Winter In The Desert Photo Workshop

Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2024

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Photograph the Southwest's stunning red rock scenery accented by white winter snow! Crowds are minimal in the winter, allowing us a degree of solitude you will really appreciate. Billowing fog, icicles, storms, and dramatic clouds are hopefully all in store!  The itinerary is kept flexible to allow us to take advantage of the best weather and conditions. With a max group size of 8 participants, expect to learn many new photo techniques from your pro photographer instructors. 

Tuition

  • $2495
  • Includes Lodging

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Amy Osness
  • Ryan McGinty

Physical Intensity

Winter in the Desert Photo Workshop Bryce Canyon Winter Amy Osness

Highlights

  • Winter is the ideal time to visit the desert. With most of the tourists gone, you'll fill your lungs with fresh, crisp air each day. Enjoy the silence as the snow dampens all sound and highlights the wonders of the landscape.
  • The itinerary is being kept flexible so we can hit the best places for snowy landscapes.
  • Photograph magnificent vistas in the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and beyond! Intrepid travel and fresh perspectives are what we specialize in.
  • To ensure plenty of individual attention, group size is capped at 8 participants.
  • Learn from pro instructors both in the classroom and in the field.
  • Workshop fee includes lodging and transportation.
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Itinerary

We keep a flexible itinerary in order find the best winter conditions and to deliver the best possible photography experience. We reserve the right to change the itinerary and shooting locations as needed. We’ll spend most of our time in the field taking photos but include image critique and editing sessions throughout the workshop. Night photography is also an option if that is something the group wants to do. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

  • Day 1 (Feb 27): Arrive at the Best Western Red Hills in Kanab for a mandatory orientation that starts at 10AM.  If coming from Las Vegas, know that you will lose an hour when driving to Utah. After the session, we'll grab lunch, load up and drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to shoot sunset.
  • Day 2 (Feb 28): Full day of shooting on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. With fresh snow on the rim, compositions are endless with snowy foregrounds and the dramatic canyon below.  A few short hikes are planned for today. Return to our hotel in Tusayan after sunset.
  • Day 3 (Feb 29): We are up early for our final sunrise opportunity at the Grand Canyon and then start the drive back to Kanab. We photograph several places along the way and get back to town after dark.
  • Day 4 (Mar 1): With our flexible itinerary, we'll decide as a group where we want to photograph today and tomorrow.  The options are endless and include places like Bryce Canyon, Zion, White Pocket, and the Grand Staircase Escalante.  Expect a full day of shooting and a post-processing session in the evening.
  • Day 5 (Mar 2): We get up early for one last sunrise shoot and return to town for breakfast. We'll hold a midday image critique and post-processing session before the workshop concludes no later than 4PM.
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Winter in the Desert Photo Workshop
Winter in the Desert Photo Workshop
Winter in the Desert Photo Workshop Bryce

Logistics

Please arrive in Kanab, UT by 10AM on Feb 27th for orientation at the Best Western Red Hills.  Double-occupancy hotel lodging is included for each night.  Single-occupancy is available for an additional $200.  We will finish the workshop around 4PM on Mar 2nd.  It's up to you if you want to stay in Kanab that night or head somewhere else.

All participants on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition.  We aren't planning any long hikes on this trip, but the presence of snow can make short hikes seem much harder.  You should be comfortable walking around 2-4 miles per day.  For winter hiking, you will want to get a pair of micro-spikes so you don't slip on the ice.  Click Here for a recommended pair from Amazon.

We timed this workshop for a good chance of snow in the Southwest. It seems each year that the snow is coming later and later which is why we are targeting the last week of Feb.  However, we can't control the weather and it's always possible we won't have snow at some or all of the locations. The weather can vary quite a bit in winter weason and you'll want to prepare for the worst.  We could have sunny weather and highs in the 40's but it will most likely be much colder.  It's not uncommon to see sub-zero morning temps in Bryce Canyon.  Please 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 and we'll modify the itinerary accordingly. Transportation will be provided in 4WD trucks so we can handle most all winter conditions.

We will be driving from Kanab, UT to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You are welcome to drive your own vehicle if you wish. If you choose to ride with us, please restrict your baggage to one one moderately sized suitcase and a camera bag.

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Pricing

$2495/Person

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Trip Includes:

  • All ground transportation and photography guiding during the trip.
  • 4 Nights Double Occupancy Hotel Lodging in Tusayan, AZ and Kanab, UT.  Single Occupancy available for an additional $200.
  • Post-processing and image critique sessions.
  • All necessary permits and entry fees for the places we will visit.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Transportation to/from your home to Kanab, UT.
  • Alcoholic Beverages.
  • Meals and snacks.
  • 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 90 days prior to departure to the credit card we have on file.

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Simplicity is often preferred in photography, as it helps to strengthen the subject matter and reduce distractions. That was my intention while photographing this snowy scene at Bryce Canyon. Since we didn't get any light this particular morning, the clouds and fog helped to simplify the scene and make the tree become more prominent.
Winter in the Grand Canyon
Winter in the Desert Photo Workshop Zion

Recommended Camera Gear

  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead
  • Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
  • Wide Angle Lens. Frame frame - aim for 16-35mm range or wider. Crop sensor, 10-22mm.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Telephoto lenses will come in handy in Bryce and the Grand Canyon.  Anything in the 70-400mm range.
  • 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 or follow along during the post-processing instruction.
  • We may be able to rent you gear if you don't have everything you need.

Personal Gear List

  • Sturdy hiking footwear, thick hiking socks, and long pants.
  • Several warm layers. For the most comfort, we recommend wearing moisture wicking base layers.  A fleece or down jacket will help keep you warm and a waterproof shell or coat should be worn on the outside.
  • Snow pants or gaitors that you can seal around your boots to keep snow out.  If your snow pants aren't insulated, make sure you wear an insulating base layer.
  • Warm hat, thick gloves, and glove liners (useful to operate your camera controls).
  • Micro-spikes or micro-traction devices will help when walking on slick surfaces.  Snowshoes will not be needed for where we're going.
  • Headlamp in case we are hiking in the dark.
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat
  • Water bottle

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Amy Osness

Amy Osness

Photography Instructor

From an early age, Amy knew she had a wandering spirit. Her desire for adventure and passion for nature, stayed with her into adulthood, prompting her to pursue photography as an expressive art form.

The moments captured by Amy's camera are far removed from the "point and click" variety. She often spends hours and even days scouting possible shoot locations.

Amy loves exploring and photographing all the natural wonders that surround her hometown of St. George, Utah.

See more of Amy's work here:  Gallery  Instagram

Ryan McGinty Profile Photo Olympics

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.