Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah is a stunning treasure with desert rock formations, sweeping vistas, graceful pinon and juniper trees, and over 100,000 sites of ancient habitation and art. The Cedar Mesa region of the monument is especially rich in remnants of Ancestral Puebloan and older cultures where people have thrived since as early as 13,000 years ago. The area is still important to modern-day Ute, Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo tribes. We invite you to respectfully explore this inspirational landscape for an unforgettable workshop!

For the first half of our week, we’ll be based in Bluff, Utah to explore Cedar Mesa, which is known for having the highest concentration of ancient dwellings, petroglyphs, and pictographs in the world. To explore this special area more closely, a local guide will take us on a private 4-wheel drive tour to some of these amazing locations, which normally require long hikes over rugged terrain to access.

In the second half of the workshop, we’ll move just south of the Utah border to Arizona and Monument Valley. From our home base here, we’ll explore Hunts Mesa in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Accessible only with an authorized Navajo guide, a highlight of the workshop will be our privately guided and fully catered, overnight camping trip to Hunts Mesa. From high above the valley floor, we will capture the sunset and sunrise colors, and the best panoramic views of the iconic buttes, mesas, and desert environment that Monument Valley is known for. Off-road vehicle transportation, camping gear, and meals for our overnight adventure are provided. After our Hunts Mesa adventure, we’ll photograph a different perspective of the Monument’s incredible features and red rock monoliths from the Valley floor via a private tour with a local guide.

Join DJP for an unforgettable opportunity to experience these sacred landscapes.

Overview

Ancient Landscapes I ~ August 29 - September 4, 2024

Ancient Landscapes II ~ September 7 - 13, 2024 Sold Out

Our Workshop begins with a welcome orientation at 3:00 pm in Bluff, Utah, and concludes after our group slideshow at 12pm in Monument Valley, Arizona. Halfway through the workshop, we’ll move from Bluff, Utah to Monument Valley, Arizona.

Each day will be packed with field sessions led by Doug at the best times for shooting, daily lectures to improve your photographic skills and visual seeing, constructive critiques of participants’ images, and classroom sessions tailored to each workshop based on participant interests and goals for the workshop. Additional topics are designed to enhance participants’ skills for the type of shooting the location emphasizes.

Location Highlights: We’ll have the opportunity to base ourselves in two different locations (Bluff, Utah, and Monument Valley, Arizona) to capture the richness of the desert southwest! Photographic locations include Valley of the Gods, River House Ruin, House on Fire Ruin, Mokey Dugway, Goosenecks State Park, Monument Valley, and an exclusive overnight on Hunts Mesa!

REGISTRATION

Early Bird: $3195 by March 2, 2024 ($200 discount!)
Regular: $3395 after March 2, 2024
*tuition includes private tours in 4WD vehicles with local guides at Cedar Mesa and Monument Valley with an additional overnight trip on Hunts Mesa with a local guide (transportation to the Mesa, camping equipment, and catered meals during the overnight)
Deposit: $695 due with Registration (after the Early Bird deadline, the deposit will be $895)
Ancient Landscapes I, $2500 - Balance due May 31, 2024
Ancient Landscapes II, $2500 - Balance due June 9, 2024