Join Erica and Armando from Tamron Americas, alongside guide Kialo Winters of Navajo Tours USA, on an amazing photography workshop in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. Located in the San Juan Basin in northwest New Mexico, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is home to incredible rock formations made of sandstone, coal, shale, and silt. Through weathering, the rock landscape became sculpted into the beautiful formations we seek out to photograph.  During this workshop we will be guided through remote locations of the Bisti Badlands to photograph highlights such as the Valley of Dreams, the Giant Mushroom, the Egg Hatchery, and more, during sunsets, blue hours, sunrises, and dark night skies.

Traveling with Navajo Tours USA, we are invited to learn indigenous history, and share in a human experience. We stress here how important it is to be respectful of both our guides and the land we are being shown. We will tread with safety, and practice "leave no trace".

Your Tamron Staff:

Erica Robinson  (Technical Representative) has 13 years of photography experience and a degree in the Arts. Erica has worked as a wedding photographer in Boston, a cruise-line photographer, and provided technical knowledge through a local camera store. Becoming a proficient world traveler, she focuses on travel photography and storytelling, providing education through workshops and inspiring others to accomplish their photography goals. Her photos can be found at Erica Robinson Photo. 

Armando Flores (Technical Representative) interests in photography started back in high school, with a 35mm film camera. He studied photojournalism in college and worked at a camera store to support his photo habit. Photography enabled him to travel while attending large media events where he met many interesting people. He photographed professional sports for over 17 years and loves being at the forefront of new technology. He is passionate about lending a hand to the aspiring photographer.

Your Guides:

Kialo Winters 

Kialo is Diné and Zia. He lives on the Navajo reservation with his wife and three children. He worked as a classroom teacher for 15 years. He spends his free time with friends and family. He enjoys photography, biking and running. He has a Bachelor's degree in Education. More details about, Kialo,  and his team at, Navajo Tours USA, can be found here. 

Gilbert Tsinnajinnie

Gilbert Tsinnajinnie is Diné and Zia. He has extensive experience in community agricultural planning. He works as a consultant to community agricultural groups throughout the Navajo reservation. He has an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Central New Mexico college.

This workshop has a higher level of required physical activity than others. Although hiking experience is not required, we will be walking anywhere from 2-5 miles per day on rocky terrain, carrying our own personal camera equipment, and at a higher-than-average elevation. You know yourself best, so please come prepared for an active event! Below you will see the daily activity details:

Day 1: 2.5 Miles ; 6,198’ elevation ; 193’ elevation gain

Day 2: 5 miles ; 5,771' elevation ; 65’ elevation gain

Day 3: TBD miles ; 5,492’ elevation ; 93’ elevation gain 

If arriving early into the Farmington area or staying past the workshop dates, we hope you enjoy all there is to explore in the area! Please be sure to research rules, restrictions, costs, permits if applicable and driving details. See suggestions listed below: 

• Aztec Ruins National Monument (22 minutes from host hotel) 

• Cox Canyon Arch (47 minutes from host hotel) 

• Octopus Arch (40 minutes from host hotel) 

• Navajo Lake State Park (40 minutes from host hotel) 

• Aztec UFO Crash Site (40 minutes from host hotel) 

• Salmon Ruins Museum (10 minutes from host hotel) 

• Chaco Culture National Historic Park ( 1 hour 20 minutes from host hotel) 

• Angel Peak Badlands Overlook (30 minutes from host hotel) 

Safety 

Your enjoyment is our priority on this workshop which also means your safety is of the utmost importance to us. During this workshop we will be exploring some of the most beautiful areas in Navajo Nation, and to access these areas requires a higher physical fitness level. Each day of this workshop we will be on our feet for multiple hours, walking and hiking at an elevation potentially different than your homes natural altitude. At times there will be uneven terrain. Please see below: 

Day 1: 2.5 Miles ; 6,198’ elevation ; 193’ elevation gain 

Day 2: 5 miles ; 5,771 elevation’ ; 65’ elevation gain 

Day 3: TBD miles ; 5,492’ elevation ; 93’ elevation gain 

During photo sessions in low light and dark sky hours, please stay with the group and keep an eye on one another. You must notify one of the workshop leaders if you venture away from the group. Our wilderness tours will be lead by Kialo Winters of Navajo Tours USA. During the entirety of these tours we will be following “Leave-No-Trace” practices, leaving the land exactly how we visited. You must leave all ruins, rock art, and artifacts the way they were found. Please be advised there is little cell phone service in the hiking areas. 

Weather 

The average daily temperatures in New Mexico during the month of June vary from daytime highs of 85° (or higher) to nighttime lows of 60° (or lower). While rain is unlikely, weather can be unpredictable anywhere. Please be prepared for both rain and shine. *See Packing List on next page. 

Equipment (*required):

• *DSLR/Mirrorless Camera body with multiple batteries 

• *Lenses : All focal lengths recommended - wide angle, normal, and telephoto. Tamron will be providing loaner lenses. For specific lens requests, please reach out to staff. 

• *Tripod 

• *Memory Cards 

• *Flashlight and/or Headlamp 

• *Sturdy, close-toed walking shoes 

• *Daypack or easy-to-carry camera bag 

• *Laptop to download and backup images 

• Sensor cleaner 

• Circular Polarizer and/or neutral density filters 

• Wired or wireless remote shutter release 

Additional/Clothing/Misc.:

• Dress for cool nights. Recommended: Rain jacket/shell, wind resistant layer, thick “Smartwool” style socks, thermal base layers, light gloves, light hat, “Buff” style neck warmer. 

• Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen 

During the workshop dates, transportation will be provided to and from our home base hotel location to all photography locations. We do not provide transportation to and from the airport, and do not provide transportation outside of the designated workshop dates. Should you choose to travel to the destination early or stay past the allotted workshop dates, you will be responsible for those accommodations and transportations. Contact the host hotel directly to add additional requests to your stay.

Host Hotel:

Home2 Suites by Hilton Farmington/ Bloomfield

Address: 777 S.Browning Pkwy, Farmington, NM 87401

Phone: (505) 325-1500

 Airports: 

Albuquerque International Sunport ABQ - ( Approx. 3 hour drive from Farmington NM) 

Santa Fe Regional Airport SAF - (Approx. 3 hours and 10 minutes from Farmington NM) 

We understand that schedules change and we hope to be as flexible as possible. Should you need to cancel your workshop please see details below for financial obligation:

If cancelled 60 days or more prior to workshop start date - full refund

If cancelled between 31 and 59 days prior to workshop start date - 50% refund

If cancelled 30 days or less prior to the workshop start date - no refund

All cancellations are subject to a $100 change fee. Should Tamron be able to fill your spot, change fee will be applied to a future workshop. Change fee cannot be transferred to another participant.