ULTIMATE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST PHOTO ADVENTURE
Sep 30-Oct 10, 2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
11-day Photo Tour that explores the amazing southwestern landscapes of Utah, Arizona and Nevada
All ground transportation included in the comfort of 12 passenger van
Small group with a maximum of 7 guests
10 nights of accommodations in modern and comfortable hotels
Expert photographic instruction
Magnificent Scenery and Wonderful Image-making
WHAT TO EXPECT
The American Southwest offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Its variety of landforms provides an ever-changing array of amazing landscape photography prospects.
Even if you’ve been to Utah, Arizona or Nevada before, this trip will open your eyes to new photographic opportunities. We will travel from Salt Lake City, UT to Las Vegas, NV and hit some of my favorite photo locations along the way, including;
- Arches NP
- Canyonlands NP
- Dead Horse Point SP
- Goblin Valley SP
- Capitol Reef NP
- Bryce Canyon NP
- White Pocket
- Page, AZ - Slot Canyons and Horshoe Bend
- Grand Canyon, NP
- Zion NP
- Valley of Fire SP
This workshop will give you the opportunity to capture all the greatness and epic landscapes these magnificent locations have to offer.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL
LOW-MODERATE
There are accessible experiences for every ability level on this trip. There are a few locations that could require 2-3 miles of low-moderate level hiking if you choose to do this. However, at each of these locations there are plenty of nearby photo opportunities that don't require much effort at all. Some of our photo locations will be at an elevation of 5000-9000 feet, and this will be taken into account as we walk around these areas. On any walk that we take, there is very little elevation change and most walks are relatively flat. There are a couple of locations where there may be a short, steep incline...but these can be taken at a very slow pace.
PHOTOGRAPHY LEVEL
ALL LEVELS
Extensive instruction will be provided during this trip. You should have a basic understanding of how to use your camera and basic knowledge of shutter speed, f-stop and ISO.
ITINERARY
SEP 30 - SALT LAKE CITY, UT
This is your arrival day at Salt Lake City, UT. Lodging will be provided and all are invited to a welcome dinner at 7 PM.
OCT 1-2 - MOAB, UT
We will depart Salt Lake City after breakfast to begin our adventure. A 3.5 hour drive (our longest drive on the trip) will take us to the spectacular beauty of Moab, UT. While here, we will visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Deadhorse Point State Park...as well as some other lesser-known photographic gems in the area. Conditions permitting, we will take one of the most breathtaking drives you've ever been on.
OCT 3-4 - GOBLIN VALLEY SP, LITTLE WILD HORSE CANYON, CAPITOL REEF NP, UT
Photograph sunrise at Goblin Valley State Park and proceed to the nearby Little Wild Horse Canyon. In the middle of the day we will take a very scenic drive to Canyonland National Park where will photograph in the late afternoon through sunset.
OCT 4-5 - BRYCE CANYON NP, UT
After photographing Capitol Reef at sunrise we will take our time driving along an extremely scenic road to Bryce Canyon National park in time for a sunset shoot.
OCT 5 - WHITE POCKET, AZ
After a sunrise photo session at Bryce Canyon, we will make our way to Kanab, UT. We will be picked up in the middle of the day and transported in a 4x4 vehicle to a remote area of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument known as White Pocket. Here you will be astounded by the amazing colors and layering of rock.
OCT 6-7 - SLOT CANYONS, HORSESHOE BEND, GRAND CANYON NP (AZ)
We may sleep in (a little bit) on this morning and make an hour drive to Page, AZ where we will spend the morning photographing a spectacular slot canyon. We may make a brief stop at Horseshoe Bend before making our way to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
OCT 7-9 - ZION NP, UT
After photographing sunrise at the Grand Canyon, we will make a leisurely drive to Zion National Park (we may even make time to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon). Zion is spectacular and well worth spending a couple of days here as the trip nears its end.
OCT 9-10 - VALLEY OF FIRE SP, NV
After photographing sunrise at Zion, we will make our way to my favorite destination...Valley of Fire State Park outside of Las Vegas. We will have one sunset and one sunrise photo session here. On October 10, I will have you to the Airport by noon....which is unfortunately the end of our adventure.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
All of the hotels are of good standard – modern and comfortable. Wi-fi is available everywhere. We will be eating at restaurants but we might take food with us into the field a couple of times during the tour. If we want to take advantage of good photography conditions during the afternoon and evening, then we might have to skip a dinner and rely on food that we’ll carry with us. You will not go hungry, there will always be plenty of food, but a meal might not always be in the form of a hot restaurant meal. If we do not return for dinner we’ll make sure that we’ll have a good lunch before departing and vice versa. This tour is about photography first and foremost. Although we take your comfort seriously, we might have to sacrifice a little bit to take advantage of good light.
GETTING AROUND
We will be traveling in a 12-passenger van. There will be plenty of space for 6-7 participants to spread out and plenty of room behind the rear seat for luggage.
REGISTRATION
INCLUDED
- 10 NIGHTS OF LODGING
- GROUND TRANSPORTATION DURING THE TRIP
- WELCOME DINNER
- PARK/ENTRY FEES
- WHITE POCKET & SLOT CANYON TOUR
- INSTRUCTION/COACHING
NOT INCLUDED
- MEALS/FOOD
- TRANSPORTATION TO SALT LAKE CITY OR FROM LAS VEGAS
- TRAVEL INSURANCES
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
This is a great opportunity for you to take pictures of the environment. Most travelling is undertaken on vehicles but some images are best taken away from the vehicle and may involve some very moderate walking. A couple of locations do require a steep walk for a short duration. You should be able to climb into and out of a vehicle and walk unaided for short distances. Guests must complete a standard liability waiver before participating in this tour.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
To register for most workshops you have the option of initially only paying a deposit. If you choose this option, the remaining balance is due 90 days before the start of the workshop. If you would like to set up an installment plan, please contact me.
A deposit is a commitment, on your part, that you will be participating on a photography tour/workshop. These deposits are generally used well in advance of the workshop to cover various expenses. Because of this, deposits are non-refundable or may be subject to a cancellation fee.
CANCELLATION POLICIES:
MORE THAN 180 DAYS BEFORE THE START DATE OF A WORKSHOP: Deposit forfeited. If your spot is filled, your deposit will be refunded.
90-180 DAYS BEFORE THE START DATE OF THE WORKSHOP: Deposit forfeited and you will be billed for 50% of workshop fee (minus the deposit paid). If your spot is filled, your deposit and all fees will be refunded.
LESS THAN 90 DAYS BEFORE THE START DATE OF THE WORKSHOP: Deposit forfeited and you will be billed the full workshop fee (minus the deposit paid). if your spot is filled, your deposit and all fees will be refunded.
CANCELLED WORKSHOPS:
It is extremely rare that I have to cancel a workshop. If I am forced to cancel a workshop for any reason, your entire tuition will be refunded or transferred to another workshop. The only conditions that might lead to cancelling a workshop would be; dangerous or unsafe conditions, a family emergency (but I can usually find a substitute leader) or under-enrollment. A forecast of “bad” weather is not enough to cancel a workshop. Inclement weather often creates spectacular photographic conditions.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Mark Buckler and Mark Buckler Photography are not responsible for refunding any costs associated with the workshop (including the workshop fee), travel, lodging, or incidental losses in the event a workshop is cancelled or you back out for any reason. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you acquire travel insurance.