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March 3-7‚ 2025 - Sold Out!

Select the dates below to join the waitlist

Workshop Dates
Investment: $2,995
Investment: $2,995
Sale Sold out
Learn More and Sign Up

  • Experience Level

    Beginner to Advanced 

    This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You'll receive personalized guidance to build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses. Expect to be challenged and grow, regardless of your starting point.

  • Fitness Level

    Moderate

    Hikes up to 3 miles round-trip over uneven rocky terrain. Easy if you are fit, otherwise may be challenging. Many hours in the Jeep every day.

    More Info 

  • Curriculum

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    This is a unique workshop due to the remote locations we will be visiting. Nearly all of our time in Death Valley will be spent in the field, with image processing and critiques over Zoom after the workshop.

  • Group Size

    Limited to 6 Guests

    We keep our group sizes small to ensure the individual attention you deserve.

  • Location

    Stovepipe Wells, California

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    Las Vegas (LAS)

    Check Flights 

Description

This is a unique opportunity to photograph some of the most remote areas in Death Valley that are only accessible with Jeeps or moderate hiking. Even if you have been on a workshop with us before in Death Valley, many of the locations will be new to you. You will have the opportunity to photograph two different remote sand dunes, massive fields of Joshua Trees, dramatic overlooks high above the valley, and unique viewpoints of Zabriskie Point and 20 Mule Team Canyon. Be prepared for long drives to reach these remote areas; because of the long days, we will not have classroom time during the workshop. There will be an image critique session and Lightroom processing after the workshop over Zoom.

Your Pro Leaders

  • David Kingham

    David is an accomplished professional photographer renowned for his evocative nature imagery. His work showcases intimate landscapes, stunning nightscapes, and masterful black-and-white photography. As the founder of Exploring Exposure, David is dedicated to mentoring aspiring photographers, helping them refine their skills and develop their artistic vision.

    View David's Portfolio 

  • Jennifer Renwick

    Jennifer is a professional photographer renowned for her captivating abstract and small scene imagery. With a keen eye for detail, she uncovers the hidden stories within grand landscapes. Jennifer is passionate about helping fellow photographers discover their unique style and guiding them to express their vision through meaningful projects.

    View Jennifer's Portfolio 

Itinerary

Preparation: Upon registration, a comprehensive itinerary will be sent to you, ensuring all the details are at your fingertips to help you plan your travel arrangements seamlessly.

Day 1: Ibex Dunes Exploration

  • 11:00 am: Meet at the hotel and embark on a drive to the stunning Ibex Dunes.
  • Afternoon: Hike through the dunes, exploring the unique textures, patterns, and shapes created by the wind and light. Focus on capturing the abstract beauty of the dunes, experimenting with compositions that highlight the interplay of light and shadow.
  • Evening: Drive to Shoshone for a delightful dinner, then return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 2: Aguereberry Point and Marble Canyon Adventure

  • Morning: Rise early to photograph the breathtaking vistas from Aguereberry Point, capturing the first light as it paints the landscape in a warm, golden glow. After the shoot, drive back to the hotel for a hearty breakfast at Stovepipe.
  • Midday to Evening: Embark on a drive to the awe-inspiring Marble Canyon. Hike through the canyon, marveling at the intricate rock formations and vibrant colors. Photograph the canyon's hidden gems, focusing on the details and abstract patterns that make this location so unique. Return to the hotel for a restful evening.

Day 3: Eureka Dunes Expedition

  • Afternoon: Set out on a drive to the majestic Eureka Dunes, the tallest dunes in California. Hike through the dunes, exploring the ever-changing landscape and seeking out compelling compositions that showcase the scale and grandeur of the dunes.
  • Evening: Enjoy a memorable dinner in the field, surrounded by the beauty of the desert. As the light fades, experiment with long exposures and capture the dunes under the stars. Drive back to the hotel, filled with inspiration and new images.

Day 4: Mosaic Canyon and Flexible Afternoon Options

  • Morning: Photograph the intriguing Mosaic Canyon, known for its polished marble walls and narrow, twisting passages. Focus on capturing the unique textures, patterns, and light that define this remarkable location.
  • Afternoon to Night: Depending on the conditions and the group's preferences, choose between photographing the otherworldly landscapes of Lee Flat or the iconic Racetrack Playa. At Lee Flat, explore the surreal rock formations and expansive vistas, while at the Racetrack, marvel at the mysterious sailing stones and capture the playa's cracked, abstract patterns.

