Utah Badlands Landscape Photography Workshop

Yes. Every workshop operates under the permits and authorizations required by the land management agency where it takes place, such as the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, or a state park system. TEN SIX also carries liability insurance.

Those permits come with conditions, like where we can go, how large the group can be, and when we can operate, and we follow them. That’s part of why locations and schedules are planned carefully.

Our insurance covers our operations, not your personal health, injury, or travel costs, so we recommend carrying your own coverage.

We strongly recommend it, though it isn’t required. Our cancellation policy offers limited refund options, so travel insurance protects non-refundable fees and travel costs if something unexpected happens, including illness or injury.

Look for trip cancellation and interruption coverage, emergency medical coverage, and medical evacuation, which matters in remote areas. Some policies offer cancel-for-any-reason coverage as an upgrade, which covers cancellations not listed in the policy.

You can buy it from any reputable travel insurance provider. Buy soon after booking, since some coverage options have time limits.

What a policy won’t cover varies, so read the exclusions carefully, especially for pre-existing conditions and cancellations for reasons that aren’t listed. TEN SIX holds the permits and liability insurance required to operate, but that doesn’t cover your health, injury, or travel costs. You’re responsible for your own health and injury coverage for the areas we visit.

TEN SIX Photography (TSP) workshops may involve significant physical demands, including hiking, uneven terrain, extended standing, and navigation in the dark in remote desert, coastal, and mountain locations. Each workshop is assigned a Physical Difficulty Rating from 1 to 5. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to review the rating for their selected workshop and honestly assess whether they can participate safely and comfortably.

How to read the ratings: Figures are totals for a full day, including all sunrise, sunset, and night sessions. Distances are round trip and elevation gain is cumulative uphill. A workshop is rated by whichever measure, distance or elevation gain, falls in the higher level, and the rating reflects its hardest day. Each level’s upper limit is inclusive. Multi-day workshops repeat these demands consecutively. Each workshop page lists its assigned rating.

• Level 1: Easy. Up to 1 mile per day with no meaningful elevation gain. Under 2 hours on foot per day. Suited to participants comfortable with short walks on flat, unpaved paths and relatively level ground. Participants should be able to stand or sit outdoors for extended periods.
• Level 2: Active. Between 1 and 3 miles per day and/or up to 500 feet of elevation gain. Up to 3 hours on foot per day. Suited to participants comfortable with easy walks over mostly flat terrain, gentle slopes, and some uneven ground. No hiking experience needed, but participants should be able to stand outdoors for extended periods.
• Level 3: Moderate. Between 3 and 6 miles per day and/or 500 to 1,000 feet of elevation gain. 3-5 hours on foot per day. Suited to participants who walk or exercise regularly and are comfortable covering several miles and climbing moderate inclines on uneven terrain.
• Level 4: Strenuous. Between 6 and 10 miles per day and/or 1,000 to 2,000 feet of elevation gain. 5-8 hours on foot per day. Suited to participants who hike regularly and are comfortable with long distances, sustained climbs, rocky or sandy trails, and carrying a pack.
• Level 5: Extreme. More than 10 miles per day and/or more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain. 8+ hours on foot per day. Suited to participants in excellent fitness who regularly complete long, demanding hikes and are comfortable with off-trail travel, exposed scrambling, and long days in remote environments.

Time on foot includes walking and photo stops and is an estimate. TSP groups typically move 2-3 mph on trail, and slower on sand, steep or rocky ground, or in the dark.

Session length: Sunrise, sunset, and night sessions may keep you outdoors for multiple hours at any level, including extended standing in the dark and/or extreme weather. Layers, insulated footwear, and a camp chair are strongly recommended.

Conditions that add difficulty: Workshops take place in a variety of locations including but not limited to desert, coastal, and mountain environments, and conditions such as heat, cold, sand, uneven or slippery terrain, altitude, weather, and travel in the dark can make the same distance feel harder. Participants should also expect to carry camera gear, water, and layers throughout each day.

Medical and accommodations: TSP recommends that all participants consult a physician prior to booking, particularly for workshops rated Level 3 or above. TSP cannot make exceptions to the Cancellation Policy for medical reasons. TSP reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request a physician’s statement verifying a participant’s fitness for a given workshop. TSP will make reasonable accommodations for participants with varying abilities where possible, provided they do not compromise the itinerary or the safety of other participants. Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain Travel Insurance. Any participant with active symptoms of a transmissible illness must wear a mask or refrain from joining until symptoms have fully subsided.

Weather and conditions are part of shooting outdoors, and we plan accordingly. If conditions keep us from our primary location, we shoot at an alternate location to make the most of our time. The workshop continues as long as we can teach, though weather can sometimes affect the location, the length, or the date.

Justin watches conditions and makes the call as early as he can. If conditions affect the plan, he’ll reach out personally. If you don’t hear from us, we’re on as planned.

Itinerary changes caused by weather, closures, wildfire, or other conditions outside our control aren’t refundable.

