Cameras + Canyons: Grand Canyon Photography Tour
- Arizona
-
Trip leader: Bryn Silverman
Everyone wants to get better at photography, but what sets apart the beginners from the seasoned experts who get paid to travel and work around the world? How do you take really great photos?
In this custom workshop + travel experience, we combine a photography workshop with sightseeing in the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll be feeling comfortable shooting in manual mode on your DSLR, and you’ll have great images and memories of our three days together.
Don’t have a DSLR? No problem! Due to popular request, we’re now adding smartphone photography instruction to this workshop, as well.
So, join us with your device-of-choice and snap some incredible photos of these stunning sites!
Check dates and availability- Dates
- Itinerary
- Details
- Reviews
| Trip Dates | Availability | Price | Payment |
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Gift this trip!Trip Highlights
- Get hands-on photography tips from a pro photographer
- Sip champagne at the mesmerizing edge of the Grand Canyon
- Explore colorful slot canyons at Antelope Canyon
- Practice photography at famous Horseshoe Bend
- Soak up Sedona’s vortex energy
Day 1: Arrival to Flagstaff
Today you’ll arrive to Flagstaff, either via Flagstaff Airport, or flying to Phoenix Airport and taking the shuttle north. For those who arrive earlier than 2 p.m., we will have the options of things to see and explore within the Flagstaff area.
In the evening, either after or during dinner, we will host a 2-hour photography workshop where will you will learn basics of photographing, framing, editing and how to take photos manually on your DSLR and/or your smartphone’s camera in any light. You will build on the training throughout the weekend.
Meals included: D
Hotel: La Quinta
Day 2: Sedona + Grand Canyon
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll set off to explore nearby Sedona, famous for its red rocks and energy vortexes. This is a gorgeous little city, so we’ll have some time to walk around and shop before visiting one of Sedona’s most iconic landmarks: a chapel built into the red rocks.
We’ll have lunch in Sedona, before heading to one of the 7 Wonders of the World: The Grand Canyon.
Our goal today is to take in the Grand Canyon at sunset, so we’ll aim to arrive at about 3 p.m. to explore different viewpoints covering nearly 25 miles of the South Rim, before reaching our favorite sunset spot.
Here, we’ll enjoy a picnic-style dinner on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Meals included: B, D
Hotel: La Quinta
Day 3: Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon
Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest: Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon.
This morning after breakfast we will drive towards Page. The drive will take us about three hours, but we will stop along the way. We’ll reach Horseshoe Bend around 11 a.m., where we can peer off the edge at the mighty Colorado River and grab some truly incredible photographs.
Afterwards, we’ll have a picnic lunch before our visit to Antelope Canyon.
Antelope Canyon is owned by the Navajo tribe, which places restrictions on visitors and schedule, so we will be joining a guided group tour this afternoon. Our Navajo guide will do a great job explaining to you the fascinating history of one of the most stunning slot canyons in the world.
After the tour, we will return to the hotel and discuss dinner options.
Meals included: B, L
Hotel: La Quinta
Day 4: Departures
We hate to see you leave but we’re so glad we got to spend time with you! After breakfast today, we will begin airport and shuttle dropoffs. We’ll also create a shared folder where we can share our photos and contact info.
Meals included: B
Hotel: La Quinta
Cost includes:
- Photography workshop with professional female photographer
- Guided tour of Grand Canyon
- Guided tour of Lower Antelope Canyon with expert local Navajo guides
- Tour of Horseshoe Bend
- Hands-on photography work during the tours
- Airport pickup and dropoff
- Accommodation in a shared room
- All entrance fees to attractions
- All transportation
- Breakfast every day
- Lunch (Day 3)
- Dinner (Nights 1 + 2)
- Champagne surprises throughout tour
- Gratuities, (yay!)
Does not include:
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Alcohol not listed
What to pack:
- DSLR camera and/or smartphone
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- Sweater for when the sun sets
- Small backpack for personal items
- Bathing suit (hotel has hot tub!)
- Sense of adventure
- Check out our Packing List for more ideas!
Additional Info:
Lodging Where will we stay?
We’ll stay at the La Quinta Inn in Flagstaff. The property is newly refurbished, and the hot tub is the perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing! If you are arriving the day before, please book your room here.
Please note, this tour has shared accommodation, meaning you will be rooming with 1 other person. Don’t worry — our ladies tend to be awesome! And we will be out exploring most every day.
If you’d still prefer your own space, choose the “solo room” option at checkout.
Money How much money should I bring?
The amount of money you’d like to bring with you is totally up to you, but we recommend bringing $10/day to tip our tour driver and an additional $30 per evening for dinner. $50/day will have you sitting pretty.
Flights Where do I fly into?
Choose to fly into Flagstaff (FLG) or Phoenix (PHX).
If PHX is a more convenient or affordable option for you, Groome Transportation offers daily shuttle rides from Phoenix Sky Harbor to the Flagstaff Amtrak station, where we will come to pick you up.
Please send us your flight confirmation for whichever airport you choose.
Want us to advise on flights? Email us at info@damesly.com
Important Docs What documents are required?
-(Real) ID
-Passport (if outside the US)
-Travel Insurance
Damesly Pro Tip: Use the sherpa website to easily determine which requirements apply to you.
Trip Minimum How many people are needed for this trip to run?
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 (and max of 6) guests.
