White Pocket Monsoon Photo Workshop

Aug 16-19, 2026 - 1 Spot Available!

Monsoon season is one of the best times to photograph White Pocket. This is when we have best chances for big clouds, lightning, storms, and water reflections. Our fully outfitted overnight camping trip allows you to photograph sunset, sunrise, and the Milky Way if skies are clear! During our 4 days together you'll shoot a good variety of Southwest locations. Post-processing instruction and image critique also included. If you'd like to extend your trip, consider pairing with our Grand Canyon Monsoon Workshop

Tuition

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Wendy Casey
  • Kevin Dobo

Physical Intensity

White Pocket Monsoon Photo Workshop

Highlights

  • Fully outfitted overnight camping trip to White Pocket during the height of monsoon season. Chances are good for dramatic skies, storms, and full water pockets!
  • When skies are clear in the evening, we’ll go out and photograph the Milky Way. The workshop dates are timed to avoid moon interference.
  • Learn many new photographic and post-processing techniques from pro instructors in a small group of only 8 students.
  • The itinerary and locations are flexible so we can chase the best weather conditions. We have permits to operate all around the Southwest so we have lots of options!
  • Post-processing and image critique sessions will be provided throughout the workshop.
  • Can't get enough of the Monsoon Mania?  Consider joining our Grand Canyon Moonsoon Workshop Aug 12-16, 2026!

Itinerary

The itinerary is being kept flexible to allow us to chase the best conditions. The only day/location that is fixed is our White Pocket Overnight camp.

  • Day 1 (Aug 16):  Meet at 1PM in Kanab, UT for a mandatory introductory session.  When finished, we start the drive out to White Pocket.  We quickly set up camp and then photograph into the evening & night hours. We will supply tents, sleeping bags, pads, pillows, chairs, meals, and snacks. At night, we'll photograph the Milky Way if skies are clear and you'll learn both natural and low-level lighting techniques. Note that a hotel room will be provided for all participants on this evening in case of bad weather. The room will also allow you to shower and rest up as soon as we return the next day without waiting for a late afternoon check-in.
  • Day 2 (Aug 17): Sunrise/Morning at White Pocket and then we break camp and return to Kanab for showers and a midday rest break.  We hold an afternoon post-processing session where you'll get some great tips for your Milky Way images before heading out for a sunset shoot after dinner.  We'll stay out and shoot Milky Way if skies are clear.  But if there are storms in the area, we might be photographing lightning!
  • Day 3 (Aug 18): We begin with a post-processing and image critique session and then decide as a group where we want to go shoot that evening based on the weather forecast. We have permits to guide all over the Southwest so we have lots of options to choose from. After shooting some dramatic monsoon light at sunset, we head back to Kanab.  Since the skies have cleared on the drive back, we head over to the Great Chamber for Milky Way photos which is one of our premiere night locations.
  • Day 4 (Aug 19):  We decide to get up early to capture sunrise in Zion National Park.  We return to town for breakfast and have one final classroom session.  The workshop will conclude by noon.
White Pocket Monsoon Photo Workshop
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White Pocket Monsoon Workshop
White Pocket Monsoon Season Overnight Photography Workshop

Logistics

Please arrive in Kanab, UT prior to 1PM on Aug 16th for a mandatory orientation session at our local office. Las Vegas is the closest major airport and it's a 3.5 hour drive to Kanab. There is a 1-hr time change when coming from Vegas.  There are no public transportation options to Kanab, UT.

For your convenience, we have pre-paid 3 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 are including a hotel stay for the night of Aug 16th as it will give us flexibility in the event of bad weather for overnight camping. The hotel room will also allow you to shower and catch up on sleep when we get back the next morning without waiting for a late afternoon check-in.

We will finish the workshop around noon on Aug 19th.  It's up to you if you want to stay in Kanab that night or head somewhere else.  Want to extend your trip?  Consider pairing this workshop with our Grand Canyon Monsoon Workshop Aug 12-16, 2026.

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 heat can make short hikes seem much harder.  You should be comfortable walking around 1-2 miles per day.

We timed this workshop for the best chance of monsoon storms and dramatic clouds. However, this is no guarantee of monsoon activity. In the event we get blue-sky weather, we'll focus more on night photography as our dates are free of moon interference.

The weather can vary quite a bit from very sunny and hot to cooler and wet when storms come in.  See the gear list further down for specific recommendations.  No matter what the weather does, we’ll get awesome photos. If it’s exceptionally wet, some of the dirt roads may be impassable. We'll modify the itinerary accordingly should that be the case. Transportation will be provided in lifted 4WD trucks so we can handle most conditions.

