Death Valley
Moto Photo Expedition
Four days exploring the backcountry of Death Valley by motorcycle. Remote desert roads, extraordinary landscapes, photography, filmmaking, and nights beneath the desert sky.
Reserve Your Spot — $500 DepositGo Beyond the Viewpoint
The Death Valley Moto Photo Expedition is a small-group motorcycle adventure for riders who want to explore wild landscapes and learn how to capture the experience along the way.
Over four days, we'll ride remote desert roads, camp beneath vast skies, and explore some of the most extraordinary terrain in the American West. If winter rains have been kind, we may even find the desert in bloom.
Led by photographers and adventure riders Andrew Hertel and Seth Hamel, this experience brings together backcountry exploration, photography, video, and visual storytelling.
Ride. Create. Camp.
This expedition is built around three simple elements: riding, creating, and experiencing the desert. Rather than separating the adventure from the creative process, the two become part of the same journey.
Ride
Explore Death Valley on remote dirt roads and scenic pavement connectors. We'll travel at a pace that allows us to stop often, explore, and take in the landscape.
Create
Learn photography, video, composition, and visual storytelling in the field. We'll work with the changing light and the opportunities that unfold along the route.
Camp
Evenings are spent camping beneath the desert sky, sharing stories from the day, reviewing images, and preparing for the next stretch of road.
More Than a Motorcycle Trip. More Than a Photography Workshop.
Most photography workshops involve driving to a location, stepping out of the vehicle, and photographing from nearby viewpoints. Most motorcycle trips focus only on the ride itself.
We bring those worlds together. We'll travel through vast desert terrain, stop to explore and photograph, and share practical instruction along the way.
The goal isn't simply to take pictures. It's to experience the place more deeply and return home with images and footage that tell the story of the journey.
Two Photographers. Two Riders. One Expedition.
Andrew and Seth have spent years riding together, exploring remote landscapes throughout the West, and leading photography experiences. With just six participants and two instructors, there's room for individual attention and meaningful time in the field.
Andrew Hertel
Andrew is a fine art nature photographer based in Southern California. His black-and-white work focuses on quiet moments in the landscape, where light, texture, and form reveal the deeper character of a place.
His approach to photography is rooted in experience first. Time spent exploring the landscape, often by motorcycle, leads to a deeper connection with the places he photographs.
Explore Andrew's Work →
Seth Hamel
Seth is a professional photographer and experienced guide based in Southern Utah. With years of experience guiding photographers in Zion, Bryce Canyon, and throughout the surrounding desert landscapes, he brings deep knowledge of the terrain and the conditions that shape these environments.
He's also an experienced adventure rider who has spent years exploring the backroads of the Southwest. His familiarity with remote terrain and backcountry travel helps keep the expedition running smoothly.
Explore Seth's Work →
What You'll Learn
This workshop goes beyond traditional landscape photography. We'll explore how to tell the story of an adventure through both photography and video.
Traveling through the desert by motorcycle creates opportunities to document the experience itself, not just the places we visit.
Photography
- Recognizing strong compositions in complex desert environments
- Working with light, shadow, and texture
- Simplifying scenes into strong black-and-white images
- Photographing motorcycles and riders within the landscape
- Refining compositions through position and perspective
- Creating a visual story through a series of images
Video & Visual Storytelling
- Capturing movement, scale, and the feeling of being in the desert
- Working with mirrorless cameras, action cameras, and phones
- Building a sequence of footage that tells the story of a day's ride
- Combining photos and video into a cohesive record of the journey
Four Days in the Backcountry
Our route takes us through some of Death Valley's most remote and visually striking terrain, with locations such as Racetrack Playa, Eureka and Ibex Dunes, Saline Valley Road, and the open desert corridors connecting them.
The specific route and daily schedule will remain flexible, adjusting to weather, road conditions, light, and the opportunities we discover along the way.
February 24
Meet, Prepare & Explore
Meet the group, review motorcycles and equipment, discuss the route and workshop goals, and begin exploring the desert together.
February 25
Into the Backcountry
Ride remote desert roads, explore the landscape, and spend time photographing the changing light. Field instruction and visual storytelling are woven throughout the day.
February 26
Explore & Create
Continue through the backcountry, visiting striking desert terrain and working on photography and video projects as the landscape unfolds.