Trip Payments How do trip payments work?
A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking, or you can opt to pay for the trip in full.
Once we receive your deposit, our accounting team will set you up with a personal account so you can pay the balance of your trip at your leisure.
Payments are due in full 60 days prior to departure.
Insurance Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Damesly requires all guests to have travel insurance during our adventures.
We highly recommend opting for the “cancel-for-any-reason” insurance option, but note that this typically needs to be acquired within 21 days of initial booking (i.e. when you submit your deposit).
If you are American and have a nationwide policy, please double-check that you will be covered by your provider in Arizona.
Weather What will the weather be like?
Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Grand Canyon! Temps will vary from the Rim to the Canyon, but generally expect warm/hot temps during the days (80s+) and much cooler nights (50s).
Camera Do I need a camera?
Yes. Historically, we’ve recommended a DSLR camera to get the most out of this tour (since we have a professional photographer to instruct us), but if that’s just not your thing, you can also learn a ton just using your smartphone.
There are many aspects of the newer smartphone cameras that correlate to the DSLRs, so we’ll all learn some awesome techniques to up our game and practice them on whatever device you choose.
Workshop Do I need photo experience?
You do not need any experience to enjoy this workshop, however, some familiarity with your camera and its settings will go a long way.
The tour will begin with a 2-hour workshop that will cover photography basics suited to your needs with your DSLR and/or smartphone.
The workshop leader will go into the basics of each element and throughout the next 2 days will show you hands-on techniques to get the best photos you can with various elements.
While we will be doing a lot of traveling, make no mistake: this is a photography tour, and the emphasis here will be on perfecting photos from setup to edit.
Questions and one-on-one discussions are encouraged, and everyone is invited to bring their own individual knowledge of these mediums to better the group experience.
Reviews
UPGRADE TO SOLO
Want your own room? We've got you! Request to upgrade to solo or make this tour private.
Kathy Matzke –
I recently did the Cameras & Canyon trip. It was great. It was so fun to see such beautiful places and experience it with some incredible ladies. Bryn Silverman, our photographer did such a great job with helping each person improve their skills from where they were at .I would defiantly recommend this trip for anyone who would like to get some one on one instruction and enjoy a beautiful part of the world.
Jennifer Backwell –
I did this tour in 2017 with the wonderful Damelsy team! It was an amazing start to my USA trip and has left me with many lasting memories. The whole tour was wonderfully organised and the experience felt so personalised and tailored to the group. We had Jaye Callahan as our photographer and she was also amazing and full of helpful tips and knowledge. I would recommend this tour for anyone wanting to improve their photography skills and experience some truly beautiful locations. Can’t wait to join another Damesly adventure! Thank-you Kelly and the team at Damesly!
Madhavi Bhattaram –
Thank you Kelley for putting this tour together and Bryn for your amazing photography guidance. I always wanted to visit Grand Canyon, but what I got in this trip is a “Once in a life time experience!“ Something I could never have dreamt of in my wildest dreams. Very well organized so we did not have to worry about the small stuff and spent every min enjoying each other’s company and taking amazing photos. Can’t wait for the next Damesly trip!
Amanda Lunn –
I just finished this tour several days ago, and I can highly recommend it! I’ve never felt so taken care of before. The tour is so well organized that you don’t have to worry about anything except learning, or re-learning, how to take pictures in manual mode on your dSLR. I was a bit nervous about meeting up with other women that I didn’t know beforehand, but it worked out really well. All the other women were kind, interesting, and a pleasure to hang out with. I enjoyed this tour so much, I’m looking forward to the sequel!
Michelle Culver –
What an amazing trip! Kelley and Bryn did amazing jobs, and I came back with a lot of awesome photos. This is the best way to visit Antelope and Grand Canyons. Thank you to Kelley for organizing everything, and thank you to Bryn for all the great photography tips and and being one great trip leader! Looking forward to doing it again!
Pamm –
This tour was jam packed and I couldn’t love it more. The camera tutorials were spectacular, and Bryn had unending patience. The locations took our breath away, and the planning was well done and precise – until we changed it.. One of the best tours I have ever taken – anywhere, at any price.
Thank you thank you thank you!
Miranda Brooks –
I had an amazing experience with Damesly on this tour!
Bryn Silverman, our trip leader and photography guru, is the most delightful human ever and masterfully explained the art of photography to the group in our first workshop Friday night. Even though everyone’s experience (and camera equipment) varied, she was able to meet everyone where they were at and help everyone improve right from the start.
We put our skills to the test as we traveled through beautiful Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon. I never knew I needed to see anything but the Grand Canyon (first-timer here!) but I’m so glad we hit all these places. Kelly put together such a seamless tour to fit in all these spectacular sites over two days, as well as some cute stops for meals and shopping along the way. The weekend was full of stunning views and wonderful company – it was great getting to know our diverse group of awesome women.
Must also shout-out our local guides at the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. Molly with Above and Beyond Grand Canyon Tours is an absolute wealth of knowledge and so so fun to have as a private tour guide, and Max, our Navajo guide at Antelope Canyon, made the experience of maneuvering this beautiful slot canyon so very authentic and interesting. So, not only did we get professional photography lessons throughout the weekend from Bryn, we also learned everything we could ever want about this amazing part of the world.
Would 100% recommend this trip with Damesly and I’m already looking forward to my next one 🙂 🙂