Outer Banks: Shape, Space, and Intention
March 15 – 18, 2027
3 Spots Left
Wild Canyon Country
At a Glance
Location
San Rafael Swell
Tuition
$10,995
Dates
May 19 – 26, 2028
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Wild Canyon Country Photography Workshop
Remote Canyons, Wild Horses, and Dark Skies in the San Rafael Swell
May 19 – 26, 2028
- Outfitted camping for four nights deep in Utah’s remote canyon country
- Photograph sandstone canyons, skeletal junipers, and wild horses
- Capture the Milky Way beneath exceptionally dark skies
Join us for a journey into the heart of Utah’s San Rafael Swell, a remote and spectacular region of southern Utah. Reached only by rugged four-wheel-drive roads, this vast wilderness of sculpted sandstone canyons, towering buttes, weathered monoliths, and open desert feels worlds away from modern life. We’ll travel deep into the Swell in specially equipped Jeeps, stopping often to photograph sweeping canyon views, layered geology, twisted junipers, sandstone formations, and the changing light across this immense landscape.
Camping here is as much a part of the adventure as the photography itself. Each evening we’ll make camp among soaring sandstone cliffs, ancient juniper trees, and sweeping canyon vistas, surrounded by nothing but silence and miles of untouched wilderness. There are no crowds, no city lights, and no distractions, only the glow of sunset on the rock, the warmth of a shared meal, and the peace that comes from spending time in truly wild places. Dramatic weather can transform the landscape, with passing storms, deep shadows, and shafts of light creating constantly changing photographic opportunities.
We’ll provide everything needed for a comfortable backcountry experience, including healthy meals, fresh water, and quality camping equipment, allowing you to focus on exploring and creating photographs. Our outfitter will follow along in his four-wheel-drive vehicle with our gear, including individual tents for all, sleeping bags, pads, and camp chairs. During the day, we’ll work with everything from grand landscapes and distant layers to more intimate studies of rock, trees, patterns, and texture. Several bands of wild horses also roam the Swell, and when we encounter them, we’ll have the opportunity to photograph them moving through the surrounding desert landscape.
As evening falls, we’ll turn our attention to some of the darkest skies in the American Southwest. From remote campsites surrounded by sandstone towers and buttes, we’ll photograph the Milky Way rising above the desert and learn how to combine the night sky with strong foregrounds and landscape compositions.
Escape into a landscape where solitude, adventure, and extraordinary photography come together. If you’ve ever dreamed of camping in a place where the only sounds are the wind through the junipers and the desert settling in for the night, this is your opportunity to experience the magic of the Swell.
Your Pros
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
May 19, 2028: Welcoming Meet and Greet, Dinner at Hotel in Grand Junction
Arrive in Grand Junction, Colorado, and call for the hotel shuttle to take you to our accommodations. Once everyone has settled in, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner, get to know one another, and review the plans for the adventure ahead. After a great meal and a final look at the coming days, we’ll turn in early and get some well-earned rest before our long days in the field begin.
May 20–23, 2028: Jeep Journey to Scenic Camps, Red Rock Photography
We’ll load up the Jeeps early and begin the drive to our first campsite. The roads are rough, rocky, and slow-going, so we’ll make frequent stops to stretch our legs, photograph the dramatic scenery, and enjoy the journey. Reaching these remote camps is part of the adventure, rewarding us with access to landscapes few people ever experience.
We’ll spend four nights camping deep in the Swell, moving between two or three camps depending on road and weather conditions. Each campsite is chosen for its spectacular surroundings, with towering sandstone spires, winding canyons, and sweeping desert views that provide excellent opportunities for sunrise, sunset, and night photography. You’ll have time with the instructors assistance to work on many different landscape photography techniques, such as telephoto details, focus stacking, and infrared photography. Drones are permitted at several locations outside designated wilderness areas, offering an entirely different perspective of this remarkable landscape.
Our outfitter will travel with us and have camp ready wherever we decide to stop. He’ll provide the tents, prepare hot meals each day, and keep plenty of snacks, fresh fruit, salads, and cold drinking water on hand. This is true wilderness camping, and everyone should expect to help with simple camp chores such as loading gear or assisting with setup and take-down. When everyone pitches in, camp comes together quickly and efficiently.
