DRONE SECRETS OF THE DESERT SOUTHWEST

Photograph the Utah Badlands via drone from above where the scenes will expand your horizons and the images will blow your mind

A DESTINATION EARTH PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

MARCH 27 - APRIL 1, 2026

The landscapes in the deserts of Utah are unlike anywhere on earth. What many see as just dirt lies thousand foot high buttes, deep canyons, and vibrant colors of the sedimentary layers that rival a rainbow. This area is best photographed one way: from the air. Where the erosion over the millennia is revealed in an incredible arrangement of veins, patterns, brain rock, and abstract art land formations that is hard to comprehend. Only by standing there on the earth itself can you get a taste of it, but the real surprise happens when flying above it all and seeing what is revealed in real time on the screen.

On this 6 day Photography Workshop we will take you beyond the standard vistas and into off-road canyons to get up close and personal with hidden gems that are rarely photographed. Some never before by anyone besides our very knowledgeable guides now willing to share their secrets of the desert. The drone photography here is unparalleled and goes way beyond the Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte, and the Mars area. The area is expansive with many new locations rich in compositions that only our guides know well. We will get you deep into the Badlands with no ATV tracks in sight and the scenes are pristine. Simply put, nobody besides Destination Earth is offering these locations!

This trip will be a mix of camping and staying in cabins to keep us as close as possible and minimize our driving as much as possible even though we will still be covering a lot of ground. All throughout you will be provided with expert instruction on how best to use your drone, get on top of subjects, create depth in the scene, and capture the light and interesting compositions. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune those photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping clients create a portfolio of images they are excited and proud of is priority number one on all of our workshops (along with having a good time).

INSTRUCTORS: CHRIS BYRNE & KANE ENGELBERT                

GROUP SIZE: 8 PARTICIPANTS

COST: $3950 USD

INCLUDED: 3 Nights Camping (Tent provided), 3 Nights Hotel (Single Occupancy)

NOT INCLUDED: Camera Equipment, Drone, Flights, Travel Insurance, Rental Car

DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit is required to secure a spot with the final balance due 90 days prior to workshop.

ITINERARY

On March 27 we will gather in Goblin Valley State Park for our first part of the workshop where we will be camping for three nights. Using this as our home base we will be providing tents, sleeping pads, and delicious camp meals. We have chosen Goblin Valley for its photogenic landscapes and also its proximity to other incredible formations. From there we will make our way to Hanksville and spend three more nights staying in comfortable cabins. Once again be on the doorstep of unique and vast desert scenes that can only best be captured from the air. We could list a number of locations that we plan to visit if they had any names! Only through extensive scouting by our guides down winding dirt roads and on google earth have these hidden gems been discovered and photographed. Our last night together will be on April 1, with lodging included that evening. We will have a sunrise session on April 2 and participants should plan to travel home anytime after that. All tents and cabins will be single occupancy.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

A week exploring the desert badlands and the unique geology revealed by countless years of erosion in what feels like the land before time. The only way to truly explore and photograph this phenomenon is by the air using a drone. We will be driving you throughout the badlands down roads that will make you question just where in the world we are going. But all will make sense when you get that camera in the air and witness the remarkable patterns and canyons in the earth and try to make sense of it all photographically. There will be early mornings and late evenings and days spent doing exploratory missions in our off road vehicles and by air, killing some batteries with our drones. All of this to get images that you have likely never seen before from the wonders of the desert southwest.

The field sessions are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. In the field techniques and tips will be provided to help capture images correctly "in camera" with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of landscape and nature photography. Post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into Lightroom to processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. Our guides are an open book and willing to share any tips or tricks they’ve learned to help you turn your photographs into art!

MEET THE GUIDES

CHRIS BYRNE

Hello there! I’m Chris Byrne and I spent way too many years aimlessly wandering the earth and working for the man before finding my true passion in nature and landscape photography. My love of nature started very early in life as I would study the photographs in my dad’s huge collection of National Geographics, and also spend as much time as I could out exploring in the woods with my younger brother. Fast forward many years and after getting a finance degree in college I went to work in the stock market for over fifteen years. During my time, I saw first hand two of the most devastating financial crises in our country’s history, and after the second go around I completely lost interest in my profession and desperately needed something more. I found myself in a place in life without any inspiration or excitement for what I was doing.

Then on a trip to Glacier, Montana I rediscovered my love of nature. However, the photographs I was trying to get just didn’t do the place any justice. It was then that I decided to get serious about photography and poured all of myself into the craft, learning as much as possible as quickly as I could. I was a sponge and had a new passion for life! When I became proficient in my skills, I wanted to share my knowledge with others. Now I lead workshops to some of the best places on the globe.

Along the way I’ve won a few awards, but with so many contests out there, I wouldn’t claim that’s a good judge of a good teacher. Rather I am proud to be able to inspire others and spend as much time as I possibly can with each person in helping them connect with nature while teaching the techniques to capture the images that they want to create. Seeing people make breakthroughs in their art is something that I cherish. I truly believe that nature is good for the soul. The more you explore, the more you will be inspired. 

KANE ENGELBERT

I'm Kane Engelbert, and I currently reside in Denver, Colorado. Travel and adventure are my life’s calling, driving me from the rugged trails of Colorado to the vast expanses of deserts, lush forests, and beyond, as I explore the globe in search of my next thrill. As a self-taught photographer, my journey is reflected in my work showcasing years of trial, error, and personal growth. While I draw inspiration from many places, my style remains distinctly my own with each photograph capturing the essence of a moment that felt just right.

Landscape photography is more than a passion for me; it’s my life mission. My goal is to transport my family, friends, and followers away from their everyday routines into moments of serene beauty. If my images can captivate your attention, even briefly, then I feel accomplished. I invite you to join me on this journey. Sit back, absorb the visuals, and let the scenery speak to you. www.kaephotography.com

CANCELLATION POLICY & TRAVEL INSURANCE - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. In the event of emergency where Chris cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend getting travel insurance to cover such costs. Two companies that we recommend are Ripcord and Squaremouth.

A $200 change fee will be charged for changes or cancellations. Participants who cancel prior to 90 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Any cancellations within 90 days of the workshop cannot be refunded under any circumstances. Only if we are able to fill the vacancy, will the participant will receive a credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Workshop credits are good for one calendar year from the date of the missed workshop. If a desired replacement workshop is sold out, we will work with you on the credit.

Any cancellations within 30 days of the workshop (for any reason) will forfeit their entire registration fee as it is extremely difficult to fill the space on that short of notice. If a true emergency arises last minute we will do our best to work with you granting a partial credit towards a future workshop, but this is not guaranteed. Again travel insurance is strongly recommended.