Moab: Zen & Photography
Go Learn



Capture The Majesty of Moab


March 14-17, 2025
Double Occupancy: $975 per person
Single Occupancy: $1055 per person
Airfare is not included.

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ZEN & PHOTOGRAPHY


Please join us for a unique and inspiring creative experience that combines elements of a traditional nature photography workshop with those of a Zen meditation retreat. Zen philosophy has much to teach the Western artistic mind about being present in the moment, paying attention, spontaneity, balance, and the interconnection of all things. This program will integrate these principles in the pursuit of creating elegant and expressive images of the natural world. Each day will involve a set of morning and evening photoshoots in some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, including the vistas of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and the banks of the Colorado River. Participants will hone their technical photography skills, including conveying motion, depth of field, astrophotography, and advance digital techniques, in addition to practicing meditation exercises on light, form, and movement. This year’s program will be based out of the SpringHill Suites in Moab. Food and lodging included.

The Moon over Balanced Rock Trail - Arches National Park

The Moon over Balanced Rock Trail - Arches National Park (Photo credit: Jonathan Duncan)

Tour Highlights Include:

  • Castle Valley Photoshoot
  • Sunrise photo shoot along the banks of the Colorado River
  • An introduction to mindfulness and insight meditation 
  • Natural history hike up Grandstaff Trail
  • Sunset photo shoot in Arches National Park
  • Afternoon/evening photoshoot in Canyonlands National Park

Daily Itinerary

Friday, March 14: Welcome to Zen & the Art of Nature Photography—Moab

Welcome everyone! Our home base for the weekend is the Marriott SpringHill Suites located on the banks of the Colorado River just outside Moab. Our program will begin with an initial trip briefing and introductions, followed by a welcome dinner.

Hotel: SpringHill Suites opens a new window
Meal: D

Spring Hill Suites
SpringHill Suites (Photo credit: SpringHill Suites)

Saturday, March 15: Mindfulness & Mastering the Craft of Photography

We will meet this morning before sunrise along the banks of the Colorado River. Our first exercise will be a photographic meditation on motion. Jonathan will introduce a few techniques used to convey motion in still photographs. After breakfast, we will have our first formal lesson on photographic technique. This will include a discussion on the uses of depth of field, shutter speeds, astrophotography, and other advanced techniques. After lunch we will spend part of the early afternoon going through a series of exercises in “mindfulness” and exploring how these techniques can be used in photography. At 5:30pm our shuttle will pick up the group for an evening photoshoot in Arches National Park.

Hotel: SpringHill Suites opens a new window
Meals: B, D

Arches National Park
Arches National Park (Photo credit: Jonathan Duncan)

Sunday, March 16: The Art of Seeing—Light & Composition

This morning’s photoshoot will be up the historic and scenic Grandstaff Trail. We will apply some of the mindfulness exercises we discussed in an effort to start really seeing the forms and patterns around us. The morning lecture will be on photographic composition and the qualities of natural light. This will include a discussion on the principles of visual communication, perspective, light contrast, and the “magic hour” in outdoor photography. After lunch, we will take a short hike up Courthouse Wash and practice techniques in photographic composition. At 5:30pm our shuttle will pick up the group for an evening photoshoot at the Green River Overlook in Canyonlands National Park.

Hotel: SpringHill Suites opens a new window
Meals: B, D


Canyonland vista
Canyonland vista (Photo credit: Jonathan Duncan)

Monday, March 17, Completing the Circle

On our final morning together we will return once again to the banks of the Colorado River. Our last exercise will be to combine all the elements of our program into one final photo meditation. Following the sunrise photoshoot, we will meet one last time for a trip debrief and conclusion followed by a group breakfast.

Meal: B

A Go Learn traveler setting up their camera at the Green River Overlook
A Go Learn traveler setting up their camera at the Green River Overlook (Photo credit: A. Stone)

Jonathan Duncan

headshot of jonathon DUncanJonathan Duncan has over twenty five years experience working as a professional photojournalist specializing in stories of the natural world and the geography and culture of Buddhist Asia. He serves as the adjunct professor of Adventure Media and Photography at Westminster College, and teaches course on the Geography of Buddha, the Sacred Mountains of the World, and Creativity, Communication & Consciousness through the Osher Institute and Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah. You can view his work at www.alpinevisionmedia.net








desert stars

Details and What to Expect


Pre-Departure

We want you to arrive in Moab knowing what to expect. About a month before the trip you’ll meet with your fellow travelers and guide. We’ll talk about what to pack, how to get from place to place, and give you insider tips so that you arrive in Moab ready to take pictures. This is a great way to meet your fellow travelers and get excited about the trip.

About Moab

We chose March because as the days get longer and the red rocks start to warm, we are able to shake off the cold winter and explore Moab before the crowds and the heat arrive. It is a beautiful time of year to catch the sunlight and shadows among it's many vistas.

Weather

March in Moab can be cool. The temperature averages 64 degrees during the day and 34 in the evening, and it may rain or snow during the trip. Plan your wardrobe around being physically active, but cool, and make sure to pack so you are ready to layer.

Activity Levels and Restrictions

In order to fully explore the items on our itinerary, we will be walking and hiking every day. Most of our journey will be on local trails, but we may encounter wet conditions, ice, and steep climbs. Be sure to pack comfortable and capable hiking shoes! This is an Activity Level 2 trip. Learn More about our .

Dates

March 14-17, 2025

Size

Tour is limited to 20 participants

Cost

Double Occupancy: $975 per person
Single Occupancy: $1055 per person
See for payment and cancellation details.

Daily Details
  • Friday
    • 4:00pm - Check in
    • 5:30pm - Group introductions and trip briefing
    • 6:30pm - Welcome dinner
  • Saturday
    • 7:00am - Sunrise photoshoot along the banks of the Colorado River
    • 8:30am - Breakfast
    • 9:30am - Lecture: Mastering the Craft of Photographic Technique
    • 12:00pm - Lunch
    • 1:00pm - Lesson: An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation
    • 5:30pm - Depart for photoshoot in Arches National Park
  • Sunday
    • 7:00am - Sunrise photoshoot: short hike up Grandstaff Trail
    • 8:30am - Breakfast
    • 9:30am - Lecture: The Art of Photographic Composition and Lighting
    • 12:00pm - Lunch
    • 1:00pm - Exercise: Using the camera as a form of meditation
    • 5:30pm - Depart for photoshoot in Canyonlands National Park
  • Monday
    • 7:00am - Sunrise photoshoot
    • 8:30am - Workshop debrief and conclusion followed by a group breakfast
    • Checkout 11am