December 4-8, 2026 w/ Joseph Rossbach @ Eric Bennett
$2695.00
The canyons and badlands of Southern Utah are beautiful year-round, but in the winter season, the sleeping cottonwoods and desert brush put on a spectacular show. The bare, pale trees reveal their intricate structure and the surrounding vegetation erupts in a rainbow of vibrant colors. Layers of eroded badlands and smooth, red canyon walls serve as fantastic backdrops for subjects. On colder mornings, ice patterns form and encase fallen leaves all along the Fremont river.
This remarkable country is also much quieter this time of year, which allows one to immerse themselves in the landscape and appreciate and explore it without any disturbance or interruption. While it does get cold overnight, temperatures during the day are usually very pleasant. In this five day workshop, Joseph and I will be showing you some of our favorite areas to photograph while sharing our knowledge and creative approach to help you make some stunning images that you can call your own.
Limited to 10 Participants
WORKSHOP INFO
For this workshop we will be focusing on The San Rafeal Swell and the surrounding area which lies between Torrey and Hanksville, UT. You will need your own vehicle to get around, but we will be encouraging carpooling within the group in order to lessen our impact and make it easier to find parking. On the first day, we will meet in Hanksville by 3PM to get checked into the hotel and make introductions, before heading out for the evening to photograph the badlands nearby. Days 2-4 will allow us to photograph from sunrise to sunset with some time in the middle of the day to rest and recharge. On day 5, the workshop will conclude after photographing the morning light in time to get back to the hotel to pack up and check out. Following the workshop, we will meet together over zoom for a group image review where Joseph and I will provide you with some feedback and editing suggestions for a few of your photographs taken during the workshop. We are also offering a 3-day extension for an additional backcountry adventure. More info below.
Since Eric and I are both very familiar with this area, we have plenty of must-see locations on the itinerary. However, we will remain flexible in order to make last minute decisions based on lighting and weather conditions in order to be whichever spot we feel would be best. On some days, we will be photographing right next to our vehicles, and on others, we may hike out a little in order to get better perspectives. There will be very little elevation gain and our longest hike will likely be no more than 3 miles roundtrip. The scenery will be very conducive for intimate photography, so a telephoto lens and tripod are an absolute must.
This workshop will be suitable for any photography skill level, whether you are just getting started or have been at it for a long time. We are both well experienced in teaching basic photo theory and camera settings. But really, what we are most passionate about is teaching our unique philosophies and approaches to nature photography, which will allow you to really think outside the box to capture unique images regardless of the weather conditions. These canyons and badlands are great places to experiment and explore your creativity!
LODGING & TRANSPORTATION
While the price of lodging is not included in the workshop, we will help facilitate affordable lodging in Hanksville and Torrey where we have already blocked out hotel rooms for you. We will reach out with more details after you register. Of course, if you would prefer to camp instead, there are many dispersed camping areas on BLM land within close proximity to where we will be photographing. Just keep in mind that overnight temperatures can drop very low this time of year.
Unless you are driving out in your own vehicle, for traveling to Hanksville where the workshop will be based, the nearest airports are Salt Lake City, UT: SLC (3 hour drive) or Grand Junction, CO: GJT (2 hour drive). pot we feel would be best. On some days, we will be photographing right next to our vehicles, and on others, we may hike out a little in order to get better perspectives. There will be very little elevation gain and our longest hike will likely be no more than 3 miles roundtrip. The scenery will be very conducive for intimate photography, so a telephoto lens and tripod are an absolute must.
3 DAY BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE ADD-ON
December 9-11
For those who are in good physical condition and want to venture a little further, Joseph and I are offering a 2 Night/3 Day extension where we will be heading into the wilderness to photograph some more remote canyons. The exact locations are still to be determined based on weather conditions and accessibility, but more info can be provided upon request. In order to create a more immersive experience and respect the fragility of these special places, we are limiting this adventure to a very small group. You will need all of your own camping equipment and a high clearance vehicle. This option can be selected during checkout when you register, or later on after you've registered for the workshop if you decide you'd like to join.
LIMITED TO 4 PARTICIPANTS - You may register for this during checkout. Just choose the add on an add it to your cart.
