Grand Canyon Monsoon 2023 | colinsillerudphoto

GRAND CANYON MONSOONS 2023

There is simply no place on Earth like the Grand Canyon. Spanning nearly 2000 square miles and more than 5000 feet of elevation change, the Canyon ranges from snowy forest atop the Kaibab Plateau in winter to shimmering 110 degree F sandstone along the shores of the Colorado River at its floor in the summer. This range of conditions is magnified during the monsoon season, when temperatures can go from 100 to 50 degrees F in minutes as storms roll in, dropping inches or rain in the blink of an eye. Rain of this magnitude creates waterfalls 100's of feet high while winds scoop orange sand high into the air... and lightning... Oh the lightning! This area is one of the most electrically active in the Southwest. And there is nothing like witnessing the interplay between blinding lightning and deafening thunder reflected off the walls of the canyon.

This is also a perfect time for desert astro-photography as the core of the Milky Way is situated South-Southwest and is visible 30 minutes after sunset.

Workshop Philosophy

I view photography as an exploration. Each new storm, each new moonrise, each new early snow is an opportunity to tell the story of our adventure with a unique vision. I want you to experience the heat, the cold, the explosions of light, the screaming joy of capturing the perfect scene when the final gasp of the sun's red breath heats a peak just right - or when the lightning we've been chasing for days lashes across a dark escarpment, lighting hoodoos and monuments as few have ever seen. When you're done, I want you to know that you have created something that is entirely yours.

General Details

Group Size: 4 participants
Dates: July 22th-29th
Cost: $2450 Total/Person ($900 non-refundable deposit collected upon booking)

Physical Difficulty: Light (Max of 1-2 hour hikes with 500/1000 ft of elevation change.

What's Included

Expert guidance to the best photographic locations in the region
Photographic Instruction:
- Step-by-step instruction to understand how my creative process works including scouting, composing, pre-visuilizaiton, and execution
- How to see beyond the ordinary to capture/convey new and unique perspectives
- Focus stacking for extreme depth of field
- Photography in extreme weather conditions
- Wide angle and telephoto composition
Post processing Instruction to bring your images to life
Food while camping:
- Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

What's Not Included

Lodging (Suggestions will be given upon booking)
Transportation/flights
Photographic or camping gear
Travel insurance (highly recommended to protect against unforeseen circumstances)

Payment, Cancellation and Refunds

Payment consists of a non-refundable deposit with the balance collected via a Paypal request 90 days prior to the workshop.

Cancellation is handled as follows:

If you decide to cancel and your spot is filled, you will be refunded the full amount you have paid, minus a $300 administrative fee.
If you cancel and your spot is not filled, you will be refunded based upon the following schedule:
- Greater than 90 days prior to beginning the tour: the deposit is forfeited
- Less than 90 days prior to beginning the tour: 75% of the tour program cost is forfeited
- Less than 30 days: 100% of the total tour cost is forfeited

By booking this tour you agree to the Terms&Conditions.