2024 Grand Canyon Rafting Photography Retreat
DATES: August 25-September 2, 2024
BEGINS: At 5:30 p.m. on August 25.
ENDS: Around 11:00 a.m. on September 2. Arrival times at Cliff Dwellers Lodge vary based on the flight schedules out of Bar 10 Ranch. Due to possible delays beyond our control, we recommend making flights home no earlier than 6 pm on Monday or better yet, Tuesday.
COST: $4695/person
DEPOSIT: $500/person
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately strenuous. Best suited for active, sure-footed participants who are capable of hiking up to three-miles round-trip on uneven, rocky, and uphill terrain while carrying a limited amount of their gear in heat. All outings are optional, and those with limited mobility or physical restrictions can opt to stay closer to the raft.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 15 people (co-ed); Spouses, significant others, friends, and family members who are not photographers are welcome to join this trip as paid participants.
RETREAT DESCRIPTION
Are you ready for THE trip and photographic adventure of a lifetime?
Join professional outdoor photographer and instructor Colleen Miniuk on this 9-day photography retreat, where we'll spend 8 days/7 nights exploring the Colorado River as it weaves its way through the majestic Grand Canyon on a motorized, single-boat private charter with the best commercial guides on the river, Hatch River Expeditions.
We'll kick off this grand journey with an introductory online/virtual pre-trip presentation on August 18. To help you prepare and make beautiful images of your journey through the canyon's embrace, Colleen will cover specific techniques such as (but not limited to):
Balancing a faster “grab-n-go” pace while shooting from the raft with a more leisurely contemplative approach from the shore
Identifying effective lighting conditions (shadow and highlight)
Composing for scale, balance, and visual impact
Telling a compelling visual story through single and multiple images
Then, we'll meet up at the Cliff Dwellers Lodge on August 25 for a casual celebratory group dinner. On the morning of August 26, we'll pack our gear into dry bags (provided) and then travel with Hatch to the put-in at Lee's Ferry. From there, we'll explore 188-miles (to Whitmore Wash) by boat and foot, chasing the light and marveling at ancient ruins, slot canyons, waterfalls, and exhilarating white-water rapids through each of our own lenses. No two days on the river are alike! We'll balance fun activities like splashing in waterfalls and hiking to ancient ruins with our photography pursuits.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have expectations that we'll be "nailing" iconic locations like Nankoweap, Little Colorado River, Elves Chasm, Deer Creek Falls, etc. in "perfect" lighting conditions, this is not the trip for you. While I work closely with our boatmen to arrange visits at classic and lesser-known photogenic locations in the best light possible, our 8-day itinerary will simply not enable us to see it all at its best (we'd need years and years for that...). Due to the spontaneity of a multitude of variables outside our control, we cannot guarantee stops at any specific location during this trip. Besides, I philosophically believe making creative, storytelling, and meaningful images comes from within and incorporates, but does not depend, on external factors like location, weather, seasons, etc. A great photographer can make the most in every lighting situation and in any location, not just the iconic ones...and that's exactly what we'll be learning how to do--and doing--on this trip! And because of the spontaneity, each photography retreat is different from year to year!**
Along the way, we'll enjoy spectacular camps on beaches or ledges while dining on delectable meals like eggs benedict and bacon, burritos, chicken and tuna salad sandwiches, ribeye steaks, pork chops, homemade mashed potatoes...and divine desserts like chocolate cake, Oreo pudding, and cheesecake! Although we'll work together as a team to set up our camp each night using a "fire line," our personally-selected Hatch boatman and swamper know just how to spoil us for our efforts.
Then, on the morning of September 2, our group will be helicoptered out to Bar 10 Ranch, where we'll then board a small plane and return to Marble Canyon late morning to conclude the retreat.
This is more than a photography trip! It’s a life-changing, immersive experience!
To get an idea of what you might see and experience, visit Colleen's private gallery of photographs from her previous trips: https://colleenminiuk.photoshelter.com/gallery/Grand-Canyon-Rafting-Trips/G00002rh7EF5Qo9c (use password: rivertime). This will be Colleen's 9th trip in 9 years!
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS PER THE OUTFITTER:
“We are happy to accommodate a wide range of physical challenges and medical conditions. Neither previous whitewater experience nor swimming ability is required. Being in good physical condition will enhance your enjoyment of the trip. Here are some minimum requirements you must be able to meet to safely enjoy your journey:
Ability to hold onto the raft while going through whitewater. Ropes are provided throughout the raft for hand holds.
Capable of climbing onto and off of the raft. There will be about a 2-3-foot step up/down from the raft to the beaches. Please note that some surfaces may be wet and slippery.
Comfortable walking on uneven terrain. Trails in Grand Canyon are not regularly maintained. Also sand beaches are the norm for camp sites so make sure you are comfortable walking across the sandy inclines.
Able to carry your own personal gear to and from camp. The maximum weight for personal gear is 25 pounds.”
RETREAT INCLUDES:
Pre-trip orientation webinar on August 18, 2024. This session will review critical details about gear, packing, and what our days will be like on the river, both logistically and photographically, ahead of time (you know, in case we need to buy anything last minute…). If you cannot make this time, no worries! I will record the presentation and send it out to the group afterwards.
Complimentary night stay on August 25th at Cliff Dwellers Lodge (double occupancy; limited single occupancy available upon request for $120 extra. Contact Colleen directly to determine availability.)
