ABOUT THE HANKSVILLE, UTAH PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
An Intensive Fine Art Journey Through the Desert Southwest.
Step into the heart of Utah's remote and mesmerizing desert landscapes—where erosion has carved a world of intricate textures, graceful curves, and surreal formations unlike anywhere else. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to photograph some of the Southwest's most stunning and lesser-known locations, including Factory Butte, Moonscape Overlook, Long Dong Silver, Bentonite Hills, and more hidden treasures only accessible with local knowledge and creative vision.
This immersive fine art photography workshop goes beyond capturing beautiful moments. It's a deep dive into refining your creative process, learning to read light and land, and developing the skills to make images that resonate on a personal level. Through repeated visits to key locations, you'll have time to explore evolving light, discover fresh compositions, and grow your confidence in the field.
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
SCULPTED BY LIGHT
Utah's desert offers a painterly palette of soft pastels, deep shadows, and radiant highlights. From the subtle dawn tones at Moonscape Overlook to the vivid color contrasts of the Bentonite Hills, you'll learn to harness shifting light to bring out the most compelling aspects of the landscape.
SEE THE LAND DIFFERENTLY
This workshop is built around discovering visual flow—how lines, shapes, and textures guide the eye through a composition. You'll study erosion patterns, natural leading lines, and tonal relationships that transform simple scenes into powerful photographs.
NIGHT SKY MAGIC
On one evening, we'll turn our attention skyward to photograph the Milky Way above the desert. You'll learn how to capture foregrounds at dusk and blend them with night sky exposures—creating striking composites that balance technical skill with artistic intention.
FOCUSED, PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION
Andy will work side-by-side with you in the field and in post-processing sessions to help you improve your technique. Whether you're perfecting exposure bracketing, refining panoramic compositions, or exploring subtle tonal adjustments, you'll receive the hands-on guidance needed to grow.
OPTIONAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY
While we don't provide instruction in drone use, participants are welcome to bring drones. The wide-open desert terrain around Hanksville is ideal for capturing aerial perspectives. We simply ask that drones be launched and landed away from others, and used in accordance with FAA and local regulations.
IDEAL SEASONAL TIMING
April brings an ideal blend of comfortable temperatures, low crowds, and exceptional light to the Hanksville region. Spring skies often feature dynamic cloud formations, adding depth and drama to sunrises, sunsets, and even mid-day conditions. Unlike late summer and fall, spring is typically free of wildfire smoke, which means crystal-clear night skies—perfect for Milky Way photography. This season offers the full range of dramatic skies and soft, subtle light, while also highlighting the desert's muted color palette and revealing its intricate geological formations at their finest.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY & SCHEDULE
DAY 1, SUNDAY, April 19, 2026:
7:00 PM WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: Gather with fellow photographers at the hotel picnic tables for an informal meet-and-greet. We'll kick things off with a warm welcome, share an overview of the exciting days ahead, and have time for questions. It's the perfect way to ease in, connect, and get inspired for the adventures to come.
INSTRUCTOR LODGING: Upon registration, we'll provide you with all the necessary hotel details for a smooth arrival. We'll be staying at a comfortable local hotel in Hanksville, an up-and-coming tourist town with a craft coffee shop and a couple of fun, charming local restaurants.
Check-in: Sunday, April 19th, 2026.
Check-out: Friday, April 24th, 2026.
DAYS 2-5, MONDAY-THURSDAY, April 20-23, 2026:
PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS: Each day, a new adventure begins as we journey through Utah's awe-inspiring desert. You'll capture sweeping vistas, dramatic light, and intimate landscapes—moments both bold and subtle. With expert guidance in the field, you'll build the skills and confidence to create images that reflect the raw, wild beauty of this unforgettable region.
FINAL SUNSET SESSION - Thursday, April 23, 2026
WHAT TO EXPECT
MORNING SHOOTS: Each day begins before sunrise, arriving at carefully chosen locations in time for the magical transition from blue hour to golden light. You'll have time to slow down, explore foregrounds, and fine-tune compositions as the light evolves. Expect dramatic textures, soft pastels, and expansive views—all captured under some of the best lighting conditions the desert has to offer.
