Join us for a photography-focused tour through the red rock landscapes of Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands, along with several other standout locations in the Southwest. This trip is designed to help you make the most of your time in the field, with guidance on composition, light, and timing so you can come away with stronger images, not just a checklist of locations.

Based in Moab, we’ll photograph a range of landscapes, from the iconic arches and sweeping canyon views to lesser-known spots that offer different perspectives and fewer crowds. We’ll also visit Dead Horse Point State Park and Goblin Valley, each adding its own character to the trip. Fall color can be especially nice along the Colorado River this time of year, and we’ll take advantage of those conditions.

We’ll plan our days around the best light, working sunrise and sunset at key locations and heading out after dark for one or two nights of Milky Way photography. With a small group and hands-on instruction throughout, you’ll have time to slow down, refine your approach, and get the most out of each location.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, Arches offers endless opportunities to work with shape, light, and scale. We’ll focus on strong compositions while navigating some of the park’s busiest locations more efficiently.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Canyonlands is all about space and depth, with vast views of canyons, mesas, and the Colorado River below. This is a great place to work on layering, leading lines, and simplifying big scenes.

DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK
Perched high above the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point provides sweeping overlooks and dramatic curves in the landscape, especially at sunrise and sunset.

GOBLIN VALLEY
Known for its unusual rock formations, Goblin Valley offers a completely different shooting experience, with opportunities to explore patterns, textures, and more creative compositions.

WHEN
November 2-7, 2026 (2 spaces left)

GETTING THERE
Salt Lake City International Airport - Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)

GROUP SIZE
Our group size is limited to eight people with two leaders. That is a 4-to-1 participant-to-leader ratio, which provides more one-on-one instruction.

ITINERARY
We plan each day around the best available light, focusing on sunrise and sunset when conditions are most favorable for photography. Early mornings often bring calmer winds, fewer crowds, and softer light, all of which help create stronger images. Our schedule remains flexible so we can adapt to weather and conditions. Most days include a mid-day break to rest, review images, or explore on your own.

Day 1: We’ll meet at the recommended hotel near the Salt Lake City airport at 9:30 am for a brief introduction before driving to Moab. After check-in, we’ll head out for our first afternoon shoot, followed by a group dinner.

Days 2–5: We’ll photograph a variety of locations throughout the Moab area, including Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, Goblin Valley, and a few additional spots that offer different perspectives. Each day is structured around sunrise and sunset sessions, with time in between to rest or review techniques and images.

Day 6: We’ll wrap up with a final sunrise session before returning to the hotel for check-out. From there, we’ll drive back to Salt Lake City, with an expected airport drop-off around 4:00 pm.

SKILL & FITNESS LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Anyone with an interest in photography, from beginner to professional.

• The participants should have a love of nature and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting.

• This trip may involve some short hikes from 1 to 3 miles round trip, which may have slippery or uneven terrain. We have two leaders, so we can customize plans for different fitness levels.

• Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Five nights’ lodging (double occupancy) at a three-star, highly rated hotel. If you prefer your own private room (single occupancy), it is an additional $350. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart if you want your own room.

• Transportation from Salt Lake City to Moab and back

• All gate fees and permits

• Professional photography instruction

• This trip is planned to maximize time outdoors photographing. We may have classroom time to discuss photography, post-processing, or provide photo critiques. I will customize the class to cover the wishes of our small group.

NOT INCLUDED

• Food and drinks. We will visit various restaurants in Moab. Each participant will be responsible for their own food tab.

• Air travel is not included.

COST
$4795 per person
Deposit: $1000 per person (this reserves your spot)
Balance: $3795 (due six months before tour begins)
Single Room Upgrade: $350 (this will give you a private room)

PAYMENTS
Payments can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit card payments on our website.

Cancellation Policy:

John Slonina (leader)
John Slonina is a professional nature photographer with more than 35 years of experience. His passion for the natural world is reflected in both his photography and teaching. During the workshop, he will share not only photography techniques but also insights into the natural world. This deeper understanding enhances your appreciation of nature and helps you grow as a photographer.

We hope you can join us! If you have any questions, please contact us.