2026 Winter Photography Workshop
“The Wave”, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park
February 9 - 12, 2026 (Limited to 4 participants)
PRICE: $1,750 per participant
RESERVING YOUR SPOT: Send an email to me at info@zion-photography.com with your interest in joining or submit your interest in the form at the bottom of this page. At that point I will send over a questionnaire, will build your reservation in the calendar and will send you an invoice. A deposit of $750 is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the workshop.
Winter in the Southwest: A Photography Journey to The Wave, Zion & Bryce
There’s a quiet power in the desert in winter—the light is softer, the air more crisp, and the landscapes reveal moods that vanish the rest of the year. Join me, local photographer Seth Hamel, for a 4-day photography workshop while leading you through Southwestern Utah, where each sunrise and sunset highlights the region’s beauty.
Our main goal is The Wave, that flowing, otherworldly sandstone formation that photographers dream about. By planning this workshop on mid-winter weekdays, we give ourselves the best odds at securing permits, turning what is normally a shot in the dark into a real possibility. With that being said, there is a chance that we may not get a permit. These permits are highly in demand, but as stated above, these are our best odds. Each day, we will enter the boundaries necessary to apply for permits, after-which we will head out for photography in Zion, Bryce or their surrounding landscapes based on conditions.
Between our Wave pursuits, we’ll chase the moods of Zion and Bryce. Bryce National Park sits at 8,000 feet, so any storms that come through come in the form of snow. Photographing the glowing orange hoodoos of Bryce with a fresh coating of snow is as good as it gets. If we get weather in Zion, the peaks always get snow, and if we are lucky, we’ll get it down on the valley floors as well. If it comes in the form of rain, this works great for photography in Zion Canyon, with fog weaving through red cliffs, as it showcases some the canyons most dramatic moods.
Experience the Southwest in a season of stillness, capture its winter landscapes, and take home photos that speak of its hidden wonders, all while we enjoy this region with the fewest visitors it experiences all year.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS WORKSHOP: This workshop involves daily hikes and photography in rugged desert terrain, including walking to The Wave and exploring trails in Zion and Bryce Canyon. Participants should be able to:
Hike 2–4 miles at a time on uneven, sandy, or rocky trails.
Carry a daypack with camera gear, water, and snacks (lightweight hiking backpacks recommended).
Manage desert winter conditions, including cold mornings, possible snow, and icy or muddy patches.
Be comfortable moving at a steady, moderate pace for several hours.
We will not be doing these lengths of hikes everyday. This is mainly for our day to the wave. But outside of The Wave we will be doing easy to moderate hiking each day of the workshop.
While the hikes are not technical climbs, participants should have reasonable balance, stamina and mobility. The experience is designed for photographers of all levels, but some walking and standing for extended periods is required to access the best locations and light.
✅ Included:
Expert instruction throughout the 4-day workshop
Transportation between photography locations during the workshop
Guidance on post-production and editing of your images
❌ Not Included:
Lodging/accommodations
Meals
Flights to and from the workshop location
Airport pickup or other transportation to the meeting point
ITINERARY: For this workshop, we will NOT book lodging in advance, with the exception of our first day where we will meet in the Kanab, Utah that morning, so you’ll want to arrange something there. Outside of that, we will wait until the “day of” to make decisions on where we will lodge for the night. Taking this approach is imperative to getting to the best locations, with the best given conditions. Do not worry, lodging opportunities are limitless during this date range, and are as inexpensive as rooms get around here due to it being the off season. Each day we will focus on photographing sunrise and sunsets, along with chasing what is available throughout the day. As mentioned above, our itinerary will end up floating around what ends up happening with our pursuits to get a permit to hike The Wave. If and when we obtain that permit, the permit is for the NEXT DAY. If by chance we’re having an extremely dry winter and we don’t have snow to work with, that will give us opportunities to go to areas that feel too hot, even during the Spring and Fall months. There is never a lack of photography potential here in Southwestern Utah.
QUESTIONS OR READY TO REGISTER? PLEASE USE THE FORM BELOW.