Food and camping gear will be provided for the White Pocket overnight portion. Gear includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, pillow, pad, and chair along with dinner, breakfast, and snacks. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Capturing daytime lightning requires a lightning trigger with a cable that is specific to your camera. The trigger is not needed for shooting lightning at dusk or at night. With lightning triggers, you get what you pay for.  Cheap triggers will almost always deliver sub-par results. We recommend the new Bolt Hunter Device.

White Pocket Monsoon Photo Workshop

Pricing

$2,250/person + Tax

$2,025/person with Loyalty Discount

Trip Includes:

  • Intensive Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors and 8 Students.
  • All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
  • Post-processing instruction and image critique.
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Lighting equipment and fixtures for night photography.
  • Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
  • Camping Gear at White Pocket
  • Meals, Beverages, and Snacks while at White Pocket.
  • 3-night lodging package will be added to your booking based on single or double occupancy. Cost is $300 or $600 for double or single respectively.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Transportation to/from your home to Kanab, UT.
  • All other meals, snacks, and beverages outside of the White Pocket overnight.
  • 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.  See the full Terms and Conditions.

White Pocket Monsoon Photo Workshop

Physical Activity
This workshop is rated Moderate. There are no long hikes, and guests generally walk approximately 1–2 miles per day.  We move at a relaxed photography pace, with plenty of time to stop, set up your equipment, ask questions, and navigate the terrain comfortably. Walking surfaces may include loose sand, uneven desert ground, and gently rolling sandstone. Guests should be comfortable carrying the camera equipment and personal items they choose to bring over these distances. Our instructors are happy to help guests navigate unfamiliar terrain and find comfortable places to photograph whenever needed.

Backcountry Driving
Reaching White Pocket and several other remote locations requires travel on rough and bumpy backcountry roads. Guests with significant neck or back concerns are encouraged to contact us before booking so we can describe the drives in more detail.

Camping Experience
This workshop includes one fully outfitted night of camping at White Pocket. Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, chairs, meals, and snacks are all provided, and no previous camping experience is needed. Guests should be comfortable getting into and out of a ground tent. Our team handles the camping setup and will be available to help throughout the overnight experience.

Daily Schedule and Weather
Monsoon conditions can vary considerably. Temperatures may reach the 90s or 100s, but storms, clouds, rain, and higher elevations can bring much cooler weather. Some mornings may begin around 5:00 AM, and evening sessions may occasionally continue until approximately 9:00 PM. When skies are clear, we may offer an optional Milky Way photography session that continues later and may return after midnight.

Midday breaks are built into the schedule whenever possible so guests can rest, shower, recharge batteries, back up images, and prepare for the next outing. Guests are also welcome to sit out an outing when they would benefit from additional rest.

White Pocket Monsoon Photo Workshop
FAQ Page
White Pocket Monsoon Workshop
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Recommended Camera Gear

  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead
  • Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.  A full-frame camera is recommended for night photography.
  • Backpack to comfortably carry your camera gear. Make sure you have a rain cover for your backpack.
  • Wide Angle Lens. We recommend a 16-35mm lens.  If you have wider lenses in the 11-15mm range, bring them along!  For night photography, you will want a wide angle lens that is at least f/2.8 or faster.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Lightning trigger. We recommend the Bolt Hunter Device for best results.
  • Telephoto lenses will come in handy if we go to Bryce, Alstrom Point, or the Grand Canyon.
  • Circular polarizer filters are useful.  Bring any ND filters if you have them.
  • Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
  • Remote cord for your camera.
  • Laptop if you wish to backup your photos

Personal Gear List

  • Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants (keeps sand out of your shoes).
  • A rain jacket and one warm layer since it can get cooler at night.
  • Personal toiletries for the overnight trip.
  • Headlamp for night photography.
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder

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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Kevin Dobo

Kevin Dobo

Photography Instructor

Kevin’s passion for landscape photography began more than 40 years ago during a youth group bicycle tour along the coast of Maine. At just 16 years old, he returned home, developed dozens of rolls of film, and quickly realized that what had captured his attention wasn’t people, but coastlines, forests, light, and the natural world.

That early connection between photography and outdoor exploration has shaped Kevin’s life ever since. His photographic journey and active outdoor lifestyle led him from his native Ohio to the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, through the Rockies of Colorado, and eventually into the Desert Southwest. He now lives in Kanab, Utah, where he leads Action Photo Tours day tours, overnight tours, and multi-day workshops.

Kevin’s primary passion is Southwest monsoon storm photography, which began after attending Action’s Storms & Saguaros workshop. From his first successful lightning capture, he was hooked. Since then, he has built a strong working knowledge of weather forecasting and spends weeks each summer chasing storms across southern Arizona and New Mexico.

In addition to storm photography, Kevin enjoys intimate landscapes, abstract and minimalist compositions, drone photography, and astrophotography. In the field, he enjoys helping guests slow down, recognize strong light and composition, and experience the simple pleasure of capturing a magical moment outdoors.

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