Southern Arizona Spring Photo Workshop with Jess Lee
March 1-7 2023
3 openings
Join renowned photographer Jess Lee of Jessleephotos.com for an unforgettable spring photography adventure in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. This seven-day workshop, from March 1-7, will take you on a journey through some of Southern Arizona's most breathtaking landscapes, from the iconic saguaro cacti to historic missions and stunning mountain vistas, including opportunities to capture the majestic Milky Way arching across the desert night sky.
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Our expedition begins in Phoenix, where we'll meet and prepare for the visual feast that awaits. From there, we'll head south to the lesser-known gem of Organ Pipe Cactus National Park. Here, we'll spend two days exploring and capturing the unique beauty of this remote desert wilderness, home to the park's namesake organ pipe cactus and a diverse array of desert flora and fauna.
Photos copyright © Jess Lee
Next, we'll make our way to Tucson, the heart of the Sonoran Desert. For two days, we'll immerse ourselves in the majestic landscapes of Saguaro National Park. Here, you'll have the opportunity to photograph the park's iconic saguaro cacti – the enduring symbols of the American Southwest – set against vibrant sunsets and rugged mountain backdrops. These towering sentinels of the desert, found naturally only in a small part of the United States, create unparalleled photographic opportunities.Our Tucson experience will be enriched by a visit to the San Xavier del Bac Mission, a National Historic Landmark. This stunning example of Spanish colonial architecture, often called the "White Dove of the Desert," offers a step back in time. You'll have the chance to capture both its impressive exterior and the intricate, original statuary and murals that adorn its interior.
The final leg of our journey takes us back to the outskirts of Phoenix, where we'll explore the rugged beauty of the Superstition Mountains. This legendary landscape, steeped in myth and natural wonder, provides a fitting finale to our photographic odyssey.Throughout the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to capture the essence of the Sonoran Desert in early spring. From mountain ranges and lowlands to rivers, washes, and colorful rock formations, every vista offers a new perspective. This is the prime time to photograph the early spring flower bloom which usually start in late February in Organ Pipe.A special highlight of this workshop is the chance to photograph the night sky. When conditions permit, we'll rise early to capture the awe-inspiring sight of the Milky Way arching across the desert landscape. The dark skies of the Sonoran Desert provide an ideal backdrop for stunning astrophotography, allowing you to create truly magical images that blend the beauty of the earth and the cosmos.This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. Jess Lee will provide expert guidance, helping you refine your technique and develop your artistic vision in both day and night photography. All lodging and guiding are provided, allowing you to focus entirely on your craft and the extraordinary landscapes before you.Join us for this exclusive opportunity to photograph the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert in spring, from sunlit cacti to star-studded skies. You'll come away not only with a portfolio of stunning images but also with enhanced skills, new friendships, and memories to last a lifetime.
$3995 Double room. Single room $4495. $750 Deposit to hold your place. Transportation to and from Phoenix Meals are not included.
Coming in 2026
Winter is a special time to photograph in the Southwest and this photography workshop will have you in the right place at the ring time and we will be there to instruct you to capture the best photographs. The soft, low angle winter sun provides lovely shadow and texture to a landscape that can be harsh later in the year as the sun becomes higher in the sky. This will be the time to capture these scenic areas in a way seldom photographers do and Jess will be at your side to help you make the best photos of this dramatic land.
Limited Edition of 50 Exclusive high-resolution Museum Quality Fine Art Prints. Winter in Bryce. Snow comes early and stays late at Bryce Canyon giving a unworldly feel to the Hoodoo's. Bryce Canyon National Park (/braɪs/) is located in southwestern Utah. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce Canyon National Park is much smaller, and sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 m)
Photo © copyright by Jess Lee
This trip will start and end in Phoenix, after we pick you up in our four wheel drive SUV's (just three trip members to a vehicle and a total of six on this small group trip) we will head north into the Red Rock Country of Arizona and Utah to capture the essence of winter in the high desert. We will photograph Sedona, Monument Valley (Navajo guided to non public areas), Canyon de Chelly, and Bryce. Other possibilities include: the Grand Canyon, Coal Mine Canyon, Goose Necks of the San Juan, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Lake Powell Red Rocks and Hoo Doos, Paria Canyon, White Pocket, and Secret Canyon. Of course we will be looking for snow in the Red Rock Country, but no matter what the weather brings we will have the best light of the year. The exact time of when we will photograph each place depends on weather so this trip will be like storm chasing with the exception of no matter what the weather, we will have the low winter light angle to define this dramatic and colorfull landscape.
We will travel in safety with 3 clients in each of our two full sized SUV's. Lodging, Guiding and Navajo tribal fees, Transportation from and to Phoenix included. $3995 sharing, single room $495. Meals, Drinks, Guide tips, and other purchases not included.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000. will hold your place.
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© Jess Lee Photography 2020
Terms and Conditions
GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally I am able to run a trip below our group minimum which is generally 3. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement. You would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.RESERVATIONS: Your deposit is required to secure your place on any trip, with the balance due120 days prior to the departure date..Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.MEALS: Some meals and refreshments are included depending on the trip details, but not alcoholic beverages.ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing, and due to costs incurred by Jess Lee Photos in arranging a tour, deposits are non refundable. Payment in full is required 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations after 120 days will receive a full refund( except deposit) if your spot can be filled from a waiting list or if you can fill your spot.JessLeePhotos LLC strongly suggest that tour participants invest in trip cancellation insurance..CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, JessLeePhotos reserves the right to cancel any given trip. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, JessLeePhotos is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.LUGGAGE: JessLeePhotos request that tour participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag and tripod. We asks that group members bear in mind space and comfort in our vehicles. All personal luggage is the responsibility of the owner so please keep the weight to a limit you can handle and other restrictions can be met.SMOKERS: Smoking is not permitted at meals or on vans. It can be permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit, photography and photographers are not affected.RESPONSIBILITY: JessLeePhotos LLC and its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, and as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause. JessLeePhotos reserves the right to substitute hotels, and other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience.JessLeePhotos reserves the right to pass on to tour members any additional and unplanned expenditures incurred during the tour, via events beyond JessLeePhotos' control.The right is reserved to accept or decline any person as a member of any tour.Payment of tour fees by trip participants constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein including but not limited to injury, death or other liability incurred during a trip.
Joshua Tree Night Photo is a Limited Edition of 50 Exclusive high-resolution Museum Quality Fine Art Prints of the Night Sky at Joshua Tree. Photos copyright © Jess Lee.
