MONUMENT VALLEY
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
THE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP OF A LIFETIME
Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Monument Valley like few have ever witnessed
A Taste of What's In Store
We'll be photographing Monument Valley alongside local Navajo guides. Together, we’ll journey to classic locations like the North Window, Eye in the Sky, and John Ford Point as well as hidden gems off the beaten path. Your expert instructors will provide personalized, hands-on guidance throughout, transforming each location into a dynamic learning experience.
Most notably, we will be taken to the remote and spectacular Hunts Mesa, accessible only through our unique partnership with local Navajo guides. This exclusive access not only allows us to capture the breathtaking beauty of sunrise and sunset from this incredible location, but also offers the extraordinary experience of spending the night under the stars capturing the Milky Way. Additionally, this unique opportunity extends to spending time with and photographing the local Navajo people, offering a rare glimpse into their culture and adding an enriching, human dimension to your photographic journey.
Location
Monument Valley, Arizona
Tuition Cost
$3000
Dates
April 25-28th, 2025
Availability
Registration Limited to 12 Students
Fitness Level
Moderate: Must be able to walk up to 1 mile on uneven surfaces and around cliffs
What to Expect when you Register
What's Included
Personalized, hands-on guidance from our expert instructors in the midst of Monument Valley’s beauty. Our team is committed to providing you with continuous, on-site mentorship, ensuring a rich learning experience in every shot.
Double occupancy lodging
Breakfast, snacks and 1x Dinner during the workshop
All permits and park fees
Transportation during the workshop
Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides
An engaging and collaborative atmosphere, surrounded by fellow photography enthusiasts. This is more than just a workshop; it's a community where friendships are made.
Dive into advanced photographic techniques, including the art of long exposure, focus stacking to capture every detail, dynamic framing to elevate your compositions, mastering the use of natural light, and the narrative power of photographic storytelling. Our workshop is designed to expand your skill set and inspire your creative vision.
Not Included
Travel to and from Monument Valley, Arizona
Passport and Visa Fees (if applicable)
All lunches, and 2x Dinners during the workshop. Several food options are available onsite. Any meals or accommodations before or after the scheduled workshop dates are also not included
Alcoholic beverages
Travel, medical, and trip cancelation insurance (optional but recommended)
Items of a personal nature
Anything not specifically listed as included
Meet your Instructors
We're super excited to take our 32 years of experience and show you everything we've learned
Andrew Wille
Andrew Wille is an award-winning, Los Angeles based photographer and content creator best known for his urban, landscape and lifestyle photography. His striking style has led me to working with industry leading brands, and forming long term ambassadorships. He also has a passion for teaching, and has taught hundreds of photographers in both private/small group and large workshops throughout the years.
Kyle Meshna
Kyle Meshna is a photographer and videographer based in Salt Lake City, UT known for his landscape and adventure photography and educational videos. Kyle specializes in short-form educational content and has taught thousands of students how to improve their photography through short videos, illustrations, and in depth tutorials. He has also worked with brands such as Sony, Artlist, Hasselblad, Adobe, Nikon, PolarPro, Osprey, and many more.
Ryan Ditch
Ryan is a Seattle born, San Diego based landscape and commercial photographer. His style is a mix of urban and nature due to growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It’s highly likely you could pass him on a trail deep within a National Park and next week see him composing frames on the city streets of Los Angeles.
Cody Conk
Cody is a full time photographer and videographer based out of Utah who specializes in landscape, city, timelapse, and lifestyle content.
He believes that photography is a powerful tool for telling stories and bringing people together, and strives to use his images to inspire others to explore the world.
Cody also hosts workshops in beautiful destinations, and gives his students the tools to become more consistent in their work, whether in person or online.
Hear from Past Students
"Amazing Photography Trip"
"Meshna and Andrew Optics led an amazing photography trip to Iceland, blending their expertise with a fun, engaging approach. Their skillful guidance made learning new techniques enjoyable, and collaborating with fellow photographers was a highlight. I captured a lot of bangers and had a great time!"
