April 26 - May 6, 2027
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime, rafting the Colorado River on a photography journey through the Grand Canyon. Over ten days, we travel through the heart of the canyon by raft, accessing remote side canyons and beaches while working at a pace that allows for exploration, learning, and rest.
The trip is led by Adam and his team of professional river guides, who are accomplished outdoorspeople with backgrounds in natural history and the ability to make each river trip special and memorable.
What Makes this Adventure Unique
This photography adventure offers a rare chance to experience the Grand Canyon slowly, thoughtfully, and from the river — a perspective available to very few.
Photography instruction is personalized and inclusive, supporting participants of all experience levels. With a small group and experienced professional guides handling logistics and safety, the focus remains on presence, connection, and creative growth.
More than a workshop, this is a shared journey—one that often leaves participants with a deeper connection to the canyon and to the experience itself.
Who is this trip for?
This trip is designed for people who love photography — not just those who consider themselves experts.
Past participants have ranged from iPhone users and enthusiastic hobbyists to working professionals. Instruction is tailored to each individual, with the goal of helping you see more clearly, photograph more intentionally, and grow at your own pace.
Throughout the trip, I provide a mix of one-on-one guidance and group instruction focused on:
- Seeing light and composition in a dynamic environment
- Working thoughtfully with scale, weather, and changing conditions
- Developing personal visual storytelling rather than chasing “checklist shots"
Whether you’re refining a long-term body of work or simply learning to better document an extraordinary experience, you’ll be supported in a way that meets you where you are.
Life on the River
Life on the river settles into a natural rhythm that feels both immersive and unhurried.
Most mornings begin quietly, with coffee on the riverbank as the canyon walls catch the first light. After breakfast, we float — sometimes for miles, sometimes stopping when light, weather, or curiosity calls for it. Side canyon hikes and photography sessions, along with moments of rest, are woven naturally into the day.
As daylight fades, camp becomes a place to slow down. After dinner, the canyon often grows remarkably quiet, and on clear nights the sky reveals itself in ways rarely seen from more developed places. With no nearby towns and minimal light pollution, the Grand Canyon offers extraordinary opportunities to experience and photograph the night sky.
Night photography is completely optional and approached at a comfortable, accessible pace. For those interested, I provide guidance on photographing stars, the Milky Way, and moonlit canyon scenes. For others, simply sitting back and taking in the night is just as much a part of the experience.
Over time, the river sets the tempo — day and night — and most people find that balance is what makes the journey so memorable.
Trip Itinerary
April 26th - We will meet at 2:30 p.m. at Ceiba Adventures* in Flagstaff, Arizona. We will depart from Ceiba Adventures at 3:00 p.m. and will be shuttled to Marble Canyon Lodge**, where we will spend the night before the river trip. You will have an opportunity to grab dinner at the lodge. Later in the evening, we will meet the river guides and be issued your Sleep Kit and Tour West dry bags.
April 27th - After grabbing an early breakfast, we will load our gear onto the shuttle for the short ride to Lees Ferry, then load it onto the boats and start our trip.
May 6th - The last day on the river. We will take out at Diamond Creek, 225 miles downstream of Lees Ferry. Ceiba will have a shuttle vehicle there to pick us up and take us back to Flagstaff. We plan to be back in Flagstaff in the late afternoon.
* You can leave your vehicle at Ceiba Adventures in their secure, locked facility for a daily fee. Ceiba has not yet set its parking rate for 2027, but it's safe to plan for approximately $5.00 per day.
** Double-occupancy lodging at Marble Canyon Lodge is included. For an additional $120.00, you may upgrade to single-occupancy lodging.
Frequently Asked Questions (Quick Answers)
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is a meaningful commitment, and most people want to understand what the experience will really be like before deciding. The questions below reflect the most frequently asked questions from past participants and are meant to help you feel informed, comfortable, and confident.
If you don’t see your question answered here, you’re always welcome to reach out. I’m happy to talk things through and help you decide if this expedition is the right fit.
Do I need to be an experienced photographer?
No. Participants range from iPhone users to professional photographers. Instruction is flexible and personalized, with no pressure to perform or keep up.
Can family or friends join the trip?
Yes. Friends and family are welcome and often find the experience especially rewarding. While photography is part of the trip, it’s much more than just a photography workshop.
What kind of camera gear should I bring?
There is no single “right” setup. Participants bring everything from phones to mirrorless and medium-format cameras. Detailed guidance is provided before the trip, and you’re never expected to carry excessive or specialized equipment.
Have more questions? You can find detailed answers on the full FAQ page, or feel free to reach out anytime.
Physical Expectations - Active, Not Extreme
This trip is active, but it is not designed to be physically extreme. The pace is steady and supportive, with flexibility built into each day to accommodate different comfort levels, interests, and energy.
Participants should be comfortable spending full days outdoors and engaging in light to moderate activity, but there is no expectation of elite fitness or prior river experience. Many activities are optional, and the group moves at a pace that prioritizes safety, enjoyment, and sustainability over speed or distance.
What to expect physically:
- Optional hikes ranging from short walks near camp to moderate outings into side canyons
- Getting in and out of rafts, sometimes from uneven or sandy shorelines
- Long days outdoors, with time to rest, hydrate, and recover built into the schedule
- A supportive group pace, guided by experienced river professionals who help set a comfortable rhythm for the group
If you enjoy being active, can manage uneven terrain, and appreciate a slower, immersive approach to adventure, you are likely a good fit for this trip.