Several bands of wild horses roam freely throughout the San Rafael Swell, and photographing them is one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. Watching these horses move through the red rock landscape is a memorable experience, and with a little patience, we often have opportunities to capture them against dramatic canyon walls and open desert vistas. A longer telephoto lens is highly recommended for these encounters.
May 24, 2028: Sunrise Photography, Scenic Return with Ice Cream Stops
Early morning sunrise shoot, followed by breakfast. We’ll pack up and drive back to Grand Junction, with several stops for ice cream on the way.
May 25, 2028: Full Day of Post-Processing and Image Review, Celebratory Dinner Finale
We have a private meeting room reserved for the day where we’ll review and edit the photographs from our adventure in the Swell. Throughout the day, you’ll receive hands-on instruction in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop as we refine your strongest images through thoughtful post-processing techniques. We’ll also demonstrate how to create natural-looking blends of separate foreground and night sky exposures, allowing you to produce stunning Milky Way photographs that faithfully capture the experience of photographing beneath Utah’s incredibly dark skies. After a productive day of learning and sharing our work, we’ll head out for a celebratory farewell dinner.
May 26, 2028: Farewell Breakfast and Parting Moments
Breakfast and goodbyes!
Wilderness Experience
This is an adventurous workshop, and reaching these remote locations is part of the experience. We'll spend several hours at a time traveling deep into the San Rafael Swell by Jeep, following rough, technical four-wheel-drive roads that can be slow and bumpy. We'll stop regularly to stretch our legs, enjoy a snack, photograph along the way, and simply take in the scale of the landscape. The journey itself gives us access to places that relatively few visitors ever reach.
Once in camp, our outfitter will provide everything needed for a comfortable backcountry stay, including individual tents, sleeping bags and pads, camp chairs, fresh water, and freshly prepared meals. The guides will handle as much of the setup, cooking, and teardown as possible, although everyone should be prepared to lend a hand with simple camp tasks when needed. There are no permanent facilities in this remote desert environment, so we carry everything in and out with us, including our food, water, camping equipment, and portable toilet.
This is still genuine wilderness camping. You'll wake surrounded by sandstone cliffs and junipers, eat meals together beneath the open sky, and step directly from your tent into some of the landscapes we've come to photograph. The tradeoff for the rough roads and simple facilities is extraordinary access, solitude, and the experience of spending several nights deep in one of the wildest landscapes in the American West.
Fitness
Challenging: Be prepared for rugged travel and wilderness camping in a remote desert landscape. Reaching our locations involves long, slow, and bumpy drives on technical 4×4 roads, with regular stops to stretch, photograph, and explore. You should be comfortable getting in and out of Jeeps, walking short distances over uneven and rocky terrain, and carrying your camera gear to viewpoints and shooting locations. There are no long or strenuous hikes planned, but some scrambling and loose ground should be expected. Guests should also be comfortable with four nights of backcountry camping and helping occasionally with simple camp chores.
Days can be warm, nights cool, and the main physical demands come from the rough overland travel, uneven terrain, and camping environment.
Flights
Arrive at Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), Grand Junction before 3:00 PM on May 19, 2028. Flights out can be made anytime on May 26, 2028. 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 a $650 supplement. (Hotel only)
- Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
- Private tents with pads and sleeping bags plus camping chairs, provided.
- 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.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Grand Junction, Colorado.
- 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 including coverage from point of injury (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming is available for a $650 supplement. (Hotel only)
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $4,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $3,000 is due by September 1, 2027.
- The balance is due not later than January 1, 2028.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you receive a full refund. Between 150 and 91 days, refunds are for payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90 and 61 days, refunds are for payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee and are issued by the original payment method.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 6 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate experience in the remote desert landscape.
This workshop requires a challenging fitness level. You'll need to be comfortable with rugged travel, getting in and out of Jeeps, walking short distances over uneven terrain, and helping with simple camp chores during the four nights of backcountry camping.
No, you don't need to bring your own camping gear. The workshop provides private tents, sleeping bags, pads, and camping chairs, ensuring a comfortable backcountry experience.
Yes, drones are permitted at several locations outside designated wilderness areas, allowing you to capture unique aerial perspectives of the San Rafael Swell.
Medical evacuation insurance is required for this workshop, while travel medical and trip cancellation insurance are optional but recommended to protect your investment.