- Jake Jackson
"Everything I wanted"
"This course has been everything I wanted and more. There's so much information packed in, and laid out extremely well. I'd highly recommend this course for anyone looking to improve their photography!" - Luke Ward
"Transformative Experience"
"Having a photography mentor has been a transformative experience for me. The guidance and insights provided by Cody have accelerated my growth in both technical and business aspects of my photography career. Cody provided great feedback on my photography and taught me new editing skills that have been integrated into my own personalized workflow. Cody’s positive and enthusiastic approach provided a great learning atmosphere and overall experience." - Joe Casias
What to Expect on the trip
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors
Itinerary
April 25, 2025: Meet at The View Hotel by 2:00 PM for check-in and orientation. Meet the crew, then head to a Sunset shoot, followed by dinner at The View Hotel.
April 26, 2025: Guided sunrise tour in the valley, followed by editing workshops during the day. We'll then have a sunset cultural photoshoot with local Navajo and horses in Monument Valley's best locations
April 27, 2025: Early departure with our guides to explore the backcountry regions of Monument Valley for sunrise & morning light.
April 27, 2025: Guided overnight trip to Hunts Mesa including sunset and sunrise. We'll be camping in high-end tents with TempurPedic mattress toppers and enjoying fresh cooked dinner and breakfast.
April 28, 2025: Transit back from Hunts Mesa to Monument Valley, where we will say our farewells.
Got questions?
We've got answers
Our mission is to provide you with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience at Monument Valley. We will be visiting locations few are able to visit, provide expert instruction in the field and in post processing, and we hope that you'll make some lifelong friends along the way.
When should I arrive?
Please prepare to arrive at Monument Valley no later than 2pm on April 25th, 2025.
How do I know if this is for me?
If you have a passion for photography, you're in the right place.
What gear should I bring
+Your camera
+A sturdy tripod
+The fastest (widest aperture) lens you have
+Any additional lenses you have (wide angle, medium range, and telephoto all work well in Monument Valley)
+Comfortable shoes with good grip
+Warm clothes! It gets very cold at night in the desert.
+Any other personal items or medications you will need during the trip.
+We will also have a limited number of additional tripods, Sony lenses, and star trackers for students to share!
Do I need a DSLR or Mirrorless camera?
We do highly recommend that you have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. This is a photography workshop after all...
Are meals provided during the workshop?
Breakfast and light snacks will be included each day. Breakfast and Dinner will also be provided while out on Hunt's Mesa. We will have opportunities to purchase lunch and dinner in support of local Navajo businesses.
What happens in the case of bad weather?
While we hope that the weather will cooperate, there is never a guarantee. We will be monitoring the weather throughout the trip and adjusting plans to make the best out of what we are given!
We have scheduled the workshop for the best chances at seeing the Milky Way with no light pollution from the moon, but we cannot guarantee clear skies at night.
What are the accommodations?
Two nights we will be in double occupancy rooms within the Monument Valley park. One additional night will be spent camping in luxury yurts out on Hunt's Mesa.
What are accommodations on Hunt's Mesa?
We will be sleeping in large 10X14 canvas tents, two people per tent. Everyone will be provided with HEST Sleep System, air mattress with a TempurPedic Top, and Teton canvas sleeping bags. For dinner we will enjoy steak or chicken over a cedar wood fire, corn and potatoes cooked under the coals, bread, and Navajo tea and coffee. For breakfast we will have egg, vegetable and sausage omelets, along with fruits, granola, coffee and Navajo Tea.
What is the Cancelation Policy?
50% of your purchase is refundable up to February 20th, 2025. The purchase is fully non-refundable on March 15th, 2025
What fitness level is required?
There will be very minimal hiking involved, as most locations are within a few minutes walk of the car. There are a few optional rock-scrambles. Note: Our guides will be driving us on very bumpy unpaved roads, so we recommend that those with motion sickness or a history of back pain be prepared accordingly.