Photography Opportunities
This trip is designed for photographers. We will have fantastic opportunities to photograph a wide range of subjects and locations, including slot canyons, waterfalls, archaeological sites, grand vistas of the river, and dark night skies. This is a special trip because we plan to visit and photograph locations not typically visited on other rafting expeditions.
In addition to the hikes, there are many photo opportunities on the river, including photographing from the boats and in and around camp before breakfast and in the late afternoon. There will also be the opportunity to photograph the night sky above the canyon.
What's Included?
- Life Jackets – of special whitewater design.
- Meals – all meals on the river, beginning with lunch on the first day on the river and ending with breakfast on the last morning. All meals are expertly prepared and cooked by our river guides.
- Cooking facilities – all cooking items, including eating utensils.
- Camping toilet facilities, toilet paper, and supplies.
- Unlimited water and electrolyte drinks. Coffee, tea & hot chocolate in the morning.
- Camping equipment includes a tent, ground cloth (tarp), sleeping bag, cot, and a comfortable sleeping pad.
- Dry bag – 108 liters to put your personal duffel bag into during the trip.
- Small water-resistant bag - 22 liters--accessible at all times) for personal articles.
- Transportation from Flagstaff to the put-in at Lees Ferry and from the takeout at Diamond Creek back to Flagstaff.
- Pre-trip guidance and photography instruction via two Zoom meetings.
- Post-trip Lightroom instruction and critique session via Zoom.
What's Not Included?
- A dry bag to protect your camera pack. We recommend Watershed dry bags.
- Alcoholic beverages. You are welcome to bring your own.
- Personal items, i.e., clothing, water bottles, medications, etc.
- $20.00 fee to enter Grand Canyon National Park
- Medical Evacuation Insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities for the river guides
- Anything not listed on the 'What's Included' list above
Our River Guides
All of our river guides are professional boatmen who are whitewater-qualified and Wilderness First Responders. They are accomplished outdoorspeople with a background in natural history, flora, and fauna, and the ability to make each river trip special and memorable. For this trip, we will have one river guide for every three to four guests.
Each boat will have two river guides, one piloting the raft and the other serving as a lookout and assistant. In addition to piloting the boats, cooking meals, and leading hikes, the river guides are eager to help you make photos. Our river guides love what they do, and it shows!
Our head river guide, otherwise known as the 'Trip Leader' or 'TL' for short, is John Buggenhagen. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Ph.D. in Geophysics in 1999. John brings tremendous knowledge, experience, and passion about the Grand Canyon. He started backpacking in the Grand Canyon in 1989 and has hiked over 1,000 miles within the canyon, from the river to the rims. He has successfully navigated the river more than 60 times, both in oar-powered rafts and motorized rafts.
About Our Outfitter
Tour West has been providing whitewater rafting trips on the rivers throughout the West for over 50 years. While many things have changed in the river-running business, their philosophy has remained the same. A river trip is more than a vacation; it is an experience. Very few people go on a river trip and come back unchanged, and Tour West feels fortunate to be a part of that experience.
Tour West is an Authorized Concessioner under contract with the U.S. Government and administered by the National Park Service.
The Boats
For this expedition, we will use two 37-foot-long "S-rig" rafts. These boats are custom-made, compartmentalized, and designed to carry up to 14 passengers and two river guides. The boats are also used to carry all of our camp equipment, camera gear, kitchen facilities, and much more.
What is the Menu Like?
Meals on the river are one of the highlights of the trip. Our river guides take pride in preparing fresh, satisfying food that keeps everyone well-fueled throughout the day. Many participants are surprised by how good the food is on a river trip.
You can expect:
- Breakfasts with familiar favorites such as pancakes, omelets, fresh fruit, and juices
- Lunches featuring deli meats and cheeses, salads, snacks, and treats
- Dinners that include fresh salads, chicken or steak, internationally inspired dishes, side dishes, and dessert
Dietary needs and food allergies can typically be accommodated. Please note any specific requirements in your Tour West registration paperwork so the guides can plan accordingly.
What is the Weather Like?
Spring is an excellent time to experience the Grand Canyon from the river. Daytime temperatures are generally warm but more comfortable than the peak summer months, with highs typically in the upper 80s to low 90s°F (29–35°C). Evenings and early mornings are cooler, with overnight lows usually in the 60s and occasionally dipping into the 50s°F (12–17°C).
This range of temperatures allows for warm days on the river and comfortable evenings at camp.
Logistics & Preparation
All river logistics are handled by experienced, professional outfitters. Detailed information on packing, camera gear, and trip preparation is provided well in advance of the expedition so participants can prepare confidently and at a comfortable pace.
If you have questions at any point, you’ll have direct access to guidance and support — you’re never expected to figure things out on your own.
Investment & Reservation Details
A multi-day Grand Canyon river adventure involves experienced guides, permits, logistics, and a high level of professional support. The National Park Service requires photography workshops on the Colorado River to list river outfitting costs separately from instructional fees.
For this 10-day river trip and photography adventure, costs are structured as follows:
- Tour West river outfitting fee: $5,150 per participant
(Includes river guides, meals, camping equipment, permits, and all river logistics) - Photography workshop fee: $1,500 per participant
(Instruction, guidance, and trip leadership provided by Adam Schallau Photography)
Reserving Your Spot
To reserve your spot on this photography adventure, the $1,500 photography workshop fee is paid directly to Adam Schallau Photography. A deposit of $800.00 is due to Tour West. The final payment for the river trip portion is due to Tour West no later than January 2nd, 2027.
Once your workshop fee is received, I will connect you with the booking team at Tour West, who will handle payment of the river outfitting fee.
Detailed guidance, timelines, and support are provided well in advance so you can prepare comfortably and confidently.