Reflection Canyon Photo Workshop

Apr 16-19, 2026

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Reflection Canyon—one of the most breathtaking and remote viewpoints in the Southwest. Perched high above Lake Powell, this dramatic overlook offers sweeping vistas and, if skies are clear, the chance to photograph the Milky Way arching over the canyon.

We’ll travel by boat to reach this hidden gem, and provide all the gear and meals for a fully outfitted overnight camping experience. The hike from the shoreline to the viewpoint is steep and challenging—but the rewards are nothing short of spectacular.

With a flexible 2-night itinerary, we can adjust our plans around weather to ensure you get the best shooting opportunities. On the alternate night, we’ll chase more magic—whether that’s another Milky Way session or a stunning sunset/sunrise shoot in the backcountry.

Tuition

$2195
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Max Group Size

6 Students
3 Students per Instructor

Instructor(s)

Shane McDermott
A.J. Rich

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Experience stunning views of Reflection Canyon high above Lake Powell!
Small group of 6 students and 2 instructors.
Dates are perfectly timed to capture the Milky Way. The galaxy is angled low to the horizon, perfect for landscape images and panoramics.
Trip includes round-trip boat transportation and fully outfitted camping.
Learn many new photography techniques from your pro instructor(s).
With a 2-night itinerary, we have flexibility for bad weather and can move the Reflection Canyon trip to the subsequent night.
Bonus night to explore a second Milky Way location or shoot epic sunset and sunrise photos.

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Reflection Canyon Photo Workshop Milky Way

Itinerary

Please see the Logistics Section below for contingency plans for bad weather or unfavorable lake conditions.
Pre-Trip: An in-depth zoom meeting will be scheduled a couple months before to discuss gear, logistics, and shooting techniques.
Day 1: Arrival day in Page, AZ. You can check into the hotel after 4PM. Make sure you get a good nights sleep before the trip begins!
Day 2: We meet 8AM at the hotel for orientation. Once that is done we'll divy out the camp gear and head to marina. After you load the boat and meet the captain, you'll enjoy a very scenic 45-mile boat ride with expansive red rock views in all directions. Upon arriving, we'll start the steep half-mile hike up to the rim and will take our time navigating the tricky terrain. You'll have the afternoon to explore around the rim of the canyon before dinner and our sunset shoot. After sunset, we'll shoot some blue hour foregrounds and get to bed early.
Day 3: We awake at midnight to clear skies and a brilliant arc of the Milky Way starting to rise over the canyon. After photographing the Milky Way, we catch another couple hours of sleep before waking to shoot sunrise. After sunrise we have a breakfast, taking in all the views we can. We pack up our gear, hike down, and meet the boat. Once back in Page, we take a much needed midday break. Our evening shooting itinerary will be dictated by the weather and group interest.
Day 4: It's our last day together. If skies are clear, we'll leave at midnight to go out and capture the Milky Way at a new location! If skies are cloudy, we'll focus on sunset and sunrise photography deep in the backcountry. In case we have to push Reflection Canyon to the subsequent night, please do not plan your return travel until after 2PM.
Want to Extend Your Adventure? We have lots of great options to choose from.

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Reflection Canyon Photo Workshop Lake Powell Photography

Logistics

Plan to arrive in Page, AZ sometime after 4PM on Day 1. Day 1 is just an arrival day and no workshop activities are planned. You'll have a hotel room waiting for you when you arrive. Contour Airlines runs 2-3 flights per day between Phoenix and Page. Alternatively, you can fly into Flagstaff and drive to Page.

IMPORTANT: This workshop is rated Challenging for physical intensity. All participants on this trip need to be in Good Physical Condition, without a fear of heights, and free from mobility or balance issues. You will need to carry your own water, food, camera gear, and overnight gear up to the viewpoint. A good gauge of your fitness is if you can climb 60 flights of stairs while carrying a 35-40 lb backpack in 2hrs or less.

The overnight gear includes a lightweight tent, lightweight sleeping bag, and lightweight pad. When we go in via boat, the hike up to the rim is steep and strenuous. It's only a half-mile long, but it's not recommended for those with sub-par fitness. All participants must agree that if their fitness does not allow them to complete the hike, they will have to camp down at the lake level.

We timed this workshop for optimal Milky Way and water levels. However, we can't control the weather. If skies are cloudy overnight we may not be able to photograph the Milky Way. Should that be the case, we often get spectacular sunrises or sunsets.

If the weather is good, we'll go to Reflection Canyon on Day 2. However, if the weather is poor (i.e. high winds, rain, etc), we'll try again on Day 3. Whichever night we don't go to Reflection Canyon we'll use for bonus photo excursions (sunset, sunrise, and or Milky Way) to new locations deep in the backcountry!

The water levels in Lake Powell can change drastically one year to the next. If levels change unexpectedly, we may not be able to dock the boat, making it impossible to access Reflection Canyon due to sheer cliffs. We will know what the water levels are looking like by Feb/Mar of 2026.

