I was doing some research over the weekend on photography workshops. I would like to host a workshop in Sedona, for photographers that are interested in nature and landscape photography. The area is ideal for this type of photography, and I know business owners of hotels, car rental places, and the local hot-air balloon pilots.
I got the idea back in 2001, when I attended a photography workshop put on by Popular Photography magazine. They have a great program that has photo workshops throughout the US and the world. I have spent this long just trying to figure out how to do a workshop myself.
I think that fall would be the best time to schedule an event such as this, since it is way too hot here in summer. By planning a workshop for the fall, we can travel to Flagstaff to photograph the vivid yellow leaves of the poplar trees up there, or even go up to the Grand Canyon. The Oak Creek Canyon area north of Sedona is beautiful any time of year, but in the fall the leaves are changing and the air is cool and refreshing.
We could spend a few early mornings taking pictures of the hot air balloons that depart at sunrise, or get some great shots along many of the hiking trails in the area. For dinner, we would go to the Sedona airport retaurant, located at the top of a 500 foot mesa, where the views are amazing, especially at sunset.
Some optional activities might include some aerial photography from a helicopter, plane, or hot-air balloon. There is also a Day in the West, which offers photography opportunities through jeep tours. There are several Indian ruins in the area, such as Montezuma’s well and Montezuma Castle, just short drives from Sedona. And some areas that contain petroglyphs (though I don’t know how willing they would be to let us photograph them).
I would include a trip to Red Rock Crossing and The Chapel of the Holy Cross in the intinerary. Red Rock Crossing is a beautiful area, one that you have probably seen on postcards, as it is one of the most photographed areas in the country. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a church that is built into the side of a mountain. It is very photogenic.
There is a big hot-air balloon festival in Phoenix in October or November each year, called Thunderbird. That would be a good place to go for a day or two. And the evening glows (where they set up the balloons without launching, at night) are awesome. I went to a workshop there once too.
I will continue to search for sponsors for my photography workshops, and in the meantime let me know if you would be interested in attending or sponsoring my workshops. And how much you would be willing to pay for such an adventure.