Join us on a Southwest photography tour and workshop exploring some of the region’s most photogenic destinations, including Sedona, Page, Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, and other spectacular locations. Photograph dramatic desert landscapes, colorful rock formations, and beautiful fall color as we travel through the Southwest.

SEDONA
Sedona is known for its red sandstone formations, including Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. We’ll photograph the red rocks in the warm morning and evening light, along with sweeping desert views and fall color along Oak Creek. The combination of dramatic rock formations, colorful foliage, and high desert scenery offers a wonderful variety of landscape photography.

PAGE
We will be visiting some incredible sites in and around Page, including Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Toadstools, and Little Cut. Each location offers a unique blend of geological wonders, from the slot canyons to the surreal landscapes of hoodoos and mushroom-shaped rocks.

BALLOON FESTIVAL (PAGE)
Our tour coincides with the Page Balloon Regatta, when dozens of colorful hot air balloons rise above the desert and Lake Powell. We’ll photograph the morning launches, with the red rock landscape creating a beautiful backdrop for the balloons. It’s a fun and colorful addition to our Arizona itinerary.

GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE (UTAH)
Grand Staircase-Escalante features a vast landscape of sculpted sandstone, colorful cliffs, canyons, and rugged desert scenery. Expansive views, unique rock formations, and intricate geological details offer a wide variety of subjects to photograph in one of southern Utah’s most striking landscapes.

MONUMENT VALLEY
Monument Valley is one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American Southwest, known for its towering red sandstone buttes, mesas, and sweeping desert views. We’ll photograph classic locations such as the Mittens and Merrick Butte in the best morning and evening light. A Navajo guide with photography experience will also take us beyond the main viewpoints to lesser-visited locations throughout the valley, giving us access to compositions and perspectives most visitors never see.

VALLEY OF THE GODS (UTAH)
Valley of the Gods is a remote desert landscape of sandstone buttes, mesas, and wide-open views in southeastern Utah. Often compared to nearby Monument Valley, it has its own distinctive formations and a more rugged, undeveloped setting. We’ll photograph the changing light across the red rock formations and surrounding desert, with plenty of opportunities for both grand landscapes and smaller details.

WHEN
October 30 - November 5, 2028

GETTING THERE
Phoenix International Airport - Arizona (PHX)

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

ITINERARY
We believe in capturing the best light during our workshops, which include sunrise and sunset shoots (weather permitting). Early morning and late afternoon have the best lighting for photography. Early morning has some other advantages as well, such as less traffic and fewer crowds. The schedule will be flexible to maximize these conditions. Most days we will have a midday break.

Day 1
We’ll meet at our recommended hotel near the Phoenix airport at 10:30 am for a brief group meeting and introductions. From there, we’ll travel to Sedona and check into our hotel before heading out for our first sunset photography session. We’ll finish the evening with dinner as a group.

Days 2–6
Over the next several days, we’ll photograph some of the Southwest’s most distinctive landscapes, including Sedona, Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Page, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante region. Our photography will include red rock formations, sandstone buttes, slot canyons, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, arches, petroglyphs, and expansive desert scenery.

We’ll plan our photography around the best available light and conditions, with early morning and late afternoon sessions whenever possible. While in Page, we’ll also photograph the Page Balloon Festival, where colorful hot air balloons rise against the surrounding desert landscape.

Day 7
We’ll head out for one final sunrise photography session before returning to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. We’ll then begin our drive back to Phoenix, stopping for lunch along the way. We plan to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at approximately 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 will involve some short hikes, which may have slippery or uneven terrain. The hikes are relatively flat and easy and can be up to 3-4 miles round trip.

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

• Some locations on our itinerary require travel over uneven, bumpy dirt roads. While we do our best to minimize discomfort, these stretches can be jarring, especially for guests with back issues, recent surgeries, or other health sensitivities. If you’re concerned about how this may affect your experience, please reach out before booking.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Six nights’ lodging (double occupancy). If you prefer your own private room (single occupancy). It is an additional $349. Please select the Single Room option in the shopping cart if you want your own room.

• Transportation from Phoenix to Sedona, Page, Monument Valley, and back

• All gate fees and permits, including a Navajo guide and admission to slot canyons

• 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. We will customize the class to cover the wishes of our small group.

• Navajo Guides (Required for Monument Valley) including tips

NOT INCLUDED

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

• Air travel is not included.

COST
$5995 per person

Deposit: $2000 per person (this reserves your spot)
Balance: $3995 (due six months before tour begins)
Single Room Upgrade: $349 (this will give you a private room)

If it’s easier, you can split your remaining balance into multiple payments

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

Cancellation Policy:

We will help you create beautiful images and teach you the skills and techniques you can use to take your photography to the next level. When the tour is over, you will have a solid understanding of nature photography and your camera.

TOUR GUIDES
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.

Jenny Bowlden (co-leader)
Based in Tucson, Arizona, Jenny Bowlden is a nature photographer with extensive experience photographing birds and wildlife in the Southwest. She has traveled widely, teaching photography and capturing landscapes and wildlife across North America. Jenny brings a strong background in both field photography and guiding, and she looks forward to helping participants connect with the Southwest’s remarkable landscapes while improving their photography skills.

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