2025 DEATH VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
DATES: DECEMBER 11 - 14, 2025
PRICING: $1,800 (no lodging) or $2,600 (includes single occupancy lodging)
GUEST CAPACITY: Open to 6 participants, offering 3 to 1 instructor/guide ratio. We will be traveling in 2 Toyota 4Runners.
GUIDES/INSTRUCTORS: Seth Hamel and Andrew Hertel
REGISTRATION: In order to register, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Deposit for this workshop is $500.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
This isn’t your typical photography workshop. While we will visit some of Death Valley’s iconic and popular locations, we’ll also venture into the park’s remote and lesser-known areas, uncovering hidden gems that most visitors never see. These unique and secluded spots offer opportunities to capture the untamed essence of this incredible desert, providing images that truly stand apart.
This will be a workshop for those who enjoy exploring the beauty of an area, and finding compositions through exploration while hiking. Expect to walk extensively, especially when exploring the dunes and venturing into the park's stunning canyons, where every step brings a new perspective. You’ll immerse yourself in the landscapes, observing how light, shadow, and textures shift throughout the day. By slowing down and connecting with the environment, you’ll create intentional and impactful photographs that tell a story. With a group size limited to just three participants to each guide, you’ll receive focused, personalized guidance throughout the experience, ensuring that every moment is tailored to your creative journey.
This immersive workshop spans 4 days and 3 nights, offering ample time to explore, create, and refine your photography skills. We will rise early each morning to photograph the stunning light as the desert awakens. Once the morning session is over, we will return for breakfast and a well-earned rest. During this downtime, we can review your photos and delve into post-processing techniques. In the afternoon, we will venture out again to capture the magical evening light in carefully selected locations. Each day will have a dedicated itinerary filled with unique activities and locations.
Vast Sand Dunes: Traverse some of the most beautiful and remote dunes in Death Valley. Discover the interplay of light and shadow, and look for captivating forms, shapes, and textures as you work to craft your shots.
Rugged and Remote Landscapes: Explore beyond the well-trodden paths to uncover the park’s hidden beauty.
Immersive Exploration: Spend time walking and connecting with the terrain, going beyond obvious vantage points.
Hands-On Guidance: Receive thoughtful, one-on-one instruction tailored to your skill level and creative goals.
Itinerary
While the desert landscape of Death Valley may seem timeless, the light, weather, and conditions shift constantly—and that’s where the magic happens. This workshop is thoughtfully planned to maximize photographic opportunities, with a flexible approach that allows us to adapt based on weather conditions, light quality, and the unique opportunities each day presents.
Each day will follow a structured rhythm. We’ll rise early to catch the soft, golden hues of the morning light, venturing into carefully chosen locations that offer dynamic compositions as the desert awakens. After our morning session, we’ll return for a well-earned breakfast and rest, with dedicated time for photo reviews, post-processing sessions, and discussions to refine your creative vision.
In the afternoon, we’ll set out again, exploring new areas and preparing to capture the magic of golden hour and the dramatic transitions from daylight to dusk. While we have specific locations in mind, we'll adjust our plans as needed to chase the best light and conditions, ensuring we’re always in the right place at the right time.
This balanced approach provides both the structure of a well-thought-out plan and the flexibility to embrace the unexpected moments that make photography in Death Valley truly unforgettable.
Who This Workshop Is For
Those who are willing to work for their compositions, whether it’s hiking to reach the perfect dune or patiently waiting for the light.
Participants with a moderate fitness level who are comfortable walking long distances (2-3 miles) over uneven terrain, especially in sand dunes.
Photographers who want to explore beyond the well-known and dive into the remote beauty of Death Valley.
Anyone seeking a small, intimate group setting for a personalized and immersive experience.
What’s Included
Personalized instruction and guidance throughout the workshop.
Post-processing sessions focused on using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to refine and enhance your images.
Transportation to all shooting locations in my 4x4 vehicle.
Access to both popular and remote locations within Death Valley.
What’s Not Included
While this workshop provides a comprehensive and immersive experience, certain costs are not included to allow participants the flexibility to tailor their travel plans
Lodging. Participants will be responsible for securing their own lodging. However, I will arrange a block of rooms at Stovepipe Wells for a discounted rate to make the process easier for you. If you prefer, I am happy to book your lodging on your behalf and include the cost in your final workshop price. Lodging details will be provided upon booking the workshop. There is also a campground across the street from the hotel if participants wish to camp during the workshop.
Meals, beverages and snacks.
Travel to and from Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is accessible from multiple directions, with the closest airports being in Las Vegas, NV, and Los Angeles, CA. From Las Vegas, the drive to the park takes approximately 2 hours. From Los Angeles, it takes about 4.5 hours.
Park Entrance Fee.
Personal Expenses.
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to protect against unforeseen circumstances such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or travel delays. This ensures peace of mind in case of unexpected events.
YOUR WORKSHOP LEADERS
Seth Hamel - Owner of Enlighten Photography Excursions, Zion National Park area
Local to Zion National Park, I have been guiding and teaching landscape photography full-time for 12 years. My greatest passion in life is the outdoors. Getting a great photograph isn’t what inspires me to spend time in nature, rather, spending time in nature is what inspires me to photograph. As most of you have experienced; nature can have some of the greatest impacts to the soul. Death Valley is perhaps where I experience that the most. Its’ vast and raw landscape leaves me feeling small, vulnerable and temporary in this existence; all the while feeling a deep connection to eternities. For me, Death Valley is a place of spirituality and it has become a sacred place to me.
Andrew Hertel - Black and White Fine art photographer, San Diego California
Andrew is one of my absolute best friends, who happens to be a fine art photographer specializing in the medium of Black and White. For quite a few years we’ve been doing an annual photography trip as we journey deep into the backcountry of Death Valley exploring for days at a time on motorcycles before coming back to pavement and fueling up for more adventure. Every time we photograph together, Andrew very much influences how I’m looking at light. In the world of Black and White, light is arguably more important than in color photography for a number of reasons. Andrew has a gifted eye for seeing light, and he has influenced my understanding it. He is energetic, quite comical, cheerful, thoughtful, and just an overall great guy. I’m honored to be running this workshop with him, and I know whomever joins this workshop is going to laugh a lot, and learn a great deal from him. You can see his work at: www.andrewhertel.com
