Wild Utah
May 3 – 11, 2024
2 Spots Left
Monument Valley, Hunts Mesa, and Muley Point
April 29 – May 5, 2025
Monument Valley Tribal Park lies along the borders of Utah and Arizona within the Navajo Nation. The Park was established in 1935 to protect the region’s many natural features, including the towers of de Chelly Sandstone, Moenkopi Formation, and Shinarump Conglomerate. Sculpted into fantastical shapes by thousands of years of wind and erosion, these structures form some of the American West’s most iconic views.
We’ll be working with local Navajo guides who know the country better than anyone. We will be rising early, before dawn to reach locations inside the valley to photograph the Milky Way above the monuments. During the daylight hours, we’ll journey to classic locations like the North Window, Eye in the Sky, and some lesser-known spots. We’ll spend a full day out photographing Hunts Mesa, and our guides will prepare us a hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the field with amazing views.
Along the way, you’ll learn the art of composition and which camera techniques will allow you to best capture the area’s geologic wonders. We’ll visit the valley in the morning, the evening, and in the darkest hours of the night to photograph the Milky Way draped over the buttes. When not in the field, we’ll hold classroom learning and image review sessions at a comfortable, beautifully positioned hotel.
Your Pros
Location
Arizona, USA
Tuition
$7,995
Dates
April 29 – May 5, 2025
Availability
Open for Registration
Limited to 8 Guests
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
April 29, 2025: Meet at The View Hotel by 3:00 PM for check-in and orientation. Sunset shoot to follow.
April 30, 2025: We plan to leave well before dawn and venture into Monument Valley to photograph the galactic core of the Milky Way over moneuments. After our morning photography session, we’ll have a nice warm breakfast and downtime, before an image review. After lunch we’ll head out into the valley again to visit and photograph other great features of the park until sunset.
May 1, 2025: At this time of year, the early spring sunrise turns the monuments pink and orange. This will be an adventurous long day exploring Hunts Mesa. We’ll arrive early for sunrise and peer down onto the “Yei be Chi Rocks” and the “Totem Pole.” followed by a hot breakfast, hot tea, or coffee, and then we’ll explore and photograph sandstone monuments and arches up near the rim of the mesa throughout the daylight. Sunset from the rim of Hunts Mesa is spectacular, and the view across all the monuments offers many layers and compositions. We’ll have a satisfying, hot meal prepared for us by our Navajo guides, with plenty of time to capture fantastic images of the late light from the rim. After the final dawn light, we’ll head back to our hotel for a good long rest.
May 2, 2025: We will take our time this morning recovering from our adventurous day and enjoy a shower and a hot meal, followed by an image review. Then we’ll plan on heading out to one of the regions in Monument Valley for afternoon and sunset light.
May 3, 2025: We’ll head out very early again to photograph stars and monuments in the valley. Then we will spend more time capturing the morning light turning the monuments pink, red and finally orange until it’s time to head back to the hotel for breakfast.
With good conditions we’ll leave for Mexican Hat and venture out into the Valley of the Gods for the afternoon light and sunset.
May 4, 2025: On this last morning, we’ll visit a favorite mesa with spectacular views of the canyon country and Monument Valley in the distance. On Muley Point, giant sandstone slabs angle off into the abyss below, making for a striking foreground for the sunrise light. After our final hearty breakfast, we’ll spend some valuble time reviewing images created during the past few days. After, we’ll drive out to Valley of the Gods for one more sunset.
May 5, 2025: After a final breakfast the workshop is over.
Fitness
Moderate: You must be able to walk up to 1 mile on uneven surfaces and around cliffs.
Flights
Arrive Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Flagstaff, Arizona before 11:00 AM on April 29, 2025. Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on May 5, 2025. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,100 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Monument Valley, Arizona.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,100 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $3,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than January 1, 2025.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Testimonials
“We loved our experience with this workshop. Well organized, super photographic opportunities, and fun leaders ”
“Both of the pro photographers were attentive to the group members' needs. They took the time to make sure each participant considered both composition and camera settings in each location where we photographed. ”
“It exceeded my expectations. Access to areas of the Valley that are off limits to the general population made the trip exceptional. I was very pleasantly surprised at the photographic opportunities that this workshop provided and very happy with the learning opportunities provided by Tom and Greg. ”
Behind the Scenes
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