Trip Report: The Great Southwest: Grand Landscapes Tour - March 2025

Southwest Odyssey: A Photographer’s Journey Across the Colorado Plateau

There’s a certain magic that lingers in the air of the American Southwest-a sense of timelessness, of ancient stone shaped by wind and water, of light that transforms the land from moment to moment. Our recent 9-day “Great Southwest: Grand Landscape Tour” was an immersive journey across this extraordinary region, inviting photographers to experience and capture the soul of the Colorado Plateau.

Chasing Light in Zion 

Our odyssey began in the heart of Zion National Park, where sheer sandstone cliffs rise dramatically from the valley floor, and the Virgin River winds its way through a labyrinth of canyons. From the first sunrise, the group was entranced by the interplay of color and shadow. Early mornings found us along the riverbanks, capturing the Watchman bathed in golden light and mirrored in the calm water below. The hush of dawn was broken only by the click of shutters and the quiet excitement of witnessing the park come alive.

As the sun climbed, we ventured deeper into the heart of the canyon, exploring iconic spots as well as lesser-known gems. The diversity of Zion’s landscapes challenged us to think creatively-one moment we were shooting grand vistas from high plateaus, the next we were focused on intimate details: the curve of a cottonwood branch, the play of sunlight on red rock, the textures in the river’s flow.

Zion quickly became a classroom as well as a canvas. Group members shared tips on composition, experimented with filters, and compared notes on exposure settings. The camaraderie was palpable, with everyone eager to help each other capture the best possible images. Evenings were spent reviewing shots, discussing what worked, and planning for the next day’s adventures.

Hoodoo Dreams in Bryce Canyon 

Leaving Zion’s lush canyons behind, we climbed in elevation and entered the surreal world of Bryce Canyon National Park. Here, the landscape seems almost alien-thousands of hoodoos rise in intricate clusters, their orange and cream hues shifting with the changing light. Our first sunrise at Bryce was unforgettable. We gathered in the pre-dawn chill, watching as the amphitheater slowly filled with light, each hoodoo catching the sun’s rays and casting long, dramatic shadows.

Bryce offered endless compositional opportunities. Some participants focused on wide-angle landscapes, capturing the vastness of the amphitheaters, while others sought out abstract patterns and close-up details among the spires. We hiked down into the maze of hoodoos, discovering narrow passageways and hidden alcoves where light bounced in unexpected ways.

Sunsets at Bryce were equally magical. The sky would ignite in shades of pink and purple, and the hoodoos seemed to glow from within. We lingered long after the sun had dipped below the horizon, capturing the subtle shift from golden hour to blue hour, and savoring the peace that comes with the end of a day well spent.

Sandstone Curves and Desert Mysteries in Page 

Our journey continued southeast, descending through layers of rock and time toward Page, Arizona. Here, the landscape changed again-broad desert vistas, sculpted sandstone, and the winding path of the Colorado River. One of the highlights was our visit to Horseshoe Bend, a place where the river makes a dramatic 270-degree turn, carving a perfect arc through the stone. We arrived in time to catch the changing light, experimenting with different vantage points and panoramic techniques to capture the full sweep of the bend.

But Page held even more surprises. Our guided exploration of Antelope Canyon X was a true adventure. Entering the narrow slot canyon, we were greeted by shafts of sunlight filtering through the cracks above, illuminating the sculpted walls in shades of orange, red, and purple. The challenge of shooting in such a unique environment-balancing exposure, managing crowds, and finding the right angles-pushed us to new creative heights. The resulting images were nothing short of magical, capturing the canyon’s ethereal glow and the sense of wonder found in its depths.

Evenings in Page were spent sharing stories and reviewing images, with the desert night sky providing a stunning backdrop. Some participants even tried their hand at night photography, capturing the Milky Way rising above the sandstone formations-a fitting nod to the Southwest’s reputation as a haven for stargazers.

Awe at the Edge: The Grand Canyon 

No matter how many times you’ve seen it in photos or on film, nothing prepares you for the first glimpse of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. For the final part of our tour, we explored this natural wonder from multiple viewpoints, each offering a new perspective on its immense scale and layered beauty.

Sunrise at the rim was a spiritual experience. We watched in silence as the first light crept across the canyon, revealing its endless ridges and shadowed depths. Throughout the day, we chased the changing light, moving from overlook to overlook, experimenting with wide-angle shots to capture the canyon’s vastness and telephoto lenses to isolate patterns and textures in the rock.

The group found moments of quiet reflection as well as bursts of excitement when the light and clouds aligned just right. The Grand Canyon challenged us to think big-to compose images that conveyed not just the scale, but the emotion of standing on the edge of something truly timeless.

Memories Made, Images Captured 

As our journey came to a close, we gathered one last time to share our favorite images and reflect on the experience. The camaraderie that had grown over nine days was as memorable as the landscapes themselves. We swapped stories, traded editing tips, and celebrated the creative risks we’d taken together.

The Southwest had challenged us, rewarded us, and left us eager for more. We returned home with memory cards full of images, but more importantly, with a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper connection to the wild heart of the Colorado Plateau.