Your dinner and drinks on the evening of August 25th at Cliff Dwellers Lodge
Breakfast on the morning of August 26th at Cliff Dwellers Lodge
Special single-boat charter trip strictly limited to 15 participants (most motorized commercial trips are two boats, or 32 people)
Two first-class Hatch River Expedition river guides, who will share insights about the geology, history, and river legends (some of which might be true!) along our entire journey
Hatch coffee mug
All meals and beverages during rafting trip (except for sodas and alcohol)
All camping gear while on the river: camp chair, three-person tent for two people, camp cot, sleep kit (ground cloth, sleeping bag, pillow and twin flat sheet)
The use of two Hatch dry bags--one day bag and one overnight bag--to store personal belongings while on the river
Helicopter ride out of the Canyon from Whitmore Wash to Bar 10 Ranch on September 2
Fixed wing plane ride from Bar 10 Ranch to either Marble Canyon, Las Vegas, or Page (your choice) on September 2
Overnight parking for the duration of the trip at Marble Canyon at the Hatch facilities next to Cliff Dwellers
Grand Canyon National Park permit & park entrance fees
An invitation to join the closed "CMS Photography: Workshop Alumni Forum" Facebook group after the trip
RETREAT EXCLUDES:
Transportation to/from the Cliff Dwellers Lodge in Marble Canyon
Personal gear - clothing/photographic
Soda and alcohol during the rafting trip (you may purchase your own either on your own or through Cliff Dwellers Lodge)
Guide gratuity for the boatman and swamper (recommend 8-10% of trip cost)
Trip insurance
SOLD OUT
Please email Colleen for waitlist
CANCELLATION POLICY
Exclusive to this Trip
All cancellations must be provided in writing. Due to the nature of this trip, the retreat fee is non-refundable. Should you need to cancel at any time, if your vacated spot happens to fill prior to the retreat, then a full refund of all monies paid will be granted, minus a $250 administrative fee.
Any requests to transfer a participants registration to another CMS Photography workshop will be treated as a cancellation. The above policy will dictate which monies, if any, shall transfer.
There are no exceptions to this policy. CMS Photography strongly encourages you to purchase trip insurance immediately upon placing your deposit to protect yourself in the event of unexpected circumstances preventing you from attending our workshops.
Should CMS Photography be required to cancel the workshop due to COVID-19 restrictions or otherwise (travel, park closures, etc.), registrant will have the option of transferring workshop payment to a future CMS Photography Grand Canyon rafting retreat.
TESTIMONIAL FROM PAST ATTENDEES
“Even though I had rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon three times before, the opportunity to go with Colleen on her photography retreat, prompted me to go a fourth time. I am so very happy I made that decision. It was my best trip EVER down the river!! Colleen and Hatch River Expeditions did an excellent job of planning every last detail, as well as assuring the group had an amazing and safe adventure. The Grand Canyon is a tough subject to photograph well, but Colleen was right there to provide suggestions and feedback. I captured some amazing images, met a great group of people (called Hatchlings), had the adventure of a lifetime, and may have to go with Colleen again!!” ~Judy G. (2023)
“I loved the remote travel into the Grand Canyon via raft. I learned a lot from all the photography tips and sessions.” ~Toni F. (2023)
"My wife and I had a great time on the 8-day Grand Canyon rafting trip with Colleen. I got to experiment with "new-for-me" photography techniques such as HDR, shooting the Milky Way, long exposure photos of waterfalls and rapids, and using a new GoPro to video the rapids. The sights, food, campsites, guides, and photo instruction were all excellent. Hatch is the best! Colleen rocks!" ~Larry K. (2019)
"Epic experience. Colleen and the Hatch guides (Lars and Zach) helped make the experience one to remember. My photography skills improved tremendously due to Colleen's guided approach to capturing the beauty. I highly recommend a rafting retreat." ~ Naomi F. (2017)
"What's great about this rafting retreat is everyone is a photographer. You don't have to worry about being pressured by others to hurry up already with getting your photos. Everything is taken care of for you, what more can you ask for!"~ Angela R. (2017)
"The canyon was sublime, the people became family and Colleen led us with skill and humor. The trip of a life-time." ~ Bob T. (2018)
"There are two overwhelmingly motivators for this trip; (1) the beauty of the Grand Canyon and (2) the knowledge and personality of the leader-Colleen."~ Ellen C. (2018)
"The Colorado River Rafting Workshop with Colleen and Hatch is an exhilarating, life-altering opportunity to photograph one of the most challenging landscapes in the world. The challenge, for me, is how to balance the grandeur of size with the moments of canyon intimacy, the harshness of ancient rock with the softness of sand, the unrelenting aggression of a wave slapping your face with the tranquil lull of sun-kissed water. I guess I’ll have to go again. And again." ~ Mary G. (2019)
"An adventure of a lifetime...the vistas and opportunities are endless. Love Colleen's "teaching / mentoring" style -- she encourages me to go out of my photographic comfort zone."~ Mary G. (2017 and 2018)
"My wife went the year before and talked about it incessantly. Turns out she was right in every respect. A great photographic adventure!!" ~ Mike S. (2018)
"Everyone should have a float trip through the Grand Canyon on their "bucket list" and Colleen's photography workshop is a great way to do it." ~Byron C. (2019)
"Only 27,000 people a year get to see eternity--and I urge you to be one of them."~ Paul S. (2018)