Salt River Canyon Photo Workshop

Mar 14-18, 2026

Join our Salt River Canyon Photo Workshop for an unforgettable adventure through some of the Southwest’s most stunning and lesser-known locations. This trip combines early morning excursions to dramatic river bends and canyon overlooks with immersive hikes to hidden waterfalls and narrow slot canyons. Each day offers a dynamic mix of in-the-field shooting, expert instruction, and hands-on photo processing sessions designed to elevate your skills. With breathtaking scenery, glowing sunsets, and a supportive group of fellow creatives, this experience is the perfect balance of adventure, learning, and artistic inspiration.

Tuition

$1995
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Max Group Size

4 Students per Instructor
Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

Shane McDermott
Wendy Casey

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Capture stunning sunrise and sunset light over dramatic desert landscapes and rugged canyon vistas.
Hike into secluded canyons to photograph waterfalls and scenic narrows.
Enjoy the pleasant weather in March before the desert heat arrives.
Refine your editing techniques with guided Lightroom/Photoshop sessions tailored to your images.
Explore a variety of environments, from towering hoodoos and deep canyons to reflective rivers and hidden springs.
Learn many new skills and techniques with a small group of 2 pro instructors and 8 participants.

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Itinerary

The itinerary is being kept flexible to allow us to chase the best conditions. What is presented below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1 – Welcome & Orientation
Our adventure begins at 7 PM with a welcome meeting at the Best Western Copper Hills Inn in Globe, Arizona. We'll dive into the workshop itinerary, review the latest weather updates, and preview the techniques you'll be using.

Day 2 – River Bends & Wilderness Vistas
We hit the road well before dawn, heading out to photograph a dramatic river bend bathed in morning light. On our return, we’ll explore a few hidden gems within the Salt River Wilderness, with opportunities for capturing sweeping canyon views. After a midday break, we’ll gather for a hands-on image processing session before venturing back out for an evening shoot at some of our favorite secret spots.

Day 3 – Canyon Hike & Desert Falls
Today features one of the most exciting hikes of the workshop—a journey into a narrow canyon carved by flowing water and home to stunning waterfalls. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to refine your long exposure techniques and capture the silky flow of water in a magical setting. After a canyon-side breakfast and return to town, we’ll reconvene for a processing session, then set out again to photograph remote desert springs and waterfalls in the afternoon.

Day 4 – Hoodoos, Viewpoints & Final Shoot
We’ll greet the day with a sunrise shoot at dramatic desert viewpoints and striking hoodoo formations. Later in the morning, we’ll host a final image critique and review session to wrap up the workshop and celebrate your progress. That afternoon, we’ll head back into the wild for one last opportunity to capture breathtaking views from high above the river canyon.

Day 5 – Departure

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Logistics

Please arrive in Globe, AZ before 7PM on Day 1 of the workshop. Globe is a 90-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Having your own rental car is recommended for getting to Globe and it will give you more flexibility for dining and shopping. We provide all transportation for the workshop outings in lifted 4x4 trucks.

For your convienence, we have pre-paid for 4 nights of accommodations at the Best Western Copper Hills. During checkout you will add your lodging package based on either single or double occupancy. See the Pricing section for more details.

Everyone on this trip should be in good physical condition and it is rated Difficult on our exertion scale. The longest hikes will be 5-6 miles round trip. The terrain can be rough with some mild elevation gain/loss. There will also be some walking in shallow water in the canyons. Good balance, mobility, and fitness are a must for all participants. You should be able to carry your camera gear, tripod, snacks, and water.

For the water hikes, we recommend a pair of water shoes or hiking sandals that you can change into. The water isn't cold, so there is no need for neoprene protection.

The weather can be variable in March. If a cold front moves through, temperatures can get cool in the early mornings. Midday can get quite warm, so you need to dress in layers and protect yourself from the sun. Please see the recommended gear list below.

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Pricing

$1995/person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

4-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors.
All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
Post-processing instruction and image critique.
Park Entrance Fees
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
4-night lodging package at the Best Western Copper Hills will be added to your booking. Cost is $350 for double occupancy or $700 for single occupancy.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Globe, AZ.
Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
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.

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Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range. Ultra-wide angle lenses can also come in handy if you have one.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Telephoto lenses will come in handy for creating abstract images. We recommend lenses in the 70-200mm or 100-400mm range.
Circular polarizer filters and ND filters for your wide and mid-range lenses.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or do any post-processing work.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
A rain jacket and a warm layer since it can get cold at night.
Water shoes or hiking sandals.
Headlamp
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat.
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like having 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.

Wendy Casey

Photography Instructor

Wendy is proud to be a Utah Native and began hiking and camping with her parents at a very young age. She has many fond memories hiking to amazing viewpoints and taking in the grandeur that is Utah. Her interest in photography began in the 80’s where she made her film images come to life in a darkroom.

She now enjoys the creativity of the digital world by photographing a wide range of interests, from Landscape, Wildlife, Portraits, to Sports. Her favorite is capturing epic scenery with a human interest.

When Wendy and her husband Randy are not at home on their farm, they are out on a trail somewhere, exploring, photographing and creating videos of their adventures. Wendy has a lot of experience with horses on their ranch and will be an instructor on some of our wild horse and ranch workshops.

Over the years, she has participated in many art shows. Her local favorites are the Kimball Arts, Park City Art Festival and Midway Swiss Days. She has shipped her art around the world and has her work hanging throughout the state in hospitals, clinics and many large and small businesses. Her images have also been featured in and on the covers of local magazines.

Wendy loves to help others develop their passion for photography and capture through the viewfinder, winning scenes to last forever and an epic story to go with it.