Grand Staircase & Beyond

May 2-7, 2027 - 6 Days

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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

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Ryan McGinty
  • Wendy Casey

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 2): 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 3): 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 4):  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 5): 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 6): 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 7): 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.
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Grand Staircase Photo Workshop
Grand Staircase and Beyond Photo Workshop Milky Way
Grand Staircase Photo Workshop

Logistics

Please arrive in Kanab, UT prior to 1PM on May 2 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 5th 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 7th 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.

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Pricing

$2750/Person + Tax

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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 $500 for double or $1000 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 7, 2027.
  • 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.
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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.

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Ryan McGinty

Photography Instructor

Ryan McGinty is a seasoned landscape photographer living in the Palouse area of southeastern Washington.  His first-hand experience in this unique agricultural area makes him the perfect instructor to lead people to out-of-the-way places for those once-in-a-lifetime rainbows, sunsets and sunrises in the beautiful rolling hills. He loves chasing the light and diligently checks weather apps to get the latest sun and rain predictions, cloud formations, wind and temperatures for the best locations and light.

His interest in photography started at an early age and continued in college with graduate work at Brooks Institute of Photography.  His experience in portrait, wedding, film, and medium and large format photography give him an extraordinary background for his award-winning landscape photography.

His passion for the Palouse is only exceeded by his passion for photography and his desire to show people his favorite places.  He takes a legitimate interest in his clients and strives hard to ensure they get the best shots. His photographs have been published in books, calendars and travel guides.

Wendy Casey

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.

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