Grand Canyon Monsoon Photo Workshop
Aug 12-16, 2026 - Sold Out!
When the monsoon storms light up the Southwest, there's no place more electrifying than the Grand Canyon. You'll be busy pressing that shutter button as we chase dramatic skies, lightning storms, and moody light as it dances across the canyon’s vast expanse. If the skies clear, you'll be treated to world-class Milky Way photography under some of the darkest skies in the country. Outside the canyon, we'll adapt each day to the best conditions, using real-time forecasts to guide us to hidden gems across the region. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience with storm tracking, advanced shooting techniques, and powerful post-processing workflows. Want even more epic skies and surreal landscapes? Add our White Pocket Monsoon Workshop (Aug 16–19, 2026) to take your adventure to the next level!
Tuition
- $2,295
- $2,065 with
Loyalty Discount
Max Group Size
- 4 Students per Instructor
- Max 8 Students
Instructor(s)
- Wendy Casey
- Kevin Dobo
Important Update
Since the North Rim Lodge burned down in July 2025, the entire North Rim has been closed for the season. We don't know when or how it will re-open in 2026. As such, we may end up spending some of our time based near Marble Canyon. This is the section of the Grand Canyon from Lee's Ferry to the Little Colorado Confluence. It is equally spectacular to the main canyon, but is far more unique and is rarely visited. In fact, many of our all-time favorite views are in Marble Canyon. We'll have more information on whether the North Rim will open for the 2026 season around May 2026.

Highlights
- Capture the Grand Canyon like never before—monsoon season brings dramatic skies, lightning, rainbows, and unforgettable light.
- Enjoy the serenity of the North Rim and Marble Canyon, far from the crowds and chaos of the South Rim.
- We’ve timed this workshop for peak monsoon activity—plus, clear nights mean epic Milky Way opportunities with zero moon interference.
- With a flexible itinerary and guiding permits across the Southwest, we’ll chase the best conditions wherever the storms lead us.
- Venture off the beaten path to unique and remote locations—your portfolio will reflect a rich variety of scenes and moods.
- Sharpen your photo skills and post-processing with expert instruction in a small group setting (just 8 participants).
- Want more? Extend the adventure with our White Pocket Monsoon Workshop, August 16–19, 2026.

Itinerary
The itinerary is being kept flexible to account for weather and current conditions. Expert forecasting, group consensus and weather will dictate our final itinerary.
- Day 1 (Aug 12): Meet at 1PM in Kanab, UT for a mandatory introductory session. We'll cover logistics and make plans for our upcoming days together. After reviewing the weather forecast, we notice storms converging to the north, so we head up that way and capture some great lightning bolts over an expansive view of the red rock valleys below.
- Day 2 (Aug 13): Despite the late night, we get up early for sunrise in the Grand Staircase Escalante. A few lingering clouds light up nicely as the sun makes its appearance. We return to town for breakfast, check out of the hotel, and make our way to the Grand Canyon. We check into our lodging and head out for sunset. With a sky full of dramatic clouds, we are busy pressing those shutter buttons!
- Day 3 (Aug 14): We are up early for sunrise at one of our favorite east-facing viewpoints. After breakfast, we do some short hikes along the rim and then enjoy a midday break. We regroup later in the afternoon and head out to very remote and photogenic viewpoint. As storms start to move across the canyon, we get out our lightning triggers to capture the bolts. The light breaks through at sunset treating us to a distant rainbow and impressive colors! When we get back to the lodge, we notice the skies have cleared, so we stay out to take some Milky Way photos over the canyon.
- Day 4 (Aug 15): We wake up early and go out to one of our favorite viewpoints for sunrise. The skies are pretty clear so we focus more on the light as it illuminates and accentuates the canyon features. After checking out of the hotel, we head back to Kanab and review the weather forecast. We see a good chance of storms up over Lake Powell, so we head over that way to capture a nice display of lightning into the late evening hours.
- Day 5 (Aug 16): Departure day or you can join our our White Pocket Monsoon Workshop Aug 16-19, 2026.


Logistics
Please arrive in Kanab, UT on Aug 12th prior to 1PM Utah time for a mandatory orientation session at our local office. Las Vegas is the closest major airport and it's a 3.5 hr drive to Kanab. All transportation will be provided for the workshop outings. If you prefer, you are welcome to drive your own vehicle out to the North Rim and back.
With lodging in short supply, we have pre-paid 4 nights of hotel accommodations for all workshop participants. 2 Nights on the North Rim and 2 nights in Kanab, UT. During checkout you will add your lodging package based on either single or double occupancy. See the Pricing section for more details.
All participants on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition. Although we aren't planning any long hikes on this trip, the uneven terrain and elevation can make short hikes seem much harder. You should be comfortable walking around 1-2 miles per day while carrying your camera gear.
See the gear list further down for specific recommendations. No matter what the weather does, we’ll get awesome photos. Make sure you bring warm clothes and a rain jacket since we will be at high elevation and it can get cold if a storm moves in.
If skies are clear at night, we will photograph the Milky Way. Each participant will need their own headlight, a fast wide angle lens (f/2.8 or faster), and a remote cord for long exposures.
Capturing daytime lightning requires a lightning trigger with a cable that is specific to your camera. The trigger is not needed for shooting lightning at dusk or at night. With lightning triggers, you get what you pay for. Cheap triggers will almost always deliver sub-par results. We recommend the new Bolt Hunter Device.
You can plan your return travel for anytime on Aug 16th. If you can't get enough of the Monsoon Mania, consider joining our White Pocket Monsoon Workshop Aug 16-19, 2026.