February 27
Final Morning & Departure
Enjoy a final opportunity for morning photography and riding before wrapping up the expedition.
This is an illustrative itinerary, not a guaranteed route. Specific destinations and timing may change based on weather, road conditions, and group safety.
Thinking About a BDR?
If you've been watching Backcountry Discovery Route films and wondering what it would take to plan and ride your own multi-day backcountry route, this expedition is a great place to start.
Death Valley's dirt roads cover terrain similar to what you'd encounter on a BDR: remote, technical in spots, demanding on rider and machine, and completely worth it.
You'll leave with a clearer sense of your skills, your bike, and your gear — and the photographs and footage to prove you were there.
Riding Experience
Participants should be comfortable riding for a full day on varied terrain. Our route includes pavement, graded dirt roads, loose and sandy sections, and some rocky or steep terrain requiring focus and confidence.
You don't need to be an off-road racer, but you should have real experience riding unpaved roads and feel comfortable managing your motorcycle when conditions become less predictable.
Participants should know their motorcycles and be able to perform basic roadside tasks such as changing a flat tire or handling minor mechanical issues.
Motorcycle Requirements
- Street-plated ADV or dual-sport motorcycle
- Comfortable on pavement and capable on rugged dirt roads
- Recommended minimum fuel range of 200 miles
- Essential tools for roadside repairs
- Spare tubes and basic repair supplies
- Rider must be comfortable on varied terrain
If you're unsure whether your experience level is a good fit, contact us before registering. We'd rather have that conversation upfront than have someone out of their comfort zone far from pavement.
What's Included
Included
- Photography and video instruction from Andrew Hertel and Seth Hamel
- Field-based teaching focused on landscape photography and adventure storytelling
- Guidance on photographing motorcycles and riders within the landscape
- Small group experience limited to six participants
- Individual feedback and discussion in the field
- Selected routes and locations for the workshop
- Support vehicle available in case of emergency
Not Included
- Motorcycle and fuel
- Transportation to and from Death Valley
- Meals and food
- National Park entrance fees
- Personal camping equipment
- Motorcycle riding gear and safety equipment
- Travel insurance, including evacuation coverage (required)
Who This Workshop Is For
This expedition is designed for photographers who enjoy adventure and want to experience the landscape in a more immersive way.
- Riders who enjoy exploring remote landscapes by motorcycle
- Photographers who want to improve their landscape and adventure photography
- People interested in documenting a journey through photography and video
- Those who appreciate slowing down and spending time observing the landscape
- Riders curious about multi-day backcountry travel and looking for a guided introduction
No advanced photography experience is required. The workshop is open to photographers at a range of skill levels who are eager to learn and engage with the landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an advanced photographer?
No. This workshop is open to photographers of all experience levels. Andrew and Seth will provide guidance appropriate to your skill level.
What kind of motorcycle do I need?
Bring a street-plated ADV or dual-sport motorcycle that is comfortable on pavement and capable of rugged dirt roads, sandy sections, and occasionally rocky terrain. A minimum fuel range of 200 miles is recommended.
Do I need camping experience?
Basic camping familiarity is helpful. Participants are responsible for bringing their own camping equipment and personal supplies.
What camera equipment should I bring?
Any interchangeable-lens camera system works well. Wide-angle and telephoto lenses are helpful. Action cameras are great for capturing the ride, and cell phones work too. Please leave drones at home, as we will be in the National Park.
Can I join if I've never ridden a BDR?
Absolutely. This expedition is a good introduction to multi-day backcountry riding for riders who already have experience on unpaved roads and feel comfortable with the terrain.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We will adapt the route and schedule to conditions. Participants should be prepared for hot, cold, rain, or snow. Weather can also create exceptional photographic opportunities.
How do I know if my riding experience is sufficient?
Contact us before registering. We'll discuss your riding background, motorcycle setup, and expectations to make sure the expedition is a good fit.
How do I reserve a spot?
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place. The remaining balance and payment details will be provided after registration.
Six Riders. Four Days.
One Incredible Landscape.
Join Andrew Hertel and Seth Hamel for an immersive motorcycle and photography expedition through Death Valley. Explore the backcountry, create meaningful images, and experience the desert from a different perspective.
Reserve Your Spot — $500 DepositFebruary 24–27, 2028 | $2,800 per person
