Sunrise

---

With 35 years experience photographing Utah, particularly the capitol reef and escalante area, I've gained valuable insight I'd love to share. I've trekked all over this area. If "Wild" and "Untamed" is still in your veins, this is the place. It's become my passion to find new hidden treasures that fill the soul with awe. Come get inspired. Visit my website to get a jist of just where I've been and what I do. www.willieholdman.com. I have 2 books I've published on Utah and own a gallery on Park City's main street.  Out of all of Utah this is my favorite place to photograph and conduct photography workshops. This is where  versatility of weather, deserts, and mountains collide! Opportunities are endless in all seasons. Custom photography workshops available.

Artist Statement:

Photographers are visual artists. While a camera, like a pencil or painter's brush, can be usefully employed as a documentary tool, nature photography in itself is not a science. Like a drawing or painting it is a medium of visual expression. The question for visual artists is how clearly we can express our personal vision. The camera has long past the days when it was considered only a documentary device. It is now more than ever a tool for the artist to express himself. My wish is that I am able to express myself through the use of a camera.

At this time it is my desire to do portraits of the Earth, to capture the Earth's personality and true character. To experience this phenomena of nature, we must be attentive to the subject. Just as people only reveal themselves on special occasions for people they know and trust, so too, does the Earth save herself for those who respect her and are willing to make the sacrifice and journey off the beaten path. These revealings don't last long, one must be ready and skillful to capture these moments. The result is a photograph that captures the essence of the Earth that has rarely been seen before that brings a new meaning to fine art photography.

These are up close and personal intimate workshops where only 3 photographers or 6 guest including non photographers are able to participate.

  Transportation will be provided for the photo tours but may ask a participant to also drive. Compensation for fuel will be given. I have room for 3 participants, or up to 6 if you want to share a bed with a spouse.

What's great about the southern Utah desert and Capitol Reef National Park  is the low visitation while the  landscape stays beautiful year round with its red rock canyon walls. You also have aspens and amazing views on boulder mountain minutes away.

Itinerary

day 1: Meet at 10:00 on the plateau for orientation, quick show to get us all thinking about photography, art of seeing, techniques, etc. have lunch on the plateau. Then we find some nice reflected light in the canyons. After capturing  some amazing textures, details and abstracts, we position ourselves for the glorious last light of the day at one of the many vistas that surround the area. As the afterglow ends, we gather back on the plateau for an amazing dinner, and look through our images on a large tv screen for feedback and critique. Some may find comfort in the sauna or wood burning hot tub, while others may gather around the campfire.

day 2: Well of course we have an early breakfast, and head out for a glorious sunrise on the back side of capitol reef. We explore seldom visited areas capturing unique compositions that are only found in these remote places. Often times we make our own lunch and eat on the road as we travel from destination to destination. Who wants to stay inside with all this eye candy around? We strategically line ourselves up for  yet another sunset possibly in the badlands or some plateau, depending on how the clouds are shaping up. As the light fades we head back home for dinner for conversation and relaxation.

day 3: By now you all are experts and I start to follow you around! Depending on the season and what's going on we may head up boulder mountain, 9,600 feet, where the views are off the charts! Since we are near the town of boulder, we may make ourselves down the burr trail and photograph incredible balancing rocks or possibly calf creek falls. Again taking our lunch as to avoid driving all the way back for food. We may also eat in the town of boulder. We head back over to torrey to photograph the reef at sunset at a remote view point that I discovered exploring the area for over 25 years. You'll love it! We head back for dinner. This being our last night, after dinner we can shoot the milky way on the plateau or close by.

DAY 4: This is our last morning together for the photography workshop, so we take it easy and walk out the door to photograph the incredible landscape from the plateau itself. After the photo session we gather in for breakfast, have a share and critique session, and part ways around 11:00. 

4 day workshop cost for teasdale plateau stay: $2000.00-$1,000 for non photography spouse.

