Grand Staircase & Beyond

May 9-14, 2026 - Sold out!

Experience the wild beauty of the Grand Staircase and beyond in this immersive spring photography workshop. From vibrant desert blooms to the darkest skies in the Lower 48, you’ll capture a diverse range of stunning landscapes—both day and night. We’ll venture deep into remote, seldom-photographed areas using rugged 4x4 vehicles, bringing you to breathtaking locations few ever see. With hands-on instruction in both field techniques and post-processing, plus a flexible itinerary to chase the best light and conditions, this adventure is designed to elevate your skills and portfolio alike.

Tuition

$2750
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Max Group Size

4 Students per Instructor
Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

David Swindler
Sarah Shumaker

Physical Intensity

Grand Staircase Escalante Photo Tours Night Photography

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Highlights

Spring Magic in the Desert Southwest
Enjoy ideal weather conditions and beautiful light.

Brilliant Nightscapes
Master the art of night photography and Milky Way panos using both natural light and low-level lighting to enhance foreground elements.

Explore Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path
Venture far beyond the usual tourist spots with exciting 4x4 adventures and moderate level hikes.

Hands-On Learning with Expert Guidance
Benefit from post-processing sessions and image critiques designed to elevate your skills and bring out the full potential of your images.

Chase the Best Light and Conditions
Stay flexible and adjust to real-time weather and light for the most impactful shooting opportunities.

Alstrom Point Overnight Photo Tour Lake Powell Milky Way Pano

Itinerary

The itinerary if flexible. If skies are clear, we'll focus on night shooting. If storms and clouds are moving through, we'll photograph more during the day. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1 (May 9): We meet at 1PM at our office in Kanab for a mandatory introductory session where we'll cover the itinerary in detail and cover essential shooting techniques you'll be using. With clear skies, we head out to an arch on private land that we have special access to for a memorable Milky Way shoot!
Day 2 (May 10): We sleep in the next morning and head out for a slot canyon excursion. That afternoon we meet in the classroom and learn how to process the night images from the previous evening. Then we decide to head out to Alstrom Point for sunset along with Milky Way panos. This view will definitely impress! We'll get back very late at night.
Day 3 (May 11): We hold another image critique session and then make our plans based on the weather. With clouds moving in, we decide to head out to the Grand Canyon to shoot some rarely visited viewpoints. We are treated to a brilliant sunset!
Day 4 (May 12): We rise early for a sunrise shoot, return to the hotel, have breakfast, and then get ready to pack up. After lunch, we'll drive to the small town of Escalante, UT and check into our new accommodations. We go out for a sunset shoot with intriguing rock formations and stay out after dark for our Milky Way and star images.
Day 5 (May 13): We sleep in again due to the late night. We hold another classroom session and then go out in the afternoon for shooting. We'll visit one of our favorite spots. You will love this hole with a tree growing out the middle! Once we're done, we'll hike over to an iconic arch and capture Milky Way panos! Expect a very late arrival back in Escalante.
Day 6 (May 14): If we were out late the night before, we'll sleep in this morning. Otherwise, we'll go out for a final sunrise shoot. We'll return to town for breakfast and check out of the hotel. The workshop will conclude by 11AM in Escalante, UT.

Logistics

Please arrive in Kanab, UT prior to 1PM on May 9 for an orientation session at our local office. We provide all transportation for the workshop outings. However, you will need a vehicle to get to Kanab as there is no public transportation. Las Vegas is the closest major airport and it's a 3-3.5hr drive to Kanab. Alternatively, you can fly into St George (SGU) or Page, AZ (PGA).

On May 12th we will leave Kanab and drive to Escalante, UT (2.5 hr drive on paved highway). If you have a vehicle, you will follow us up there. The workshop will conclude by 11AM on May 14th and you can plan your return travel home after that.

We your convenience, we have pre-paid for 5 nights of hotel accommodations for all workshop participants. During checkout you will add your lodging package based on either single or double occupancy. See the Pricing section for more details. We will be staying at the Comfort Suites in Kanab and the Canyon Country Lodge in Escalante.

All participants on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition. We aren't planning any long hikes on this trip, but the uneven terrain, sand, and steep uphills can make short hikes seem much harder. You should be comfortable walking around 2-3 miles per day while carrying your camera gear.

We timed this workshop for optimal spring Milky Way photography. However, we can't control the weather and if skies are cloudy one day, we'll plan an outing to a different location and focus on sunrise/sunset photography. Our job is to get you the most stunning photos and help you learn as much as possible!

The weather can vary quite a bit in spring. It could be temperate and sunny with cool nights. Or it can be windy and rainy. You need to come prepared for the worst conditions. Please bring a warm layer and hat/gloves to ensure you don't get cold photographing at night. Please see the gear list further down.

Pricing

$2750 per Person

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Trip Includes:

6-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors.
All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
Post-processing instruction and image critique.
Park Entrance Fees
Lighting equipment and fixtures for night photography.
5-night hotel lodging package will be added to your booking. Cost is $475 for double or $950 for single occupancy. We will be staying at the Comfort Suites in Kanab and the Canyon Country Lodge in Escalante.
Pre-workshop zoom meeting.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Kanab and Escalante, UT.
Meals, Beverages, and Snacks
Instructor Gratuities

The Fine Print:

50% deposit required to hold your spot.
Remaining balance is due Jan 9, 2026.
If you need to cancel, a full refund less a $300 cancellation fee will be given once your spot is filled by another participant.
See the full Terms and Conditions.

Grand Canyon Photo Workshop North Rim Photo Extravaganza

Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Fast Wide Angle Lens in the 14-24mm or 16-35mm range. We recommend f/2.8 or faster. 24mm will not be wide enough!
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Telephoto lenses will come in handy if we go to Bryce and Lake Powell.
Circular polarizer filters are useful.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Remote cord for your camera. An intervalometer will be especially useful for doing long exposures at night.
Laptop if you wish to backup your photos
Optional: Drone camera for aerials. There are a few legal locations to fly.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
A rain jacket and several warm layers since it can get cold at night.
Headlamp for night photography.
Sunscreen and Sunglasses.
Hat and Gloves
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like having them.

Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

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, International Aerial Photographer of the Year, 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

Having guided photo tours for years, David is very familiar with many different types of cameras. He is a master with light and composition. But most importantly, his dedication to his clients is what really sets him apart! But don't take our word for it - read what others are saying: Trip Advisor.

Sarah Shumaker

Photography Instructor

My passion for photography began many years ago when the incredible places I started exploring blew my mind to such an extreme that I knew I needed to capture it forever. Not only to share it with loved ones, but also with others that may never have the opportunity to experience it themselves.

I spent years hiking and canyoneering many of the lesser traveled peaks and canyons of Zion National Park. I have also discovered off roading as a means to get me where I need to go and spent countless hours exploring dirt roads in the back country of the southwest with every turn dictated by what could provide the next unique photo, something that is not printed on every wall, yet is still mind blowing and captivating. In my free time I love scouring through maps in search for the next hard to get to location that hasn't been photographed. I enjoy finding scarcely visited places and epic photo locations where the majority of people wouldn't think to go.

I truly love shooting the night sky and enjoy teaching others how to experience such an incredible otherworldly sight.

The feeling when I get to introduce someone to one of the spectacular locations I love to photograph, and watching their faces light up with awe has further ignited my passion for outdoor photography.