Monument Valley 2025

Location: Monument Valley, Arizona

Dates: May 28-June 1, 2025 – SOLD OUT

Cost: $4310 double occupancy, $700 single supplement

Details: Join Tom and Cree in one of the most spectacular and sacred places in the Desert Southwest, Monument Valley. We will explore landscapes and portraits in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Temperatures in May are mild and the best time of year for favorable star photography over the Monuments.

Tom has been offering workshops in Monument Valley for over 15 years. For the upcoming workshop we will be using Carl Phillips, the son of Tom’s original Navajo guide, Tom Phillips. Carl will take us to remote places in the valley to get the best angles and unique perspectives on the landscape. We will photograph iconic vistas like the Mittens, the Totem, Hunt’s Mesa Vista and journey into the lesser know Mystery Valley.

We will also be working with a local Navajo model to create portraits in natural and artificial light with stunning surroundings. If people photography is new to you, we will walk you through all of the steps to create inspiring images.

What you will learn:

• Landscape Photography techniques
• Night photography of the Milky Way
• Portrait photography in natural and artificial light
• Filter Use
• Lightroom and PhotoShop Tips
• Morning and evening photo sessions with classroom topics midday

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Hotel: We will be staying at Gouldings Lodge in their private villas. Each room has a kitchenette, a queen bed in the main room and a queen bed in a separate bedroom. Lodging in Monument Valley is expensive and always sells out, so we decided to include it in the price of the workshop. If you want your own villa, there is a $700 single supplement.

Closest Airport: Monument Valley is very remote. You can get there by flying into several towns and driving a few hours. The towns include: Page, Arizona (124 miles), Flagstaff (174 miles), Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico (320 miles). It is a great location to extend a few days and photograph other scenic spots in the area.

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Recommended camera gear:

• Camera body
• Lenses ranging from wide angle 24mm to 300mm
• Astral lens like a 14-24 at 2.8
• Macro lens or extension tube (optional)
• Tripod
• Polarizing filter
• Laptop for editing and critique

Included in the fee:

• Lodging at Gouldings
• Location and permit fees
• Hot breakfasts to order
• Welcome dinner and final dinner at Gouldings
• Driving in Suburbans while in the tribal park
• Pre-trip meeting on Zoom
• Copy of Tom’s ebook Create Better Photographs

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Students will provide their own:

• Transportation to Monument Valley and when not in the Tribal Park
• All lunches, snacks
• Park entrance fee

Know Before You Go: Moderate This workshop requires walking up to a half mile on uneven terrain and slick rock. Off road driving in Suburbans can be hard on people with back and neck pain.