Master Bedroom on plateau with king bed, deck, private bathroom: $2200.00-1200.00 for non photography spouse.

To register click on the register button under the final countdown, Or the button below, , or you can Venmo @Willie-Holdman or Zelle 801three7sixeight6four7

Under the notes upon registering select the dates you are interested in attending.

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if not enough people register.

TESTIMONIALS

Hey Willie, I wanted to let you know that your workshop out of the Teasdale Plateau was undoubtedly the best photography-focused days I have spent!  I learned numerous new practical and professional operational skills.  The variety and richness of experiences expanded both my awareness and appreciation of potential subjects, as well as composition options.  I believe it was the best on-the-job training I could have possibly found!.  

The lodging was exceptional, and in a majestic setting with views to inspire!  You were a fantastic and generous host, on top of the photography sessions, and I felt like family in a privileged place!

The whole experience was extremely rewarding.  I discovered I could do things I did not know I could do, I gained skills to last a life time, and I got some great shots! 

 Thank you!

-Brian Aungst

I had the pleasure of participating in Willie’s Teasdale Plateau workshop in March. Willie’s cabin was a wonderful base of operations for our daily outings. Each day started with getting out the door in time for pre-sunrise photos and then photos of the first light hitting spectacular scenery. That was followed with visits to canyons and locations where there were beautiful mid-day photography opportunities. We also learned about how Willie scouts locations and plans for future photography opportunities. Each evening ended in a location for golden hour photos and also photos in the early evening light after the sun has set. Then, back to the cabin for amazing food, provided by Willie, and to bed for some sleep before heading out again the next day. Willie reviewed photos with us from each day so that we learned and, hopefully, improved from day to day. I came away from the experience with increased ability to find, compose, and capture images. More important to me, I came away from the workshop inspired to be a better photographer. Thanks Willie!

Warmest regards,

-Craig

"I attended Willie’s ‘Capitol Reef Autumn Eclipse Workshop’, and had an  awesome experience.  I was a bit anxious going in because I am just a  novice photographer, but I learned so much and everyone (especially  Willie) was patient and kind with my questions and lack of experience.   Willie took us to amazing places—to see and shoot the annular eclipse,  the autumn leaves, the sunrises, sunsets, and even the milky way. Willie  knows the area like the back of his hand, and took us to ‘off the  beaten track’ beautiful places where we did not have to worry about  people wandering into our photos. He also put us up in his beautiful  home up on the plateau, which is a photographer’s dream, in and of  itself"!

-Ellen Liu

My wife and I were lucky enough to attend Willie Holdman's 2023 Capitol Reef Autumn Eclipse Workshop in Southeastern Utah.  We were treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph not only an annular solar eclipse at the Temple of the Sun in Capitol Reef National Park but also much of the landscape around the area, including Boulder Mountain and other awesome locations.  Willie has an incredible knowledge of both the landscape and the seasonal changes.  With Willie as our guide, we were able to get off the beaten path and photograph some truly amazing spots that we would never have found on our own.  Also, the accommodations included with this workshop were great.  Willie has built a fantastic cabin with one of the best views in the region.  I didn't want to leave on the day.  Overall, I would highly recommend one of Willie's photography workshops to any photographer interested in landscape or nature photography.
-Tyler Beard

To those that are thinking about participating in a Teasdale Plateau workshop, Do It!  I recently had the pleasure of participating in one.  Oh, my!  Willie was amazing!  He is so easy to work with and goes out of his way to make sure you have a successful workshop.  His knowledge of photography is unparalleled.  He gave me great insights on how to improve my photos…composition, exposure, lighting, depth, editing, etc.  Each day was an adventure.  His knowledge of the area is impressive.  We went to spectacular places for sunrises, sunsets, and breathtaking views.  Some of the best views are right there from his cabin.  As if that wasn’t enough, the food and lodging put it over the top.  Thank you, Willie, for such a great adventure!

-Shawn winterbottom