If we have to cancel the workshop itself, for reasons like low enrollment, guide illness, severe weather that poses a significant risk, or government restrictions, we’ll notify everyone promptly and refund all fees paid, excluding non-refundable third-party fees. We aren’t responsible for personal travel costs, which is another reason we strongly recommend travel insurance.

You’ll get a confirmation as soon as you register, followed by emails to collect any additional registration information and your liability waiver. A few days later you’ll get a note on what to expect and how to start preparing.

About a month before a multi-day workshop, we hold a planning call to go over logistics, gear, camera settings, and anything you want to ask.

As the workshop gets closer, your logistics emails share the details you need: the meeting location and time, lodging information, the schedule, and a packing list. You’ll get a detailed reminder about a week out and a short note the day before.

If you have a question at any point, reply to any of these emails.

Life happens. If you need to cancel or change your reservation, email us as soon as you can and we’ll do our best to help. The policy differs by workshop type, and the full details are on our Workshop Policies page.

Multi-day workshops. Changes or cancellations carry a $150 change fee per person. At booking you can pay a 50% deposit or the full amount, and the balance on deposit payments is charged 90 days before departure. If you cancel more than 90 days out, your deposit is refunded once your spot is filled; if it isn’t filled, the deposit can go toward a future workshop within 365 days. Within 90 days, payments can’t be refunded, but if your spot is filled, your payment can be applied to a future workshop within 365 days.

Single-day and overnight workshops. Changes or cancellations carry a $50 change fee per person. More than 30 days out, you receive a full refund minus the fee. Between 30 and 16 days out, you receive a 50% refund minus the fee, and half of the remaining balance can go toward a future workshop within 365 days. Within 15 days, refunds aren’t possible.

If an emergency comes up, tell us right away. The policy doesn’t include a medical exception, so we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers non-refundable fees.

The focus is on why, not on what to copy. Instead of handing you settings to repeat, we work through each scene together so you understand why a choice fits the light, the weather, and the place. That’s what lets you do it again somewhere else, on your own.

The pace is slower on purpose. We work a scene instead of rushing between locations, so you have time to think, try something, and see what changes.

Groups are small, so feedback happens in the field while you’re shooting, not afterward. Instruction is tailored to you, and each photographer is encouraged to find their own image instead of everyone leaving with the same one.

The photos you take at a workshop are yours.

We may photograph, video, or record audio during the workshop and use that media, including participants’ likenesses, in our promotional materials. If you’d rather not be included, tell us in writing before the workshop starts. We may also use written reviews or feedback you send us. If we’d like to feature one of your images or stories, we’ll ask first and credit you.

Yes. Many people arrive a day early to settle in and start rested, or stay a day or two after the workshop to keep shooting. Lodging included with the workshop covers the workshop nights only. For extra nights, your logistics emails will tell you where the group is staying so you can check availability there.

Some workshops also offer an optional add-on either before or after the main workshop, with lodging included and very limited space. If you’re interested, ask us when you register.

Non-photographers are welcome to join you, such as a spouse, partner, or significant other. Additional fees apply, and some workshops may have limits because of transportation or land management restrictions on group size, so ask us before you book and we’ll confirm space.

If you register together, you’re guaranteed to share a room on workshops that include lodging.

Workshops are open to adults 18 and older, and we don’t accept minors as participants at this time.

Pets aren’t permitted. If you have a service animal, contact us before booking and we’ll talk through accommodations, which may include a private tour or an alternate group assignment.

Most workshops don’t include meals, so you can eat what and where you prefer. We build time for meals into the schedule, and you can eat on your own or join others in the group. We generally have at least one group meal, either on the last night or the last morning of each workshop. When a workshop does include meals, the workshop page lists which ones.

If meals are included, we’ll ask about any dietary restrictions or allergies when you register so we can plan around them.

Even when meals aren’t included, plan to carry water and snacks for your sessions, especially in remote areas where food options are limited.

Most days follow the light. We shoot at sunrise and again through sunset, with the middle of the day left for rest, meals, and on some workshops a classroom or editing session. Sunrise means an early start, and evening sessions can run into darkness. Exact times depend on the season and location, and you’ll have them ahead of time.

Multi-day workshops typically start in the afternoon of the first day and end after sunrise on the last day. Your logistics emails and the workshop page list the exact meeting time and place.

Sunrise and sunset sessions are the core of the workshop. Midday outings and late-night sessions are optional, so you can use that time to rest.

The schedule is a plan, not a promise. Light and weather decide where we shoot and when, so we adjust as conditions change, and Justin makes the call. You’ll get the plan on your planning call and in your logistics emails, and Justin will reach out personally if conditions affect it. If you don’t hear from us, we’re on as planned.

Plan your travel with some buffer. The last sunrise session runs into the morning, and lodging checkout comes after that, so avoid booking a flight or a long drive that leaves early on the final day. If you want extra time, arriving the day before is an easy way to start rested.