MIDDAY SESSIONS: Following a rewarding morning in the field, we'll return indoors for post-processing sessions and image reviews. You'll get direct feedback on your images and learn key editing techniques such as exposure blending, color refinement, and working with tonal contrast. Bring your laptop with Photoshop installed so you can follow along and enhance your work in real time.
EVENING EXPLORATION: As golden hour returns, we'll head back into the field—sometimes revisiting the same location to see it in new light, other times exploring entirely new terrain. With a variety of bold and subtle compositions to discover, each outing offers a chance to deepen your connection to the land and refine your photographic voice. One evening will be dedicated to photographing the Milky Way beneath Hanksville's exceptionally dark skies. Depending on conditions and group energy, we may adjust the schedule to allow for rest—possibly scaling back or skipping the evening shoot before or the morning shoot after our night sky session.
Join us in the breathtaking desert near Hanksville, Utah, for a one-of-a-kind workshop experience. You'll leave with unforgettable memories, sharpened skills, and a portfolio of fine art images that reflect the raw beauty of the American Southwest.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION / DEPOSIT $300 USD
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WORKSHOP DETAILS
EXPERIENCE LEVELS: Beginner to Advanced
Whether you're an experienced photographer looking to push your creative boundaries, or a passionate beginner eager to build a strong foundation, this workshop offers something meaningful. It's equally well-suited for photographers who thrive on exploration, and for those who find inspiration in quiet moments and intentional pacing.
GROUP SIZE: 8
To ensure a personalized and engaging learning environment, our target number of participants is 8. This small group size allows Andy to provide focused, individualized instruction and helps foster a collaborative, supportive group dynamic.
EFFORT LEVEL: Light to Moderate
Most locations are close to the road with short approaches, though participants should be prepared for walking on uneven desert terrain, including soft clay soil, loose rock, and small hills. There are no long hikes, but sure footing and basic mobility are important for safely navigating the rugged, open landscape. One possible location involves a mostly level walk of approximately one mile each way.
CONDITIONS: Be Ready for Sun, Wind, and Sudden Weather Changes
Expect wide temperature swings and variable conditions. Mornings and evenings can be quite cool, while mid-day sun can be intense—especially with little shade available. Wind is common in open desert locations like Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte, and rain (though rare) can turn Bentonite terrain slippery. Warm layers, sun protection, and a good windbreaker are recommended.
ELEVATION: 4,300—6,000 Feet
Photography locations in this region range in elevation, with most between 4,500 and 5,500 feet. While this isn't extreme altitude, it's still important to stay well-hydrated and take it easy if you're not acclimated. We'll pace our sessions with plenty of breaks and flexibility.
GETTING TO THE WORKSHOP
AIR TRAVEL: Nearby airports are Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
DRIVING TIME:
Grand Junction, CO to Hanksville, UT: Approximately 2.5 hours.
Salt Lake City to Hanksville, UT: Approximately 4 hours.
DRIVING CONDITIONS: Workshop locations are reached via a combination of paved highways and graded dirt roads. Most sites can be accessed without 4WD, but due to the nature of the terrain—especially near Bentonite Hills and Moonscape Overlook—a high-clearance SUV is highly recommended. In wet conditions, some areas may become muddy or impassable, particularly in the Bentonite region, where even light rain can make the clay soil very slick.
We strongly encourage participants to rent or bring an SUV for maximum flexibility and safety.
Whenever possible, during the workshop, we encourage participants to carpool to minimize our impact and foster camaraderie among attendees.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
LENS RANGE: For the best results in the varied desert terrain around Hanksville, we recommend a lens range of at least 24mm to 400mm (full-frame equivalent). Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing expansive views at places like Moonscape Overlook and the Bentonite Hills, while telephoto lenses are invaluable for isolating distant ridgelines, erosion patterns, and compressing the vast, layered landscape.
POLARIZING FILTER: A polarizer can be helpful, but use it carefully. In many locations, particularly when photographing subtle tones and clay textures where there might be less non-metallic glare to reduce, a polarizer may have limited effect or may even diminish natural surface reflections that enhance the scene. If you use one, we recommend experimenting and reviewing results in the field to determine its benefit in each scene.
FOOTWEAR: The terrain in this region is dry, open, and often rugged—expect gritty clay soil, small rocks, and occasional uneven footing. We recommend sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots to protect your feet and ankles and to keep dust and debris out. Traction is especially important when exploring soft or slippery Bentonite hills after any moisture.
