February 18th - 21st, 2027
There is a brief window during the winter months when the full moon rises and sets directly over the Grand Canyon—an alignment that simply doesn’t happen during the rest of the year. This workshop is built around that moment.
Over four winter days on the South Rim, we’ll photograph moonrise, moonset, and the subtle transitions of light that only winter reveals. With fewer visitors, shorter days, and the possibility of snow transforming the canyon, this is a rare and deeply immersive photographic experience.
What Makes This Workshop Unique
Cold air, low-angle light, and long shadows give the canyon a completely different presence. If conditions allow, snow may transform the rim and upper canyon into a quiet, dramatic landscape. While winter weather is never guaranteed, it often creates some of the most compelling photographic opportunities of the season.
Winter brings solitude. With far fewer visitors, we can move deliberately, return to locations as light changes, and remain fully present without the pressure of crowds or tight timelines.
Instruction is inclusive and tailored to each participant. With a small group and an experienced professional guide with intimate local knowledge handling logistics and safety, the focus stays on creative growth, connection to the landscape, and the experience itself.
Who Is This Workshop For?
This workshop is designed for photographers of all experience levels who want to deepen their connection to the Grand Canyon and their craft.
You don’t need to be an expert—but you should be comfortable working outdoors in cold conditions and open to flexibility. Winter photography here is about patience, presence, and responding to what nature gives us.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1 - Thursday, February 18
We begin with a meet-and-greet at Red Feather Lodge at 2:00 pm. Afterward, we will caravan into the park for the first photography session. I will cover how to configure your camera for landscape photography to maximize image quality. I will also introduce you to my image-capture workflow, which I use to achieve consistent focus and exposure.
Day 2 - Friday, February 19th
The day begins early, so we can be set up and ready to photograph your first sunrise over the canyon. We will begin with wide-angle compositions, using long exposures to soak up the light and color of the blue hour. As the sun rises, we will switch to longer lenses to capture the many layers of ridges in the canyon. After the sunrise session, we will return to Red Feather Lodge for breakfast, followed by a Lightroom demonstration. I will go over my approach to image editing, focusing on technical mastery and emotional appeal. In the afternoon, we will caravan back into the park and stop to photograph from several viewpoints along the canyon rim. We will finish today's session by photographing the moon as it rises near Vishnu Temple.
Day 3 - Saturday, February 20th
The day begins very early, so we can be set up and ready to photograph the full moon in the warm glow of the first light of the day as it sets over the western canyon. The planned location will make for a fantastic panoramic. After the sunrise session, we will return to Red Feather Lodge for breakfast, followed by a Lightroom demonstration. I will go over merging images for a panoramic stitch, including which projection methods to use. Time permitting, I will also demonstrate how to assemble a focus-bracketed image sequence using Helicon Focus Pro to create a focus-stacked image. In the afternoon, we will caravan back into the park and stop to photograph from several viewpoints along the canyon rim. We will finish today's session by photographing the moon as it rises near Vishnu Temple.
Day 4 - Sunday, February 21st
Final sunrise, and we'll plan to photograph the full moon setting. After sunrise, we will return to Red Feather Lodge for breakfast and a workshop review. I'll be available throughout the morning to answer any follow-up questions about the topics covered during the workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Do I need to be an experienced photographer?: No. Participants range from iPhone users to professional photographers. Instruction is flexible and personalized, with no pressure to perform or keep up.
• Can friends or family members join the trip?: Yes. One friend or family member is welcome to tag along and often finds the experience especially rewarding.
• Is lodging included?: Yes. Private, single-occupancy lodging is included at Red Feather Lodge, located 1 mile from the park entrance. Your room includes wifi, a television, a microwave, and a refrigerator.
• What's not included?: Meals, transportation, and entrance fees into Grand Canyon National Park are not provided.
• Will I need to stand on the edge to get a good photo?: No, you won't need to stand on the edge of the canyon to make a good photo.
Have more questions? You can find detailed answers on the full FAQ page, or feel free to reach out anytime.
Gear Recommendations
• Lenses: It is recommended that you bring a selection of lenses, including a wide-angle zoom (14-24mm or 16-35mm), a mid-range zoom (24-105mm or 24-120mm), and a telephoto zoom (70-300mm or 100-400mm). Be sure to take a look at my Grand Canyon Photography Gear Guide for a more in-depth look at recommended gear. Please remember, you’re never expected to carry excessive or specialized equipment unless you choose to.
• Ice Traction for your Boots: It’s common to have snow and ice on the rim trail and at the overlooks. I recommend using ice traction devices, sometimes known as “crampons,” for your boots. My preferred type is the Kahtoola EXOspikes.
• Winter Clothing and Dressing in Layers: It’s important to come prepared with the right clothing. REI has a wonderful page dedicated to learning How to Layers Clothes for a Winter Environment.
• Your Vehicle: Winter conditions at the Grand Canyon can change quickly. Snow, ice, and slick roads in the early morning are common in February. An AWD or 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for this workshop. These vehicles provide significantly better traction and peace of mind if winter weather moves in overnight or road conditions deteriorate.
Road closures or temporary restrictions can occur during snow events, and vehicle choice can make the difference between flexibility and limitation. Planning ahead with an appropriate vehicle allows us to stay focused on photography rather than logistics. Participants arriving in 2WD vehicles may experience limitations during winter conditions.
What You Will Learn
The Grand Canyon is an excellent environment to learn photography techniques. During this workshop, you will learn:
Foundational Skills
• Setting up your camera menu properly for landscape photography
• Proper exposure control to get the most from your raw file
• Managing focus and depth-of-field to achieve even sharpness from foreground to background
• Establishing a workflow for efficiency in quickly changing conditions
Intermediate Skills
• Artistic landscape composition styles and techniques
• Creating dramatic compositions with strong foreground elements
• Telephoto compositions working with layers in the landscape
• Weather and light interpretation
Advanced Challenges
• Exposure bracketing for managing challenging light
• Focus bracketing with your camera to expand your creative compositional possibilities
• Creating high-megapixel panoramas using panoramic-stitching techniques
Workshop Details
• The cost for this workshop is $1,800.00
• A $900.00 deposit is required to reserve a spot
• The final payment is due 90 days before the workshop
• Private (single occupancy) rooms are included for no additional charge
• Small group limited to 7 participants
• Post-processing instruction in Lightroom Classic, DxO PureRaw, and Helicon Focus
• Personalized feedback and guidance in the field and in the classroom
Sign Me Up!
This workshop is about more than photographs. Experiencing the Grand Canyon in winter reveals a quieter landscape—one shaped by cold air, long shadows, graceful light, and shadow sliding across stone. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the canyon at its most contemplative, this is that moment.
If this workshop resonates with you, I’d love to have you along.