Day 5: Sunrise Photography and Workshop Conclusion

  • Sunrise to 10:00 am: Embark on a final sunrise photography session, putting into practice all the skills and techniques acquired throughout the workshop. Seek out new perspectives and compositions, capturing the essence of Death Valley's rugged beauty.
  • 10:00 am: Conclude the workshop, leaving you with a wealth of new images, unforgettable experiences, and a deepened appreciation for the unique landscapes of Death Valley. Depart with newfound friends, a refined photographic vision, and the confidence to continue exploring the world through your lens.

What You'll Experience

Off-Road Adventures: Embark on an exciting journey through Death Valley's remote and rugged landscapes, accessing unique locations that are far from the beaten path. Our off-road adventures will take you to hidden gems such as Eureka Dunes, Ibex Dunes, Lee Flat, and Aguereberry Point, all from the comfort and convenience of our rugged Jeeps.

Diverse Photography Opportunities: Discover a wide array of photographic subjects, from the towering sand dunes of Eureka and Ibex to the stunning fields of Joshua trees at Lee Flat and the breathtaking overlook at Aguereberry Point, with its striking rock formations and sweeping views of the valley below. Explore these less-visited areas of Death Valley in search of distinctive and compelling landscapes that showcase the park's raw beauty and diversity.

In-Field Instruction: Receive hands-on guidance and instruction from experienced photographers who know the park's backcountry intimately. Our instructors will be by your side in the field, offering tips on composition, exposure, and creative techniques to help you capture stunning images that reflect your unique vision.

Personalized Guidance: Benefit from one-on-one support and feedback throughout the workshop, ensuring you make the most of your time in the field and develop your skills as a photographer. Our instructors will work closely with you to help you achieve your creative goals and create a portfolio of images that showcases the beauty of Death Valley's off-road wonders.

Why Death Valley Off-Road?

Unique Photographic Opportunities: Venturing off-road in Death Valley opens up a world of unique photographic opportunities that are inaccessible to most visitors. By exploring the park's remote corners, such as the Eureka Dunes and Lee Flat, you'll capture landscapes and scenes that are truly one-of-a-kind, setting your images apart from the more commonly photographed locations.

Authentic Wilderness Experience: Our Jeep adventures will immerse you in the authentic wilderness of Death Valley, allowing you to experience the park's raw beauty and solitude. This intimate connection with the landscape will inspire your creativity and help you create more meaningful and impactful photographs.

Expanding Your Skills: Photographing in remote, off-road locations presents a unique set of challenges, from changing weather conditions to difficult terrain. By embracing these challenges and learning to adapt, you'll expand your skills as a photographer and gain confidence in your ability to capture stunning images in any situation.

Important Details

Lodging: We have secured a block of rooms at the Stovepipe Wells Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Death Valley National Park. The special group rate is $229/night, providing a comfortable and rustic base for our desert photography adventures. The hotel offers easy access to the park's main roads, from which we'll begin our off-road Jeep explorations. More details will be provided upon registration.

Image Gallery

What is Included

  • Transportation (Rented 4x4 Jeeps that the instructors will be driving) from the hotel to the locations we will be photographing
  • Two attentive instructors for a client to instructor ratio of 3:1
  • Water and snacks
  • Image Critiques
  • Tailored processing instruction in Lightroom and Photoshop
  • Meals when we are out in the backcountry

What is Not Included

  • Lodging - we have a block of rooms held for you
  • Meals - we will be eating some meals together as a group​

Safety First

Your safety is our utmost priority, especially when exploring remote locations. As certified Wilderness First Responders, David and Jennifer are prepared to handle any situation, big or small. We also carry satellite communication devices to ensure we can request rescue assistance if needed in areas without cellular coverage.

Responsible

As proud members of Nature First Photography, we are committed to responsible nature photography practices. We abide by and promote the seven principles of this movement to our clients, encouraging them to join us in preserving the natural world we capture through our lenses.

Join Nature First

Legal Compliance

At Exploring Exposure, we operate with the highest level of integrity. We obtain all necessary permits, carry comprehensive liability insurance, and acquire any required certifications to ensure our workshops are conducted legally and ethically.

For this workshop Exploring Exposure operates under a Commercial Use Authorization with the National Park Service. We are also an equal opportunity service provider.

Our Teaching Philosophy

At our workshops, we are dedicated to helping you discover and develop your unique creative style through personalized training tailored to your skill level and photographic interests. Our goal is to provide you with a rigorous learning experience, both in the field and the classroom, to elevate your photography to new heights.

Your growth and satisfaction are our top priorities. We put your interests first, focusing solely on your learning experience. Throughout the workshop, we will take photographs alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene, share techniques, and foster a sense of camaraderie within the group. However, we will never leave you to pursue our own photographic endeavors. Our attention will always remain on you and your progress.

