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May 12-16‚ 2025 - Sold Out!

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Workshop Dates
Investment: $2,495
Investment: $2,495
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

    Easy to Moderate

    Most hikes are up to two miles (round trip) on uneven terrain. One hike is 6 miles round trip with a small amount of elevation gain and some sandy areas.

    More Info 

  • Curriculum

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    Our days will be split between sunrise and sunset field sessions, with classroom time and breaks in between. You'll learn techniques like: focus stacking, unique Lightroom methodologies, and developing projects to take your photography to the next level!

  • Group Size

    Limited to 8 Guests

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

  • Location

    Torrey, Utah

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    Salt Lake City (SLC)

    Check Flights 

Description

Embark on an unforgettable photographic journey through the captivating landscapes of Utah's desert. Based in the charming town of Torrey, this workshop will take you to the breathtaking vistas of Capitol Reef National Park, the rugged beauty of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the otherworldly formations of Factory Butte. You'll focus on grand landscapes, intimate scenes, and the timeless allure of black and white photography. With ample time in the field and engaging classroom sessions, you'll gain a deeper understanding of composition, light, and the art of seeing, while learning David's innovative Lightroom workflow to create stunning images with minimal effort. Don't miss this chance to explore, learn, and grow as a photographer in one of the most visually striking regions of the American Southwest.

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: Kickoff and Immersion

  • 5:00 pm: Meet at the hotel for introductions and a warm welcome.
  • Evening Session: Engage in captivating presentations at the hotel, setting the stage for the art of photographing the unique landscapes of Central Utah. We'll discuss composition techniques, lighting, and the unique challenges and opportunities of the desert and mountain environments, such as capturing the intricate details of the rock formations and working with the changing weather patterns.
  • Dinner break: Enjoy a delightful meal together, fostering connections and camaraderie among the group.

Days 2-4: In-depth Exploration and Learning

  • Early Morning (pre-sunrise until mid-morning): Venture into the heart of Central Utah to capture the breathtaking beauty of the region in the soft, golden light of early morning. We'll focus on creating compelling compositions that showcase the iconic landscapes, such as the towering red rock cliffs, winding slot canyons, and expansive vistas, while harnessing the power of light to evoke emotion in your images.
  • Brunch & Rest: Return to the hotel for a well-deserved meal and a brief rest to recharge for the afternoon sessions.
  • Afternoon: Gather for an engaging image share, where everyone will present their favorite images from the previous outings. This is an opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate the group's achievements.
  • Classroom Session: Dive into our exclusive Lightroom techniques designed to streamline your creative workflow without compromising the impact of your final images. We'll explore new tools and techniques each day, building upon the previous day's learnings, with a focus on enhancing the unique qualities of Central Utah's landscapes, such as bringing out the rich, warm tones of the red rock and creating depth in the expansive scenes. You'll have ample time to work on your own images under our guidance.
  • Evening: Embark on a mesmerizing sunset shoot, applying the techniques and insights gained throughout the day. We'll focus on creating dynamic, emotive landscapes that showcase Central Utah's unique beauty, such as capturing the interplay of light and shadow on the rock formations and experimenting with panoramic compositions to convey the grandeur of the landscape.

Day 5: Reflection and Farewell

  • Early Morning (pre-sunrise until mid-morning): Embark on a final sunrise shoot, putting into practice all the skills and techniques acquired throughout the workshop, such as using foreground elements to create depth and scale in the scene and capturing the ethereal beauty of the early morning mist in the valleys.
  • Brunch & Rest: Savor a final meal together, reflecting on the experiences and growth achieved during the workshop.
  • Midday: Gather for a concluding image critique session, where you'll receive valuable feedback and insights on your work. We'll celebrate the progress made and discuss strategies for continuing your photographic journey beyond the workshop, with an emphasis on refining your unique vision for landscape photography in Central Utah and beyond.
  • 1:00 pm: The workshop concludes, leaving you inspired, enriched, and equipped with new skills, fresh perspectives, and lasting friendships forged through a shared passion for nature photography amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of Central Utah.

What You'll Experience

Iconic Landscapes: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Central Utah, from the towering red rock formations of Capitol Reef National Park to the intricate canyons of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the striking badlands around Factory Butte. Capture the essence of these iconic landscapes through your lens.

Diverse Photography Opportunities: Discover a wide array of photographic subjects, including colorful rock formations, deep slot canyons, and the unique desert landscapes surrounding Factory Butte. From the soft light of dawn to the warm glow of sunset, each moment offers new opportunities for stunning landscape imagery.

Classroom Instruction: Benefit from comprehensive classroom sessions covering composition techniques, exposure blending, and post-processing specific to the unique challenges of photographing the desert southwest. We'll help you refine your skills and create captivating images that showcase the beauty of Central Utah.

Personalized Guidance: Receive one-on-one support from experienced photographers who know the area intimately, ensuring you make the most of your time in the field and develop your unique creative vision.

Why Central Utah in May?

Peak Desert Beauty: May is an ideal time to photograph the desert landscapes of Central Utah. The mild temperatures and clear skies create optimal conditions for capturing the vibrant colors and intricate details of the red rock formations and canyons.

Iconic Locations: Photograph the iconic landscapes of Factory Butte, with its striking badlands and sandstone formations rising from the desert floor. Explore the lesser-known but equally stunning areas of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, capturing the deep, winding canyons and grand vistas of this remote wilderness.

Wildflower Potential: Depending on the previous winter's precipitation, May can bring a delightful display of desert wildflowers, adding a splash of color to the already stunning landscapes of Central Utah.

Important Details

Lodging: We have arranged a special group rate at the Red Sands Hotel & Spa, conveniently located near our shooting locations. Room rates are $200/night, providing a comfortable and luxurious base for our photography adventures. More details will be provided upon registration.

Image Gallery

What is Included

  • Small class size of 8 maximum to ensure proper attention to each client
  • Two attentive instructors for a client to instructor ratio of 4:1
  • Water and snacks
  • Image Critiques
  • Tailored post processing instruction in Lightroom and Photoshop

What is Not Included

  • Transportation - Everyone will carpool together
  • 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 is Authorized Permittee of Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and the Bureau of Land Management. 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?

Yes, but seating is limited. If they come out on location you will have to provide your own transportation, or pay the full price for another seat.

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. There is cell service and wifi available in Torrey.

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 involves moderate hiking, with our longest trek being the 6 mile round-trip hike to Calf Creek Falls. The trail features some elevation changes, rocky sections, and sandy areas. Other hikes will be shorter and mostly on flat terrain. To fully enjoy the Calf Creek Falls hike, you should be in good physical shape. If you have any concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

How to Get There

By Car

  • Torrey is located on Utah State Route 24, about 8 miles from Capitol Reef National Park's west entrance.
  • It can be accessed from Interstate 70 by taking Exit 149 for UT-24 West and driving about 50 miles.
  • Torrey is also on the junction of Utah Scenic Byway 12, which connects it to Bryce Canyon National Park to the southwest and Capitol Reef to the northeast.

By Air

  • The nearest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, about 3.5 hours drive from Torrey.
  • Smaller regional airports are available in Cedar City and Moab, both around 2 hours away.
  • 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!

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