Grand Canyon Rafting Photo Workshop

Apr 2028

Combine the thrill of rapids with the transcendent beauty of the Grand Canyon via raft on the Colorado River! Unlike standard 8-day trips, this 10 day adventure allows access to a wider array of stunning locations. Timed for the desert monsoon season, participants may capture dramatic skies, storms, and exquisite light. Led by expert photographers and experienced rafting guides, our small group of 10 will receive personalized instruction to elevate their photography skills. You will enjoy delicious meals and camp at a new riverside location each night. This all-inclusive workshop covers meals, pre and post workshop lodging, river guide gratuities, and a bonus post-processing session after you return home.

Tuition

$9,995
Includes Lodging & Gratuities

Max Group Size

5 Students per Instructor
Max 10 Students

Instructor(s)

David Swindler
Jed Weingarten

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Traverse the entire length of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon with 10 full days on the Colorado River. Experience more photo stops and scenic hikes than the standard 8-day trips.
Expert river guides and a motorized raft will ensure comfort and safety. We'll camp next to the river each night and enjoy gourmet meals.
Photograph Grand Canyon’s most breathtaking locations. Many spots are accessible only via the river.
All-inclusive with arrival and departure lodging, pre and post workshop dinners, meals and camping on the river, river guide gratuities, and a bonus post-processing session after you return home.
Workshop dates are timed for the monsoon season when dramatic skies, storms, and gorgeous light often prevail.
Learn new photography techniques from two pro instructors in an intimate group of 10 participants.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Aug 13): Arrive in Flagstaff, AZ mid-afternoon for a mandatory orientation session where we'll cover the photography techniques you'll use during our time together. We'll enjoy a group dinner and then meet the river crew and get up to speed on safety and trip logistics. Overnight in Flagstaff.
Day 2 (Aug 14): After an early breakfast we board a private bus to Lee’s Ferry, where we will launch the raft and start our 226-mile long adventure down the Colorado River. We photograph right from the raft on calmer sections and securely store the camera gear for the whitewater rapids. We camp that night on a sandy beach and enjoy a delicious riverside dinner.
Days 3-10 (Aug 15-22): We enjoy several full days on the river where we've strategically selected our camps for many of our favorite photo locations. Some locations will require moderate to difficult level hikes to reach (all hikes are optional). Each day's itinerary will be dependent on weather and current conditions. It is ALWAYS subject to change, especially during monsoon season. You will be wowed by the amazing scenery around each bend of this mighty canyon. If the skies are clear, we'll stay out for night photography!
Day 11 (Aug 23): It's hard to believe it's our last day on the river! We leave the river at Diamond Creek and board our private bus back to Flagstaff. After checking in, you'll enjoy a refreshing shower and get cleaned up for our final group dinner at a very nice restaurant. You'll say good-bye to the river crew after dinner (note that all river crew gratuities are included).
Day 12 (Aug 24): Departure day. You can plan you return travel anytime.

Logistics

Arrive in Flagstaff, AZ by 3PM Aug 13th to check into the hotel. We'll meet at 4PM for our photography orientation session before our group dinner. The workshop includes 2 nights of lodging and 2 dinners before and after the river trip. Single rooms are available for an extra charge (see pricing section below). The workshop concludes on Aug 24th and you can plan your return travel for anytime this day. After you return home, we'll schedule a post-processing and image critique session via zoom.

All participants on this trip should be in good physical condition. Please see the Physical Difficulty section below. Rafting can be tiring. Hiking in the Grand Canyon can range from easy to fairly strenuous. All hikes on this workshop are optional. If you chose to forego a hike, you can relax riverside.

Before the workshop we'll schedule a zoom meeting with all participants to talk about gear needs and logistics. This is the time to ask all your questions! A detailed packing list will be sent to all registered participants.

If skies are clear at night, we will photograph the Milky Way. Each participant will need their own headlight. We also recommend everyone bring a fast wide angle lens (f/2.8 or faster) along with a remote cord for long exposures.

We will use a 32-foot-long raft which is equipped with a quiet four-stroke Honda motor for steering purposes. The motor is shut-off in calmer sections where we can drift with the current. Your gear and camera bags will be stored in dry-bags or hard cases and strapped to the deck above the waterline. Two expert river guides will crew our raft. You will love the adrenaline rush of the large rapids. A big splash is a great way to cool off on a hot day!

All camp gear will be provided, including a tent, comfortable sleeping pad, pillow, sheet, and sleeping bag. Delicious meals will be prepared throughout the trip and the food is often a highlight! We can accommodate gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, or other allergies to one food type. However, when individuals have several food restrictions, specialty diets, or allergies to multiple foods, we may not be able to accommodate those requests.

Physical Difficulty

We rated this trip as Difficult since rafting can be quite tiring and some of the hikes can be fairly strenuous. However, all of the hikes are optional. But if you skip out on the hikes, you may miss some of the better photographic opportunities. Expect rocky, off-camber terrain with loose sand and mild scrambles. The hikes we do will depend entirely on the weather, ambient temperatures, and daily schedules.

Living outdoors for several days in a desert environment can quickly impact your health and stamina, especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Weather conditions vary from extreme heat to extreme cold, heavy rain, strong winds and blowing sand. We encourage you to use the following questions to help think about the MINIMUM level of endurance and stamina needed. Can you:

Ascend and descend two flights of stairs carrying a 20 pound bag without using a handrail?
Get up on top of a kitchen counter, stand up, and return to the floor without using a stool?
Climb several sets of stairs while urgently needing the bathroom?
Rise from a seated position from the ground to standing up 30 times a day?
Balance a plate of food on your lap while eating?
Suspend your weight from a pull up bar for 15 seconds?

Pricing

$9,995 Per Person

All-Inclusive

Trip Includes:

10-Day 226-mile long Grand Canyon Rafting Trip.
2 Nights Pre and Post Workshop Lodging at highly acclaimed hotel in Flagstaff. Single rooms available for an extra $300.
All Meals and Snacks from dinner on Aug 13th through dinner on Aug 23rd. On the river, morning beverages will consist of tea, coffee, orange juice, and hot chocolate. For other meals, water and electrolyte replacement drinks will be available.
River guide gratuities (~$600/person).
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
Post-Processing and Image Critique Session via Zoom after you return home.
National Park permits and fees.
$10/person donation to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund.
Photography instruction by 2 Pro Photographers.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Flagstaff, AZ
Soft drinks and alcoholic drink. You are welcome to bring your own drinks for the river if you'd like.
Travel and Evacuation Insurance (highly recommended).
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.

*Note: We cannot offer the 10% Loyalty Discount on this workshop as it involves third party collaborations.

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David Swindler

Founder - Photography Instructor

David Swindler is an award-winning landscape and wildlife photographer. Among others, he has been recognized by the International Photography Awards, Siena International Photo Awards, Sony World Photography Awards, International Landscape Photographer of the Year, and National Geographic. He received a degree in chemical engineering and worked in the semiconductor industry specializing in optics and photolithography. In 2014, he left his day job to follow his true passion. He has traveled to some of the most remote regions of the world and has extensive experience photographing a wide variety of subjects and conditions. As the founder of Action Photo Tours, he finds great satisfaction in helping others learn photography, especially in the wild desert environment near his home in Kanab, UT. David is an expert in night photography and loves to get out and shoot the starry night skies.

Gallery Awards and Media Coverage