Pricing
$2,295/person + Tax
$2,065/person with Loyalty Discount
Trip Includes:
- 5-Day Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors and Max of 8 Students.
- All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
- Permits and fees for National Parks and all areas we visit.
- Night photography and instruction.
- Post-processing training and image critique
- Pre-workshop zoom meeting
- 4-night lodging package will be added to your booking at checkout. Cost is $400 for double or $800 for single occupancy.
Trip Does NOT Include:
- Transportation to/from your home to Kanab, UT.
- Meals, beverages, and snacks
- Instructor Gratuities.
When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit. If you pay the deposit, you will be sent a payment link for the remaining balance approximately 120 days prior to the workshop. See the full Terms and Conditions.


Physical Activity
This workshop is rated Moderate. No hiking experience or special athletic ability is required. There are no long hikes, and most photography locations involve walks of less than one mile round trip.
We move at a relaxed photography pace, with plenty of time to stop, set up your equipment, ask questions, and navigate the terrain comfortably. Walking surfaces may include rocks, sand, short uphill sections, and uneven desert ground. Guests should be comfortable carrying the camera equipment and personal items they choose to bring over these short distances.
Our instructors are happy to help guests navigate unfamiliar terrain and find comfortable places to photograph whenever needed.
Backcountry Driving
Some photography locations require travel on rough and bumpy backcountry roads. Guests with significant neck or back concerns are encouraged to contact us before booking so we can describe these drives in more detail.
Daily Schedule and Weather
Monsoon weather is unpredictable, so routes, timing, and daily plans may change as we follow the most promising conditions. Temperatures can range from the 90s or 100s in the desert to much cooler conditions during storms, rain, or higher-elevation outings.
Because we photograph during the best light and storm activity, some mornings may begin around 5:00 AM, and evening sessions may occasionally continue until approximately 10:30 PM. When skies are clear, we may also offer an optional Milky Way photography session that continues later into the night.
We avoid the hottest part of the day whenever possible and build in midday downtime so guests can rest, hydrate, recharge batteries, back up images, and prepare for the next outing. Guests are also welcome to sit out an outing when they would benefit from additional rest.







Recommended Camera Gear
- Sturdy tripod and ballhead
- Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
- Wide Angle Zoom Lens (16-35mm on full frame, 10-22mm on crop sensor).
- Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
- Telephoto lenses are optional but are useful for distant storms, cloud patterns, and canyon details. Suggest 100-400mm range.
- Bring a circular polarizer filter and or 3-stop ND filter for your wide angle and mid-range zoom lenses.
- Lightning trigger. We recommend the new Bolt Hunter Device.
- Extra batteries for your camera and lightning trigger along with extra memory cards.
- A blower and micro-fiber cloth for cleaning.
- Remote cord for your camera.
- Backpack or case for your gear.
- When it starts raining, we will be packing up. Bring your lens hoods to help keep droplets off your lens!
- Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or follow along during the post-processing instruction.
Personal Gear List
- Sturdy footwear, hiking socks, and long pants.
- A rain jacket since it can get cold when storms roll in.
- Headlamp for when we are out at night.
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat
- Water bottle.



Wendy Casey
Photography Instructor
Wendy Casey is a Utah-based landscape and wildlife photographer with more than 40 years behind the camera. Her photography journey began in 1982 with her first photography class. She built her technical foundation in the film era through extensive darkroom work and developing and printing her own images. That experience continues to shape the way she teaches exposure, light, camera settings, and composition.
Wendy’s photography has taken her from Utah’s dramatic red rock country and the Alaskan tundra to the vast plains of Africa. She specializes in landscape and wildlife photography, with a particular passion for wild horses and animals in their natural environments. As an exhibiting fine art photographer, she photographs with the finished print in mind, creating images designed to tell a story, evoke emotion, and be enjoyed beyond the camera screen.
As an instructor, Wendy is known for her warm, patient, and encouraging teaching style. She helps students slow down, see with intention, and take creative control of their cameras, especially through Manual mode, thoughtful composition, and field-based problem solving. Through hands-on instruction and collaborative post-processing sessions, Wendy meets photographers where they are and helps them build the confidence, technical skill, and vision to create images they are proud to print, frame, and share.
Gallery Facebook Instagram

Kevin Dobo
Photography Instructor
Kevin’s first foray into landscape photography was on a week-long youth group bicycle tour of coastal Maine at the age of 16. When he returned home and developed dozens of rolls of film, his mother exclaimed, “There are no people in your photos!”. Such a thing never occurred to him. The coastline and forest foliage were what caught his eye.
Kevin has seen lots of changes in technology, from 35mm film cameras to pocket-sized digital compacts, then to full sized DSLRs and now mirrorless. From his native Ohio, the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, and the Front Range of Colorado, he never loses sight of the simple pleasure of capturing a magical moment in the great outdoors.
After a couple years nomading across the US in the wake of the Covid pandemic, Kevin along with his partner Monte, settled in Kanab, Utah and Tucson, Arizona. Two years later, the endlessly colorful southern Utah landscape won out over the distinctive but scorching Sonoran Desert, and Kanab is now home. Kevin loves the desert Southwest and enjoys sharing his photographic insights with photographers from all around the world.
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