THE GOLDEN ASPENS WORKSHOP
- THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTWESTERN UTAH -
September 21 - 24, 2026 (Workshop for those with limited mobility)
September 28 - October 1, 2026 (Workshop for those with average fitness)
$2,250
During the last week of September every year, there is no place that I would rather be. Here. Home, in the mountains of Southern Utah. Had the boundaries of Zion National Park been drawn differently, this could be part of Zion, and it is certainly worthy of it. Deep desert/mountain canyons, Bryce-esque red rock formations, ancient bristlecone pines aged at 4,000 years old, lava beds, wildlife, and aspen groves that transition to neon color for 2 weeks each year. It is the most magnificent time of the year in Utah.
These mountains are home for me from April through November—a place I decided on because of my passion for the area. And after many years of exploring, I am excited to finally offer a photo workshop up here. It’s a Utah gem; a quiet area where we will have the freedom to explore at our will without competing with other photo workshops or crowds of tourists. We get the place to ourselves, to go explore and have quiet moments in these enchanting forests to create our own, meaningful pieces of artwork.
As you’ll notice above, I have two workshops offered. One for those with limited mobility due to balance or physical challenges, and one for people with average fitness. This area lends itself to being a great workshop area for both groups. For those who are limited in their hiking capacities, this area is loaded with different regions where we can shoot from the vehicle, or accessed by very small easy walks. And for those who are moving around well, this will open up even more opportunities as we explore deeper into the forests.
Standing in these groves of aspens with the soft golden light showering onto the forest floor is like standing in a fairytale book. I love the photography, but I love the experience even more. Perfect temperatures, no crowds, and bottomless amounts of high quality photography to be had. I hope you can join for this photography workshop, I can’t wait to share my knowledge and passion for these special mountains that are responsible for the carving of Zion National Park’s deep canyons.
What’s Included
Lodging for the duration of the workshop
All transportation during the workshop (once it begins)
In-field photography guidance at every location
Individual instruction tailored to your skill level
Access to carefully scouted, off-the-radar locations
Small group environment for a more personal experience
What’s Not Included
Travel to and from the workshop starting location
Meals and personal snacks
Camera gear and personal equipment
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Any lodging before or after the workshop dates
Personal expenses or incidental costs
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival + Sunset Session
We’ll meet in the afternoon, get settled into lodging, and go over the plan for the next few days. After a quick gear check and introductions, we head straight out for our first shoot. This isn’t a warm-up—we start at a strong location and make the most of that first sunset together.
Day 2 — Full Day in the Field
We begin before sunrise, heading out in the dark to be in position as the landscape wakes up. After sunrise, we’ll continue shooting as the light shifts—working scenes, details, and refining compositions.
We’ll typically take a short midday break to rest, review images, and work through some photo editing—but if conditions are right, we stay out and keep shooting.
By afternoon, we’re moving into position for sunset, staying through golden hour and often into blue hour if the light calls for it. Throughout the day, you’ll get plenty of one-on-one guidance.
Day 3 — Full Day in the Field
Another full immersion day. We’ll again shoot from sunrise through sunset, adjusting locations and plans based on weather, light, and instinct.
By this point, things really start to click—you’ll be seeing compositions more intuitively, and we’ll build on that with more advanced guidance and refinement.
Day 4 — Final Sunrise + Departure
We head out early for one last sunrise session—often a favorite location or something we’ve been saving. Afterward, we’ll return to lodging, pack up, and wrap up the workshop by mid-morning.
