July 25th to 28th, 2026
Capture Epic Grand Canyon Skies: Monsoon Storms Photography Workshop. Learn hands-on techniques for dramatic weather and lightning with world-class instructors.
Early Registration is Open Now ~ $3,300.00 with Private Lodging
This workshop focuses on improving your landscape photography skills and making great photographs of the Grand Canyon. In addition to photographing the summer storms, we will also be capturing the night sky over the canyon! The monsoon season is a great time to capture the canyon with stormy skies and dramatic light.
Small Group Size
This workshop is limited to eight participants, so we can photograph from areas that aren't spacious enough to accommodate large groups and give each of you more one-on-one instruction.
Photography Locations
We will photograph from a variety of locations throughout the park. Because monsoon weather and light are inherently unpredictable, it’s impossible to guarantee that we will stop at specific viewpoints or capture lightning or rainbows. Our approach is to remain flexible and responsive to changing conditions. While we may head out with a particular scene in mind, we’ll be prepared to adjust as the light and weather evolve, focusing on the strongest opportunities as they reveal themselves.
Itinerary
Day 1
We begin with a meet-and-greet at Red Feather Lodge at 3:00 pm. Afterward, we will caravan into the park for the first photography session.
Days 2 and 3
These days begin very early so that we can be set up and ready to photograph the first light of the day. After sunrise, we will drive back to the lodge.
You will have an opportunity to grab breakfast before we reconvene for a mid-day Lightroom session during which Adam and Sean will demonstrate various techniques and styles of photo editing. Afterward, you will have an opportunity to rest so that you and your camera batteries can recharge and be ready to take advantage of the late light.
We will caravan back into the park mid-afternoon and make stops to photograph from several viewpoints on the canyon's rim.
Day 4
On the last day of the workshop, we will start early again. After sunrise, we will return to Red Feather Lodge for breakfast and a workshop review, during which we will be available to answer any follow-up questions about the topics covered during the workshop.
Lightning Triggers
Lightning triggers will be provided on loan to all workshop participants. After you sign up for the workshop, we will coordinate with you to ensure we have the proper cable to connect the lightning trigger to your camera.
Our trigger of choice is the Lightning Bug Plus by MK Controls. This trigger mounts to your camera's hotshoe and connects via a modified remote-release cable. I've owned four different lightning triggers, and while the Lightning Bug Plus can't catch every lightning bolt, I've been more productive with it than I have with all of the others combined. I consider it essential gear, and you must have it if you wish to photograph lightning.
Your Instructors
Adam Schallau is a photographer, speaker, and workshop instructor. He is passionate about the American landscape, especially the Southwest, including the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. His work has been licensed by Apple, the National Audubon Society, the National Park Service, Patagonia, and many others. He is a contributor to many books and magazines, including National Geographic, Arizona Highways, Cowboys & Indians, New Mexico Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler. Adam has published three books about the Grand Canyon: Chasing the Light: Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon: Earth and Sky, and North Rim: Wild and Enduring. His work was also used for the cover of Grand Canyon National Park: 100 Views, a book celebrating the park's centennial.
Adam has spent nearly 20 years photographing the Grand Canyon from the rim to the river, averaging 80 days a year in the park. He was an Artist-in-Residence for Grand Canyon National Park. In 2017, Adam was recognized as the Photographer of the Year by the International Regional Magazine Association for his Grand Canyon work in Arizona Highways. Fine art prints of his work have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, including the Grand Canyon National Park Museum Collection.
Sean Parker is an award-winning fine art, landscape, and astrophotographer known for capturing the breathtaking beauty of the night sky and a dedicated educator, hosting workshops and guiding photographers in capturing the magic of the night sky. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Sean specializes in high-quality time-lapse photography, celestial landscapes, and stunning imagery of the Milky Way, storms, and deep space phenomena. His passion for blending science and art has led him to work with major brands, scientific institutions, and tourism boards, helping to showcase the wonders of the natural world through his lens.
With a keen eye for composition and an expert understanding of astrophotography techniques, Sean’s work has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Arizona Highways, and NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). His time-lapse films and photographs have also been licensed by leading networks, including the Annapurna Films, BBC, Discovery Channel, and The Weather Channel.
Lodging is Included
This workshop includes private lodging at Red Feather Lodge, just 1 mile from the South Rim entrance. The lodge offers Wi-Fi, a microwave, and a refrigerator in every room.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Is this workshop right for me? Yes! We routinely work with photographers of all experience levels, from beginner to advanced, and we tailor our instruction to your level.
• What's not included? Meals, transportation, and entrance fees into Grand Canyon National Park are not provided.
• Who drives? You drive your own vehicle, or you are welcome to ride with others. It is common for workshop participants to share in the driving duties. We will caravan together to our photography locations.
• Will I need to stand on the edge to get a good photo? No, you won't need to stand on the edge of the canyon to make a good photo.
• What happens if there aren't any storms? The Grand Canyon is a world-class photography location, and there is always a photograph waiting to be made. We will adapt to weather changes and teach you to adapt to the atmospheric and lighting conditions nature provides.
• What lenses should I bring? It is recommended that you bring a selection of lenses, including a fast wide-angle zoom (f/2.8) for landscapes and night skies, a mid-range zoom, such as a 24-105mm or 24-120mm, and a telephoto zoom, such as a 70-300mm or 100-400mm lens. Be sure to take a look at the Grand Canyon Photography Gear Guide for more recommendations.
• Should I bring my laptop? Yes, it is recommended that you bring your laptop if you wish to participate in the midday editing sessions.
What You Will Learn
The Grand Canyon is an excellent environment to learn photography techniques. During this workshop, you will learn:
Foundational Skills
- Setting up your camera menu properly for landscape photography
- Proper exposure control to get the most from your raw file
- Managing focus and depth-of-field to achieve even sharpness from foreground to background
- Establishing a workflow for efficiency in quickly changing conditions
Intermediate Techniques
- Artistic landscape composition styles and techniques
- Creating dramatic compositions with strong foreground elements
- Telephoto compositions working with layers in the landscape
- Weather and light interpretation
Advanced Challenges
- Exposure bracketing for managing challenging light
- Focus Bracketing with your camera to expand your creative compositional possibilities
- Stacking multiple images to reduce noise or create star-trail photos
- Confidently photograph lightning using both a lightning trigger and manual techniques
In addition, you will receive personalized feedback and guidance from the instructors both in the field and in the classroom.
Workshop Details
This workshop is designed to help you think, react, and shoot more effectively in fast-changing monsoon and night-sky conditions.
- The cost for this workshop is $3,300.00
- Private (single occupancy) rooms are included for no additional charge
- Lightning triggers are provided during the workshop
- Small group limited to 8 participants
- Two highly qualified instructors
Sign Me up!
This workshop fills fast! To reserve your spot, add the $3,300.00 workshop fee to your cart and complete payment. It's as simple as that. We look forward to you joining us for this opportunity to photograph the Grand Canyon from the South Rim during the monsoon season.
