration fee for Friday. Your badge will admit you to Friday’s free Seminars and Sponsor Headquarters area at the Hyatt Regency.

What is your Cancellation Policy if I have to cancel my registration?

Refunds may be submitted at any time until February 28, for which a $15 cancellation fee will be charged. For those canceling a workshop, the administrative fee is $75. After February 28, all fees are non-refundable except in case of any course cancellation. To cancel your registration, simply return to your registration page and click on the Cancel link at the top of the page.

Where do I send my slide show for your Slide Show Contest?

You can FTP your show by first putting your files in a Zip file, then upload it to us by using Yousendit.com or Megaupload.com. Our email address for uploading the zip file is slideshow@palmspringsphotofestival.com. You can also send it before March 1 to Palm Springs Photo Festival, P.O. Box 69405, Los Angeles, California 90069. For further information on our free Slide Show Contest, click here

If I submit a slide show, do I need to use Royalty Free music?

A Word about music copyrights: If your slide show is accepted as a finalist, to be shown in our Evening Presentation, you will need to obtain the synchronization rights from the music publisher and the master use rights from the recording company (record label). These are not difficult to obtain and the cost is minimal. We can also try to help you to obtain these permissions if you have difficulties, but we cannot be held responsible for doing so. Another option is to use royalty-free music, which is easy to obtain by searching royalty-free music on Google. A wide range of music is available to choose from. Please indicate on your submission if you’ve used royalty-free music.

How does the Portfolio Review Program work?

Each morning beginning at 8:00 am, attendees can line up at one of two lines and register for the reviews of their choice. Once at the front of the line, you will choose from a large screen which displays all available reviews for that day. Once you make your first selection, you return to the line and make your second selection and so on. The line moves very fast. All you have to do is state the name of the reviewer and the time and it’s entered into our system. We print you a receipt which you present at the appointed time. Reviews are by appointment only (sign up daily). You are guaranteed five 20-minute portfolio reviews. Price is $250. Additional series of five reviews each may be purchased. You should be present in our waiting area at least 15 minutes before your review. We reserve the option to allow others to take the review if you’re not there when the review is scheduled to begin.

Can I buy additional Portfolio Reviews once I’m at the Festival?

Portfolio Reviews are available in groups of 5 online or at the Festival Registration offices. You will also be able to add additional Portfolio Reviews at the Portfolio Review area of the Hyatt Hotel.

I see Sunday is free from Daily Registration fees if I’m signed up for any other day of the festival. Why does the Open Portfolio Review cost $75?

Both Sunday, March 28 and Friday, April 2 are free (no daily registration fees) if you have paid for a minimum of one day of Festival Registration during the week. All registered (minimum one day) attendees are invited to visit the Open Portfolio Review on Sunday, March 28 at no charge. In order to participate in the Open Portfolio Review, you have to have signed up for Portfolio Reviews. If you haven’t, you can still participate in the Open Portfolio Review for a fee of $75.

Your 800 Phone Number doesn’t work from Canada. How can I contact you from here?

You can call us at 310.289.5030

Where can we get lunch?

Workshop students receive a FREE boxed lunches for each full day of their workshop. Simply choose the lunches you want on our registration site and the workshop assistant will assure your lunch is delivered to your workshop each day.

We’ve made arrangements with the Hyatt Regency to provide nutritious lunches at very affordable prices to our attendees. There are also many nice restaurants within walking distance to Korakia in Palm Springs. A list of our favorites is published in our program, available at the festival.

Can you recommend a hotel close to the Festival?

The Official Attendee Headquarters is our partner venue, the HYATT REGENCY SUITES Hotel. Suites as low as $109.00 are offered to attendees of the Palm Springs Photo Festival. A direct link to the Hyatt can be found on our website Click Here for more information.