Spring Arches Workshop

 

Milky Way from inside Double Arch. © Royce Bair

This Arches National Park "Nightscape" Workshop is led by Royce Bair and Robert McKendrick - April 5-9, 2027 - limited to only 6 participants.

Iconic Landscape.  Arches National Park contains over 2,000 documented natural stone arches, giving it the highest density of natural arches in the world. We plan to visit the most iconic of these arches and natural monuments. We get more requests to conduct workshops here than any other national park.

30 Years of Experience.  Robert and Royce have over 30 years of combined experience in photographing Arches National Park and the surrounding area. We know this area!

Why in April? April 5-9 is the week after Easter and the annual Jeep Safari—the park's most visited time of the year. An April schedule also allows us to be in the park long before the crowds arrive, avoiding entrance lines. April is one of the most beautiful times of year for both nightscape and daytime photography in the park. Temperatures are beginning to moderate in April, with average daytime temperatures of approximately 71°F (22°C), and overnight lows near 42°F (6°C). Summer daytime temperatures in the park often exceed 100ºF (38ºC).

SUNRISE and SUNSET Photography.  Although our focus is on nightscape photography, we plan to guide you to the best spots for twilight and "Golden Hour" photography.

Locations OUTSIDE the Park.  Because Arches National Park no longer allows artificial lighting, we also plan to offer photographic Low Level Lighting opportunities to nearby locations outside the park, if time permits.

POST PROCESSING Instruction.  Our workshop also provides both group and personalized digital post processing instruction to help your images come alive!

Typical Daily Schedule.  This schedule gives each person at least 8 hours a day for personal and sleep time, albeit it is broken into two four-hour periods, this is because spring Milky Way photography* has to be done between the hours of 2:30am and 5:30am.

•  6:00pm - Golden hour / sunset photography
•  8:00pm - Return to Moab for dinner
•  9:00pm - Dinner, sleep and personal time
•  1:45am - Leave for Milky Way photography*
•  5:30am - End Milky Way photography* and travel to sunrise location, rest in cars
•  6:30am - Begin Blue Hour, sunrise and Golden Hour photography
•  8:45am - Return to Moab
•  9:30am - Breakfast, sleep and personal time
•  3:15pm - Post processing instruction and individual help
•  5:15pm - Leave for sunset photography

Skill Level:  All Levels

Fitness Level:  Easy to moderate*

Terrain:  Flat walkways to uneven*

*The trail to Delicate Arch is 3 miles roundtrip, over uneven terrain in some areas, and an elevation gain of about 700 feet. All other locations within the park are fairly easy, with flat walkways. We will provide an alternate location for those not wishing to include Delicate Arch on their itinerary of shooting locations.

TUITION:  $1995.00

These spots will go fast (many of our workshops have sold out in only a few days). There is a deposit of $900 to hold your spot. Full payment is due at least 60 days before the workshop. You may cancel by February 4, 2027 and receive a full refund. You may cancel by March 4, 2027 and receive a 50% refund. There are no refunds after March 5, 2027.

To REGISTER for the workshop, eMAIL ME and I will send you an invoice for $900 to secure your workshop spot. You can use this same email to ask any questions. 

What's Included:

• In-field instruction
• Group and personal post processing instruction during the workshop
• One group meal

What's Not Included:

• Travel to Moab, Utah
• Transportation during workshop
• National Park entrance fees
• Lodging
• Additional meals
• Alcohol
• Travel insurance
• Health or medical expenses

LODGING Options:  Lodging and meals are NOT provided for this workshop. However, we have reserved a 4 bedroom AirBnB apartment (with 3.5 bathrooms) and lots of common area for relaxing and studying. This will be our home base for group instruction and camaraderie.

The first three (3) workshop participants who sign up for the workshop will be allow to stay in bedrooms 1, 2, or 3. Bedroom #4 is reserved for the instructors. The cost of each 5-night stay in one of the three bedrooms of your choice (first come basis) is $1030.72 ($206.14/night with taxes and fees included). This will be billed separately to you, if you choose this option.

Other Lodging Options for the other three workshop participants:

• Hampton Inn: $1823 w/tax or $365/night
• Spring Hill by Marriott: $1608 w/tax or $322/night
• La Quinta Inn: $1359 w/tax or $272/night (closest to our AirBnB)
• Holiday Inn Express: $1326 w/tax or $265/night
• Best Western Plus: $1262 w/tax or $252/night