Bryce Canyon is incredible! The towering red and orange hoodoos unfolding before your eyes… vistas like no others on Earth. And in winter, Bryce is especially picturesque. A blanket of pure white snow adds another dimension to this already amazing landscape. You and your camera will be very happy!

Scott Davenport will be your guide on this unique journey through a breathtaking landscape.

What You'll Learn

These are just a few of the things you can look forward to on this workshop:

• Reading a scene to create dynamic, compelling landscape compositions

• Finding both the wide, sweeping landscapes and tighter, more intimate compositions

• How to best focus your camera for landscape photography

• Workflow and post processing techniques to emphasize the story of your photo and realize your creative vision

• And much, much more…

From past experience, the more questions and thirst for knowledge you bring to the workshop, the more you will get out of it. Bring those questions!

What To Bring

Participants receive a detailed workshop handbook with details on what gear and clothing to pack. Here's a summary:

• A camera that is capable of manual mode. Interchangeable lenses are a plus.

• A variety of lenses. If you can pack only one, pack your most versatile lens.

• A sturdy tripod. It can get windy.

• A laptop with photo editing software.

• A polarizing filter and neutral density filters.

• A warm, waterproof jacket, hat & gloves, and layers of clothing.

• Sturdy hiking boots and crampons.

• An open mind and a can-do attitude!

Physical Ability

This workshop will involve some hiking. If you are comfortable walking on uneven ground for 1 to 2 miles, you'll be fine on this workshop. Some roads in Bryce Canyon close to vehicles in the winter months and the best photos require some walking across packed snow. If a location is out of your comfort zone, we'll figure out an alternative.

Photographic Ability

This workshop is for photographers that are serious about improving their craft. All skill levels are welcome. You do not need to be an advanced photographer. You'll get more from the workshop if you already have an understanding of the fundamentals. If you can work comfortably in aperture priority mode and know when it's time to switch to manual/bulb, you are plenty prepared.

What Is Included

• A minimum of 6 location shoots in Bryce Canyon National Park

• Daily hands-on coaching and instruction in the field

• Group and personalized post processing instruction

• Photo critiques

• Water and snacks

What Is Not Included

• Transportation to/from Utah

• Lodging

• Meals

• Travel Insurance

• Anything else not expressly listed

Where is the workshop based?
Workshop headquarters is in Bryce Canyon City, Utah just a few miles from the entrance to Bryce Canyon. We are well within comfortable driving distance from a host of prime photo locations.

Where should I stay?
Workshop headquarters is the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon City, Utah. There are several other accommodations in town a short drive from HQ.

You will book your room on your own, and I host a workshop meeting space that will serve as our home base for class, lab, and yes, snacks!

The workshop runs for 3 full days, February 13th - 15th. I recommend arriving in Bryce Canyon City the day before on February 12th. Most likely, you’ll want to stay in town the evening of the 15th, too (unless you like late-night travel :).

What locations will we visit?
We will choose from a variety of locations on a daily basis. I have scouted and researched many sites, and we have the luxury of choosing the best location given the shooting conditions each day. Daily weather conditions will play a significant factor in selecting a location.

The Navajo Loop Trail, Sunrise Point, Bryce Point, Sunset Point, and Paria View are just a few of the places we’ll choose from. There are just too many to list! We may visit a location more than once if a particular spot gives us the best conditions for good photos.

I'm flying in. What airport should I travel to?
The headquarters for the workshop is Bryce Canyon City, Utah. The closest airport is a regional airport in Cedar City, Utah (CDC) and is about a 90 minute drive from Bryce Canyon City. The next two closest major airports are Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah or Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both are about a 4 hour drive from Bryce Canyon City.

Do I need a rental car?
Yes. You are responsible for getting yourself to Bryce Canyon City, Utah. You could Lyft your way there, but it'll be one heck of a fare. And after the workshop, you might want to spend a couple of extra days exploring Bryce and the surrounding area. There's just so much to see and photograph!

Isn’t it cold in Bryce?
Yes, it’s cold, hovering around 40F/4C during the day, and below freezing at night. Our field work will be predominantly in the daylight hours. Although the air is cold, with layers of clothing it is not frigid. Of course, a good winter jacket, hat, and gloves are necessary gear.

What level of fitness do I need?
There aren’t any epic hikes. You do need to be sufficiently fit to walk a mile or two on uneven terrain with your gear. Several of the locations involve steep grades or longer staircases to reach - meaning the hike out is the tougher part!. If you can hike on a steep grade for a 10 to 15-minute clip, you’re in good shape for this workshop. Of course, you’ll never be forced to go somewhere out of your comfort zone. We’ll figure out alternatives if and when called for.

How will we deal with rain? With snow?
There will be snow in February in Bryce Canyon – that’s also what makes it so beautiful in the winter. A winter storm is always a possibility, though in general the average daily precipitation is mild and does not typically last all day.

We won’t shoot in a downpour, or if storm conditions make being outdoors unsafe. Conversely, we won’t let a light rain discourage us from reaching a location and being prepared for a shoot. The weather can be fickle. Precipitation can come and go over the course of an hour or two. And that makes for interesting photos!

What post-processing software do I need?
Anything you are comfortable with using. I am well-versed with Lightroom, ON1 Photo RAW, and Luminar and fluent with Apple Photos and Photoshop. If you don't have any post-processing tools, read this blog post and download a free trial. 

The post-processing focus in the workshop is to teach you why a photo needs adjusting and what should be adjusted to make your photo stronger. The mechanics of how to do that will vary from tool to tool... and it's usually straightforward to figure out once we know why we want to change something in a photo.

Can I bring a spouse or +1?
As you are booking your own lodging (see the ‘Where do I stay’ question), you are welcome to bring your spouse, partner, or +1 on your trip. However, during the workshop events, our purpose is to live and breathe photography. Non-participants cannot join us on our location shoots. Your traveling companions are welcome to join us for meals taken in Bryce Canyon City.

Registration

The workshop cost is $1495. That includes personalized instruction, on location guidance, and post processing lessons

A deposit of $495 reserves your space. Per the workshop cancelation policy, deposits are non-refundable. You will be invoiced for the remaining $1000 prior to the workshop. If you need a payment plan, contact me and we'll make arrangements.

Signups within 90 days of the workshop pay the full workshop price at registration time.

Liability

Participants agree to join the workshop at their own risk and must sign an acknowledgment of risks form. By its nature, outdoor landscape photography has inherent risks. I’ll never lead you into an area that is unduly dangerous. If at any time during the workshop you don’t feel comfortable, let me know.

Cancellations

Please review the cancellation policy. This policy covers cancellations from both students and the instructor, and refund information.

Deposits are non-refundable.