The Wave and Beyond Photo Workshop

Aug 25-31, 2025 - Sold Out!

Photograph the iconic Wave! Explore the sandstone wonderlands of both Coyote Buttes North and South on this rarely offered photo workshop. With a flexible itinerary, we'll maximize your photo opportunities throughout our week together and we have permits to guide all over the Southwest. The dates fall during the new moon week, so when skies are clear, we'll capture the brilliant Milky Way! When we're not hiking into remote corners of the desert, we'll schedule time for post-processing training and image critiques. This trip is physically challenging and is only for those with very good fitness and stamina. But the rewards are well worth it as you'll photograph some of the world's most extraordinary sandstone formations!

Tuition

$3495
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Max Group Size

5 Students Max

Instructor(s)

Shane McDermott

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Highly coveted permits for both The Wave and South Coyote Buttes have been acquired for our group!
Photograph the Wave, the Second Wave, Sand Cove, Top Rock, and much more!
Spend one day exploring the vast South Coyote Buttes with its incredible diversity, colors, and hoodoos, and stripes.
Dates are timed during the new moon so we can capture Milky Way images on clear nights!
Monsoon season is still in full swing and we could get storms and dramatic weather to photograph.
Explore remote parts of the desert with a flexible itinerary.
Learn new photography skills and post-processing techniques from a pro-photographer instructor.
4x4 transportation provided for all workshop outings.

Itinerary

In order to give our clients the best possible photography experience, we keep the itinerary flexible to account for weather, conditions, and group interest. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect. The only days that are fixed are the Coyote Buttes North and South excursions.

Day 1 (Aug 25): We meet in Kanab, UT at 1PM with a short orientation session and classroom style instruction. After lunch, we venture out to Zion National Park for our first evening shoot.
Day 2 (Aug 26): This is the day we've all been waiting for! It's time to go to the Wave! Depending on the weather, we may decide to hike out very early in the morning and return before the afternoon heat sets in. Or we could hike out in the afternoon and stay out after dark to shoot astro images at the Wave. Either way, you'll get some amazing images and visit many of the hidden gems in the area. By the end of the day, we are exhausted but thrilled with everything we captured!
Day 3 (Aug 27): We take a leisurly morning to rest up after our big day. We meet middday for a post-processing session and look at the weather. Storms are forecasted over the Grand Canyon, so we head out there to see if we get lucky with lightning and dramatic clouds.
Day 4 (Aug 28): We hold an image critique session today and talk about more ideas to enhance your post-processing. That afternoon, we head out to White Pocket. With recent monsoon storms, the water pockets are full and we get treated to a brilliant sunset. Skies clear shortly after blue hour and we stay out for several Milky Way shots.
Day 5 (Aug 29): Today we get to explore the colorful South Coyote Buttes. This is a much larger area than the Wave with many opportunities for creative shot opportunities. After the sun goes down, we continue to photograph well into the blue hour, returning to Kanab late that evening.
Day 6 (Aug 30): This is our "open" day. We decide what we do based on the weather along with the energy levels and interests of the group. We could hike to some remote spots in the desert or take it easier with less strenuous activities.
Day 7 (Aug 31): Departure day. You can plan your return travel anytime.

The Second Wave Coyote Buttes North Action Photo Tours

The Wave and Beyond Photo Workshop Milky Way

Logistics

Hotel accommodations are not included in the workshop fee, allowing you the flexibility to stay where you'd like. Kanab has many great hotels such as the Springhill Suites, Hampton Inn, La Quinta, along with many AirBnb's. You will need lodging for 6 nights starting Aug 25. Aug 31 is the departure day and you can plan your return travel anytime that day.

Rough roads are the norm out here and transportation will be provided during the workshop. However, you will need your own transportation to get to/from Kanab. The closest major airport is Las Vegas which is roughly 3 hours away. The central meeting point for the workshop will be the Action Photo Tours Office.

Excellent fitness, balance, and mobility are required to attend this workshop. Hiking to the Wave is serious business and we could cover 9-10 miles while we are out. The terrain can be steep, loose, and uneven in places and you'll need to be able to carry your camera gear, tripod, food, and 4 liters of water. How much we hike on the other days of the workshop will depend on where we go but you can expect 1-6 miles each day.

Food is not included in the workshop fee but there are many restaurants in Kanab along with 2 grocery stores. When we're out all day, you'll need to pack a lunch and you'll have time to prepare that the day before.

We have permits to guide all over the Southwest and we have lots of options for the "open" days of our itinerary. We will use the weather, current conditions, and group interest to guide our decisions on where we go. If skies are clear, we plan to photograph the Milky Way in the evenings.

Pricing

$3495/person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

7-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 1 Pro Instructor.
All Groud Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
Permits for both North and South Coyote Buttes.
Post-processing instruction and image critique.
Park Entrance Fees
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Kanab, UT
Hotel Accommodations
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 50% deposit, the remaining balance will be charged June 2nd to the credit card we have on file.

Recommended Camera Gear

Tripod you can hike with but also sturdy enough for night photography.
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide angle lens (16-35mm is perfect). Ultrawide Angle Lenses in the 11-14mm range will also work nicely. For night photography you'll need a lens that is f/2.8 or faster.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Telephoto lenses may have some use for abstract shots and wildlife sightings. In the interest of keeping your pack weight light, we don't recommend bringing them on hikes.
Circular polarizer filters are recommended. There is no need for ND filters.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Comfortable hiking backpack that can carry your camera gear, tripod, lunch, and drinking water.
Remote cord for your camera. We recommend a corded release (not wireless) and one that has a button that can lock into place for shooting back-to-back shots for lightning.
Lightning Trigger (optional) for daytime lightning.
Laptop if you wish to backup your photos.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
Sun shirt and hat (recommend long sleeves and a hood).
A rain jacket.
Headlamp with fresh batteries.
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, and Lip Balm.
Backpack that can comfortably carry your camera gear, tripod, food, water, and rain jacket.
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Trekking Poles - bring them if they help you.

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.