We regularly check in with each participant to provide helpful feedback and advice on your work, without being overbearing. Our biggest goal is to see you succeed and learn, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

We recognize that each participant joins our workshops at different stages of their photographic development. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, we are here to guide and assist you. We firmly believe that there is always room for growth and improvement in photography, and we are committed to helping you refine your skills and find your unique creative vision.

Above all, we strive to create a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience for you. Our small group sizes allow us to build strong connections with our clients, fostering a sense of community and belonging. We are driven by our love for photography and find immense joy in witnessing our participants' growth and artistic development.

Join us on this exciting journey of photographic discovery, and let us help you unlock your full creative potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

We’re sorry, but due to limited seating in the Jeeps spouses will have to pay full price to come along on field sessions.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

Cell signal is extremely intermittent in most of the locations we will visit, you should not expect to be connected all the time, at certain locations you may be offline for long periods, enjoy the silence. Stovepipe Wells has cell service, but expect the data to be extremely slow and potentially unusable. The hotel has wifi which is also extremely slow.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Dramatic weather is when the best photographs are created! Unless there are very dangerous conditions the weather will not stop us, in fact it will encourage us! No rain checks will be given for any weather related circumstances.

Will the instructors take photos during the workhop?

The instructors will take a few photos in a limited manner, this is so you can see how we approach a scene, create comradery with the group, and show you the same type of images you will be taking for our processing session. Our focus will always remain with you.

More Information

Fitness Level

This workshop will involve short hikes of 2-3 miles total daily. We will be hiking to sand dunes, but do not let this discourage you! The hikes are primarily to the dunes, not in them. They are 1.5 mile one-way over fairly flat, hard-packed sand that just about anyone in good health can do. Once we arrive at the dunes you can choose how far you want to go, they are fairly low, rolling dunes with just a bit of up and down. For those that want to go higher, we can split up the group since we have two leaders. If you have any doubts, please contact us before signing up to discuss further. There is also a hike up a steep and narrow ridge, if you are uncomfortable with heights we can again break the group up for this and some can go to a lower viewpoint.

How to Get There

  • We recommend flying to Las Vegas, from there it is a 2 hour drive to Furnace Creek.
  • We recommend using Google Flights to find the best option for where you are coming from.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you cancel 90 days prior to the workshop we will refund your initial payment minus a $100 fee.
  • 90 days before the start of the workshop, we will refund your initial payment only if we can fill your spot.
  • The full balance is due 60 days before the workshop. There will be no refunds on the full amount owed. We will attempt to fill your spot, if filled there will be a $100 administrative fee charged and the rest of your payment will be refunded.

There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, even for medical emergencies. All cancellation requests must be in writing and received either by US mail or E-mail. We encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend trip insurance to protect you in the event of an unexpected situation that prevents you from attending the workshop. We recommend Travelguard or World Nomads.

We reserve the right to cancel any workshop if the minimum student enrollment is not met. In the event we cancel a workshop, participants will be given the option to reschedule to a later date or receive a full refund. we are not, however, liable for expenses incurred such as airfare or accommodations, and for this reason we also recommend the purchase of trip insurance.

Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out, we are happy to help!

Customer Reviews

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B
Bill

David and Jennifer did a wonderful job on this workshop. Under the best of circumstances, Death Valley can be a difficult area to photograph. During this trip, getting into back country proved difficult due to extreme weather that seems to be the new normal: think sustained wind speeds of 40 mph for two days; snow blocking, or threatening to block passes around the park; and, abnormally low temperatures for the time of year. David and Jennifer's new motto should be 'Plan to Improvise' because they are very adroit at both. Their knowledge of the area allowed them to shuffle the planned itinerary for the safety and satisfaction of everyone.

M
Mike

We embarked on a multi-day backcountry camping adventure in DV with David and Jennifer at the lead. Right from the start, we were faced with challenging weather conditions which forced them to reevaluate the original itinerary. They were very professional and diplomatic about explaining the options and included the group in the final decision. We were faced with similar weather challenges throughout the trip and each time they were successful at providing us with the best possible shooting locations given the circumstances, even if it meant long unplanned drives. Thankfully they have an intimate knowledge of DV and the surrounds, which enabled them to work with the cards Mother Nature dealt us. They are very accommodating workshop leaders and provided a very comfortable camping experience, cooking meals and always checking in to make sure everyone was comfortable. In the field, they are available to answer any questions you have and willing to give you as much or as little guidance as you desire. Their teaching approach is not overbearing and they are very approachable. Even though our workshop did not include a formal post-processing session, they still found some time to do some teaching on the subject. Even though they are highly accomplished photographers, they are very personable and down to earth and make the whole experience very fun.

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