DESERT SOUTHWEST DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

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

APRIL 10 - 16, 2027

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 7 day/6 night 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 where the scenes are pristine. Simply put, nobody besides Destination Earth is offering these locations!

This trip itinerary has us staying in comfortable accommodations near our locations to keep us close 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: SCOTT JON MCCOOK & KANE ENGELBERT                

GROUP SIZE: 8 PARTICIPANTS

COST: $5250 USD

INCLUDED: 6 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 April 10 we will gather at our hotel in Hanksville where we will spend the next 7 days. Here we will 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 only had any names. Through our own extensive scouting driving down winding dirt roads have these hidden gems been discovered and photographed. During our down time we will be teaching participants how best to use Google Earth to scout locations from the air and also help with post processing images in both Lightroom and Photoshop.

Our last day together will be April 16 with a sunrise session and participants should plan to travel home anytime after that. All hotel rooms 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 INSTRUCTORS

SCOTT JON MCCOOK

Scott Jon is an internationally awarded fine art aerial photographer based in Western Australia, known for capturing bold, abstract landscapes from the air. His work focuses on salt lakes, remote deserts, rugged coastlines, and industrial sites across Australia and New Zealand. Using helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft like the Cessna 206, Scott documents these places with a painterly sense of composition and light.

What sets Scott’s work apart is his ability to find beauty in overlooked or altered places. From the air, familiar terrain becomes unfamiliar, revealing unexpected textures and patterns. Whether flying at 3000 feet in a light aircraft or hovering low over a lakebed with a drone, Scott creates imagery that blurs the line between reality and art.

His fine art prints are collected globally and have been recognised as winners in multiple international landscape photography awards. His images are especially known for transforming sites like tailings ponds and salt flats into thought-provoking artworks that tell stories about the land and how we interact with it.

Scott’s aerial journey began not with drones but with the open skies of Western Australia, flying in Cessnas and helicopters to document vast and remote terrain. Over time, drones were introduced as a complementary tool, allowing more flexibility and access at lower altitudes. Together, these platforms form the foundation of his unique visual style. With more than a decade spent in the air, Scott has built a career on finding stillness, structure, and story from above. His approach is instinctual and refined, drawing on a deep understanding of light, topography, and timing. Each image is more than a scene — it’s a moment of perspective. Scott shares his knowledge and process through aerial photography workshops across Western Australia and New Zealand. These immersive experiences are designed to help photographers master aerial composition, camera technique, and environmental awareness, whether shooting from a plane or with a drone.

Scott regularly presents at public seminars and creative events, offering insight into his editing workflow, artistic philosophy, and field strategies. These sessions are packed with practical advice and behind-the-scenes stories from his aerial assignments. At the heart of Scott’s work is a love for showing people a different perspective — not just visually, but emotionally. His images focus less on grand, dramatic gestures and more on subtle geometry, abstract form, and natural rhythm. He believes in the power of photography to reshape how we engage with place. A salt lake becomes a canvas. A mining site becomes a question. A cloud shadow over red earth becomes a fleeting sculpture of light. These are the quiet moments Scott lives for. Through Scott Jon Aerial Art, he invites viewers to see the extraordinary in the everyday and to explore the possibilities of flight, creativity, and connection.

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.

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 $500 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.