If weather and or lake levels prevent us from accessing Reflection Canyon via the boat, we will reimburse participants their share of the boat costs and organize an overnight trip to an alternate location with good Milky Way photography. Note that itinerary changes due to weather or lake levels do NOT constitute an exception to our Multi-Day Workshop Cancellation Policy.

Expect variable weather in early spring. It can be warm and pleasant or quite cold and windy. You need to come prepared for the worst conditions. We will go over the gear, packing, and logistics during our pre-workshop zoom meeting.

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Pricing

$2195 per person

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Trip Includes:

Pre-workshop zoom meeting.
Boat transportation to/from Reflection Canyon.
High-clearance 4x4 ground transportation.
Lightweight camping gear and food for the overnight trip (snacks, dinner, and breakfast)
In-field photography guiding and post-processing training.
All permits and entrance fees.
A 3-night hotel lodging package can be added to your booking at checkout. Cost is $275 for double occupancy or $550 for single occupancy.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Page, AZ
Meals, Beverages, and Snacks outside of the overnight camping excursion.
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, the remaining amount will be charged 120-days prior to arrival to the credit card we have on file. The Multi-Day Workshop Cancellation Policy applies to this trip.

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Extend Your Adventure!

Spend a Night at Toroweap

$649/person

Toroweap is one of the Grand Canyon’s most dramatic and difficult to reach viewpoints, offering a truly unique photographic experience. Unlike the more crowded rims, Toroweap sits directly above a sheer 3,000-foot vertical drop to the Colorado River, giving you an unmatched sense of scale and depth. The interplay of light on the canyon walls at sunrise and sunset is breathtaking, and the remote location means you’ll often have this epic vista all to yourself. If skies are clear, you'll witness the Milky Way arching over the canyon.

We'll take care of your camping gear, food, and overnight logistics. All you need to do is worry about taking incredible photos! Book now for Apr 20-21. Toroweap is just one of our many Southwest Daily Tours you can add to your itinerary.

Book Now, Apr 20-21

Milky Way Over the Grand Canyon Toroweep

Recommended Camera Gear

A lightweight tripod and ballhead you don't mind hiking with. Make sure it isn't flimsy as it can often be windy on the rim!
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body. We recommend full-frame cameras for best night photography.
Wide Angle Lens f/2.8 or faster for night photography in the range of 14-24mm.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Circular polarizer filters are useful. Bring any ND filters if you have them for creating long exposures.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Remote cord for your camera. An intervalometer will be especially useful for doing long exposures at night.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants.
Large, comfortable backpack that can carry your camera gear, tripod, and overnight gear.
Overnight toiletries, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
A rain jacket and warm layers since it can get cold at night and on the boat.
Warm gloves and hat.
Headlamp for night photography.
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like using them.

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Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

Shane McDermott

Photography Instructor

Artist's Statement: Through all of my wanderings, photography has remained a constant, providing the creative link between my passion for adventure and the outdoors. I will never get enough of that “Wow!” feeling when I see a stunning image rendered on my camera’s LCD and helping guide others to that same experience is the bacon in the beans for me. I am excited to start working with Action Photo Tours. Everything about their instructors, locations, deep research, proficiency and stop-at-nothing vibe shows me that I have found the company where we can all grow and have countless “wow” moments together.

From the inseparable experience of unity, the camera is not something I “look at” the world through it is an opportunity to see something in myself. Photographs are no longer lost extractions of time; they become holographic reflections of the precious whole in every part. I love to guide those passionate about photography and those wanting to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of nature. If you seek a deeper connection with yourself and the astonishing beauty of our planet, I invite you to embark on this journey of creative discovery. I seamlessly weave together the technical and artistic dimensions of photography and help students learn to cultivate a greater level of presence, perception, and perspective. I have endless patience for those who genuinely seek to unlock their unique creative brilliance and transform their passion into pixels.

Photography has been a transformative experience of Self-discovery more than it has been about great image-making. The interior landscapes of my Soul have been the primary territory of my exploration. From a place within, the landscapes and creatures of our great planet have provided amazing opportunities to learn about myself and my connection to the world.

A.J. Rich

Photography Instructor

Ever since he was young, A.J. Rich has had a passion for all things visual. Growing up on the edge of St. George, Utah, he often sketched his favorite sports players and designed logos for his youth sports teams. A.J. also spent countless hours around his childhood home climbing rock mesas and exploring the unknown, including at nearby Zion National Park.

Since graduating with a degree in graphic design and a minor in photography from Brigham Young University in 2001, A.J. has worked in graphic design for over 20 years and earned multiple national awards. In 2006, A.J. grew his photography portfolio as a contributor to Getty Images. In recent years, he continues to focus on his award-winning landscape photography—where his true passion lies.

Today the quest for the “timeless story” drives A.J. on all his outdoor adventures. While out in nature he seeks the ethereal and spiritual planes, and if he can capture them in a photograph, even better.

Currently A.J. works by day as a graphic designer and art director for BYU Brand & Creative, always dreaming of and planning for his next photography adventure.