2025 photo workshop for teens - Extensive details
CHAPERONING
For each photo outing I will need one volunteer from a parent or guardian. This is to protect myself and to help parents feel comfortable. When the workshop fills up, I will be contacting parents who will be traveling with their teenager to this workshop to arrange which parent will be coming on which photo outings. I understand some of the older participants may possibly travel solo which is fine, as long as we have enough parents along in order to come out for every session.
TRAVEL
The most convenient way to get to Zion (where we will be meeting) is to fly into Las Vegas, rent a car and make the three hour drive up to Springdale, UT. Springdale is the town that sits in the mouth of Zion canyon and will be our home base. Be aware that Utah is on a different time zone than Vegas. We are 1 hour later than them.
LODGING
(with some recommended lodging options)
FOR THIS WORKSHOP YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK LODGING, AND IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO GET SOMETHING IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGDALE, UTAH WHICH SITS IN THE MOUTH OF ZION CANYON. YOU SHOULD BOOK SOMETHING IN SPRINGDALE FOR THE 2 NIGHTS OF OUR WORKSHOP.
RECOMMENDED LODGING OPTIONS IN SPRINGDALE
The Desert Pearl - http://www.desertpearl.com/en/homepage
Cliffrose Lodge - http://cliffroselodge.com/
Cable Mountain Lodge - http://cablemountainlodge.com/
Holiday Inn - https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/springdale/sgusd/hoteldetail
Hampton Inn - http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/utah/hampton-inn-and-suites-springdale-zion-national-park-SGUZIHX/dining/index.html
ITINERARY
DAY 1: On this day we will meet at 9am in the town of Springdale, Utah where we will drive up to a tremendously scenic and photogenic slot canyon. After shooting the canyon we will proceed back down to Zion where we will photograph in Zion’s “scenic canyon” where we will focus on in depth camera operations. As each participant will likely have different experience levels, this instruction is catered to each person individually. We will continue to shoot through sunset, most likely visiting some unique locations requiring 4x4 driving. After sunset we will take a short break so people can grab food, and then we will head out for several hours of Milky Way photography! This is a highlight for any visiting photographer, but the youth have an extra fun time with it! We will shoot for around 3 hours, wrapping up around one in the morning.
DAY 2: This is going to be a really fun day of photography mixed with adventure. Before leaving Zion, we will do a 1 to 2 hour post production session. After that, onto the adventure! I will be hiring a talented local dirt bike rider to be our subject for the day as we visit some nearby sand dunes. Here we will focus on sports photography, and shooting dirt biking is one of the most exhilarating sports to shoot! It’s the perfect opportunity to learn about shutter speeds to freeze motion, or to showcase motion, a critical skill that transfers to every discipline in photography. During this adventure we will need to rent dune buggies (driven by adults), so we can reach this difficult to access scenic area. These things are a blast and I’m sure this day will be filled with nothing but laughs and smiles. We will stay out in this area until sunset. While our focus is mainly on shooting actions sports, this area is also optimal for landscape photography, so students can engage with either approach while we are out there. After we are done with sunset we will return to the Zion area where we will go out for a second night of Milky Way photography. Again, we will shoot Milky Way for about 3 hours.
CLOTHING
You will be visiting this region during it’s hottest months of the year. With that being said, the desert can be unpredictable so we’ll want to be prepared. Specifically, Bryce is at an elevation of 8,000 feet which is typically 20 degrees cooler than Zion.
Shorts
Long pants (hiking pants are best)
Long sleeve light cotton shirt (the coolest option for hot sunny days in the desert)
T-shirts
Fleece top
Rain pants and rain jacket (just in case)
Large shade casting hat
Sunglasses
Sun screen
Sneakers or hiking shoes (boots not necessary)
CAMERA GEAR
I understand that some of you, and your children may not know the ins and outs of what camera gear they have, or what they’ll need to have a successful experience. For anyone who registers for the workshop, I am happy to help you navigate any gear setup questions with you over the phone.
-Tripod
-Camera
- For people with crop sensor cameras, you will want a range starting at around 12mm and going up to 200mm.
-For people with full-frame cameras, you will want a range starting at around 16mm and going up to 300mm.
-Polarizing filter for each lens
-6 stop neutral density filter for wide angle lens
-Extra batteries
-Extra memory
-Battery Charger
-Laptop (for those wanting to process images throughout the workshop)
Cancellation Policy
- 90 days out or more from the workshop start date - Full refund of the deposit minus $400
- Cancellation within 90 days to 30 days before the workshop, you will receive a $750 refund. In the event that we can fill your spot with another participant, you will receive a full refund minus $400.
- Cancellation within 30 days of the workshop is non-refundable unless we can fill that spot. If we can, you will receive a full refund minus $400.