All skill levels are welcome. You don’t need to be an expert or know your camera inside out. You do need a camera with manual controls and a willingness to spend long days on your feet outdoors.

Beginners learn how to set up their camera, read light, and make confident exposure decisions. Experienced photographers get more from composition, light, and workflow, and we go deeper into advanced techniques when the group is ready for them. Groups are small, so instruction adapts to the people in it.

By the end, you’ll understand why you’re choosing each setting, not just which ones. That means you can repeat the approach on your own, at any location, in conditions we never practiced.

Safety planning is part of every workshop. Our vehicles carry a first aid kit that goes beyond the basics, including supplies for trauma and bleeding control, along with offline maps and vehicle recovery gear.

Many of the places we shoot are remote, with limited or no cell coverage. We carry a Garmin inReach satellite communicator for SOS and messaging, vehicle-mounted Starlink for internet, and two-way radios to stay in touch between vehicles. In an emergency, we call 911 first and use the inReach SOS if a call can’t go through.

For each area we operate in, we have an emergency evacuation plan that identifies the nearest hospital and emergency services, so we know where to go before we need to.

We also strongly recommend carrying your own travel insurance that includes medical and evacuation coverage. In remote areas, an evacuation can be costly.

Every workshop has a Physical Difficulty Rating, from Easy to Extreme, based on the hardest day of the workshop. Our Physical Difficulty FAQ explains each level, including daily distance, elevation gain, and time on foot, so start there to see where your workshop falls.

Beyond the numbers, expect uneven, sandy, rocky, or slippery ground, and plan to carry your camera gear, water, and layers. Heat, cold, altitude, weather, and walking in the dark can make the same distance feel harder, and sunrise, sunset, and night sessions can keep you outdoors for four hours or more.

Pick a workshop that matches how you hike now, and talk with your doctor before booking, especially for Moderate and above. If you have a medical condition or physical limitation, tell us before you book. We’ll make reasonable accommodations where we can, as long as they don’t compromise the itinerary or the safety of the group.

The cancellation policy doesn’t include a medical exception, so we strongly recommend travel insurance.

We keep a few ground rules so everyone stays safe and the places we visit stay as we found them.

• Participants must be 18 or older.
• Leave no trace. Stay on existing routes, trails, or durable surfaces, pack out all trash including micro-trash, and don’t build fires unless they’re explicitly authorized.
• Don’t collect or disturb rocks, plants, fossils, or cultural or archaeological materials, and keep your distance from any cultural or historic site you come across.
• No alcohol or other impairing substances during active parts of the workshop, including hiking, night shooting, and driving.
• Pets aren’t permitted. If you have a service animal, contact us before booking so we can talk through accommodations.
• No firearms or other weapons, other than ordinary pocket tools. Bear spray is permitted.
• Drones are your responsibility. You need your own FAA registration and any required agency authorization, drones aren’t covered by our permits or insurance, and we may prohibit drone use at any location or time.

The full details are in the waiver you sign after registering and on our Workshop Policies page.

Editing instruction is part of the workshop. We focus on building a clean, natural workflow in Lightroom, starting with the basics and going further into more advanced techniques when the group is ready. Sessions are relaxed and collaborative, and they include image critiques.

Editing sessions are held over Google Meet, even on multi-day workshops, so they can be recorded and shared with you afterward. That means you can revisit anything later.

Astro workshops also include access to our Astro Editing Essentials course.

What to bring. A camera with manual controls, ideally mirrorless or DSLR, and lenses that cover roughly 14mm to 200mm. For night sky work, a fast, wide lens around f/2.8 or faster helps. You’ll also want a sturdy tripod, fully charged batteries and spares, plenty of memory cards, and a headlamp with a red light setting.

What’s optional. Filters such as a polarizer or ND, a remote shutter or intervalometer for star trails and time-lapses, a laptop if you want to follow along with editing, and a drone. If you plan to bring a drone, check with us first, since some areas restrict them.

You don’t need the latest gear. Equipment you know how to use quickly will serve you better than equipment you’re still learning. Your logistics emails include a full gear and packing list for your workshop.

Lodging isn’t included with every workshop, so check the workshop page to see whether yours includes it. When it does, lodging covers the nights of the workshop. We usually stay in a hotel and sometimes in an Airbnb, and we share the exact lodging details in your logistics emails.

For workshops that include lodging, the base price includes double occupancy, meaning you’ll share a room with another participant. If you’d rather have your own room, you can add single occupancy at registration for an additional cost. If you’re coming with a friend or partner, you can share a room.

Justin Northcraft leads every workshop. He has been photographing since 2006 and teaches landscape and astrophotography as one connected skill set, with the focus on why a decision works for the scene in front of you, not on copying settings.

Groups are capped at 8 participants. That keeps instruction personal: you get real time with the instructor in the field, and room to find your own image instead of copying someone else’s.