WORKSHOPS 

 

For the last 20 years Jim has served as a professional advisor to Outdoor Photographer Magazine. Since he began his career in 1982, his work has appeared in countless publications around the world and his photographs have been featured in the Nikon Legends Collection. While he has photographed locations from the Southern Alps of New Zealand to the high peaks of the Himalaya, he's most familiar with the remarkable landscapes closer to home in the redrock canyons and mountains of the American West. Utah's vast region of water-carved canyons and bizarre geologic formations contains some of the most remarkable photography locations on earth. Jim's passions for photography, adventure and the geologic history of this region combine to offer participants a unique perspective on this extraordinary landscape. Throughout his career, Jim has been motivated as much by his desire to explore and discover new and unique photography compositions as he has been by his passion for the art of photography itself. His experience organizing and leading countless backcountry trips over the last 30 years provides him with all the skills necessary to implement memorable workshop programs.  He is a natural-born teacher, enjoys sharing his knowledge with others and is careful to offer ample one-on-one instruction to each participant while in the field. Our workshops will not only provide you with inspiring photographic opportunities; Jim will also pass along his in-depth knowledge of the geologic history of the American West and provide insight into how these remarkable landscapes came to be. Please join us for one of our workshops aimed at providing an off-the-beaten-path experience for anyone interested in improving their skills in the art of photography while exploring some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.

Outdoor Photographer Magazine awarded our Capitol Reef Workshop as 1st prize in their 2013 Landscape Photography Contest.

Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument / Hole-in-the-Rock Road May 4-9, 2014	Capitol Reef National Park, Utah   May 11-16, 2014
Best of Buckskin Gulch & Paria Canyon   May 30 - June 3, 2013	Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah   October 4-9, 2013
Autumn in Capitol Reef National Park   October 18-23, 2013	Grand Staircase Escalante Monument / Escalante Headwaters October 25-30, 2013
Glacier National Park, Montana   July 15-21, 2014	Canadian Rockies  July 23-29, 2014

OUR WORKSHOP PHILOSOPHY

If you're looking for an opportunity to explore and photograph landscapes where you won't need to jockey for position with hordes of other photographers and you'd like to return home with unique images of places which haven't yet become photographic clichés, you've come to the right place. Throughout his career, Jim has always pursued photographic opportunities far from the standard crowded overlooks; a personal philosophy reflected in the workshops he offers. His workshops are designed for active people who want a more adventurous experience than the standard jump-out-of-the-car-and-shoot-from-the-side-of-the-road venue. Plan on taking advantage of your leg muscles as we venture far from the crowds to explore and photograph places few people ever have the chance to experience. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Utah's canyon country and the northern Rocky Mountains gained from 30 years of exploration, Jim has selected some of the most beautiful locations our public lands have to offer. He prefers working one-on-one with small groups of 6-8 participants so no one feels like they've been lost in the crowd. And finally, he designs these workshops based on the premise that photographic opportunities present themselves throughout the day; not just during the "magic" hour of sunrise and sunset. With this in mind, we will maximize our time out in the field as we seek out compelling compositions throughout the day in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Join us, get off the beaten path, and share the adventure!

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN OUR WORKSHOPS

 

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

"I just wanted to take a moment to thank the both of you for a fantastic, productive, creative, and most enjoyable photo session...for me, the best that I have had to date. The Karma was perfect, the group was wonderful, and the two of you are the VERY BEST. Again thank you...it was an honor... we will meet again." Fred Kraut - Salt Lake City, Utah

 

"Jim, you are the consummate teacher! I learned so much that this short little email will never do it justice, but I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed your teaching style and interest in what I was doing. It was really great to have someone who really cares about the students and their progression in photography. Thanks for all you did to help me during these five days. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!! - for the education, the great week, images, and care and attention to so many details."   Richard Sandford - Gahanna, Ohio

 

"Let me thank you both for a very rewarding workshop. Your expertise made my second trip to the Capitol Reef area most enjoyable. The extemporaneous camaraderie that we all shared was an added bonus. Jim, your knowledge of photography as well as the geology and history of the area was most helpful. Susie, I really enjoyed our conversations while trekking that 4 mile round trip. I noticed that you had time for everyone, and that made the hike seem shorter than it was. I look forward to our next sojourn. Thanks again for being the best host and hostess of any workshop I've ever taken."    Dr. Jack Berger - New York City

 

"I cannot thank you both enough for the adventure, friendship, photo locations and companionship last week in Capitol Reef. The whole experience was wonderful and exceeded my expectations. The location was great, but you two really made it special!!!!"  David Benson - Denver, Colorado

 

"Awesome weather and an awesome workshop! Great scenery and great companions. Thanks again!"  Ted Truex - Valencia, California

 

"I wanted to thank you again for a really memorable time. As I mentioned before, you and Susie make an outstanding team. You are doing something unique with your workshops and I wish you much deserved success."    Peter Cabrera - Chicago, Illinois

 

"Great workshop; got some amazing pictures and had a great time as well."  Ajit Pillai - Memphis, Tennessee

 

"Hole-in-the-Rock was my second workshop with you and it will not be my last! You set a very high standard on the first workshop I took with you and my expectations on this one were exceeded. As usual, the trip was well organized and the photographic opportunities from sunrise to sunset were exceptional. Your web page promises a lot and you and Susie deliver on your word. You both work very hard to ensure that the entire workshop, beginning with the introduction dinner on the first night and ending with the after-dark dinner on the last night is the best possible experience. I can't imagine a better workshop and look forward to joining you and Susie on another."  Ted Truex - Valencia, California

 

"It was a great trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks for all your hard work and taking us to your "secret" places."   Steve Casey - Las Vegas, Nevada

 

"Thank you so much for letting this novice photographer interlope on a serious outing. It was like my first sailboat race. I knew how to sail safely but not the rules, tactics, strategies, boat fine tuning, etc. I learned more in two days, mostly what I don't know and need to know than in the previous two years."   David Brems - Salt Lake City, Utah

 

"It was very valuable to hear your perspective on photography; both techniques and the business perspective. It was invaluable to get the exposure to some areas I have never checked out before."   Jeff Clay - Salt Lake City, Utah

 

"Thanks for the great experience. It was a really great trip!"  Richard Pick - Park City, Utah

 

 

                                                                                      OUR FRIENDS & SPONSORS

 

                                                 WE ARE A FULLY-LICENSED AND PERMITTED OPERATOR ON OUR NATION'S PUBLIC LANDS.

 

 

Photographer James Kay hosts photography workshops for all levels of photographers. His photo workshops cover the canyonlands region on the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah including photography workshops in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Buckskin Gulch, Paria Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Glacier National Park, Montana. These Utah & Montana photography workshops are based in the towns of Escalante, Boulder, Torrey, Hanksville, & Bryce Canyon, Utah. Join us for a photo workshop where we will visit locations such as Calf Creek Falls, Hole in the Rock Road, Metate Arch, Devil's Garden, Circle Cliffs, Factory Butte, San Rafael Reef, Little Wildhorse Canyon, Goblin Valley, Caineville, Willow Gulch, Sunset Arch, Spooky Gulch, Waterpocket Fold, Peekaboo Gulch, Brimstone Gulch, Dry Fork Coyote Gulch, Zebra Canyon, Harris Gulch, Broken Bow Arch, Escalante Canyon, Hell's Backbone, Death Hollow, Glacier National Park, Saint Mary Lake, Many Glacier, Logan Pass, Lake McDonald, etc.