Raptor

Hi Photo Bugs,
I am beyond excited to be taking my first trip to Moab the first week of June. I want to hook up with a local photographer for obvious reasons. Don't want to waste time or get lost in the maze. I have reached out to one who posted on Moab website but have not heard back yet. I am a hiker and am traveling with husband.
Any info or advice you can share?

azlynn Loc: Arizona

Moab is not a big city... It's easy to find your way around. That said, make sure you go to: Arches Nat'l Park, Canyonlands (both entrances), Dead Horse State Park. Photo ops are everywhere, hiking is abundant. You can find a tour guide in town, I expect, if you feel you need one. Moab is one of my favorite places on earth!

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

Moab is a photographer’s paradise. If you time is limited, the only thing I would add is maybe considering not going to Lower Canyonland’s. It is quite a drive into that park. However, if you are a rock climber, then ignore my suggestion. Have a wonderful time.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I wouldn’t think you would need a guide you can get all the information you want at the entrance just ask the park ranger he/she can give everything you’ll need, Be sure to ware the proper clothing/shoes and take plenty of water with you and some food also. Have a wonderful time Raptor.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Not knowing which of the many 'Moab UT' web sites you might've accessed, I just did a quick Google search for 'photo tours/Moab' and came up with three outfits that offer customizable tours. Its probably safe to assume you contacted (and are awaiting reply from) one of those. There are at least five other individuals who offer similar services, but are not sufficiently established to be able to go 'pro' to the point that they don't hold down other regular daytime jobs or means of income. There are a number of other regular land/river tour companies as well, and they can be every bit as good for exposing you to highly desirable, off the beaten track, sorts of places, though they don't necessarily cater specifically to photographers. In effect, there's a lot to choose from.

Having never done a 'photo tour' with any of the above, I couldn't recommend any one over another. But I do know some of the above personally, and consider them friends. The closest of those --the only one I've ever gone out shooting with-- is an exceptional photographer. His only drawback --from my perspective, with which he grudgingly agrees-- is that his repertoire of places is limited to a handful of stock locations. They're all great places, of course, but great places on boring days (yes, there are plenty of boring days around here) result in boring shots. As well, with a little advance research, you could've learned where these places are for yourself, and half of them you could've accessed on your own with a regular passenger car.

June is gnat season. Hope for a semi-steady breeze.

Raptor

Thanks for your replies. I have reached out and heard back from one photographer (who is now 78 and not doing a lot of guiding). My husband is timid about trekking into the unknown and I have had great success with photo workshops on location. I have the time now so I am trying to gather as much info as possible. I may never get back to Moab again. So any info you care to share about guides, great places to eat in Moab, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Guarantee it won't be your last trip to Moab

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The guided jeep tours (they drive) of Arches is well worth it Tere are roads you don't want to try in a regular car - even an SUV.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

tripadvisor.com

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

Get a "Sitter" for your husband, and spend lottsa time at Arches N.P. For a bit of exercise hike to the Delicate Arch. You will never forget the trip. Take WATER

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

I recommend this series of books for anyone going to the Southwest.
https://www.amazon.com/Laurent-Martres-Photographing-Southwest-Landmarks/dp/B01FOCSGQI

Don't limit yourself to Moab. The Kanab area has lots to offer also.
North & South Coyote Buttes are wonderful places to photograph. Both require permits and the North Coyote Buttes permits are difficult to get. South Coyote Butte permits are easy to get.
The White Pocket does not require a permit but its kind of difficult to get to. High clearance 4 wheel drive is required. Guide services are available to get you there.

https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com/Arizona/Arizona-20018/i-d9kvRMk
https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com/Arizona/Arizona-20018/i-X8Pnjbd

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

You may consider a short side trip to Kenab and visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Not for photo ops, but to learn of the amazing work they do for neglected and abandoned animals.

https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary

shirleyhogan

We were there in 2005. A local person told us to be sure to take a drive on Potash Road - a beautiful drive beside the Colorado River. A short drive up Highway 128 was also beautiful.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Moab is an amazing place. I used to live there many moons ago. June is going to be very warm. The list of "must see" places is unending, way beyond the scope of this forum. You're smart to start doing your research early. Like one poster said, I can almost guarantee you that, barring medical issues and other extenuating circumstances you will come back to Moab, probably more than once. You are about to have a mind opening experience. Enjoy.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

In addition to the Photographing the Southwest book mentioned above, you might take a look at some of the regional photo guides offered by Robert Hitchman on his website “Photograph America”. He has a number that would be useful for the Moab area. The guides are 10-12 pages each, written by a photographer for other photographers. You can download each for $8. I keep them stored on my smartphone so they are available when I’m in the field.

http://www.photographamerica.com/newsletters-byregion.htm

As was mentioned, you may not really need a guide for most places in the Moab area. Trails in the National Parks (Arches, Canyonlands) are generally well marked and a great many of the more popular sites are easily accessible by car and a very short walk

The one thing I would strongly advice is to be prepared for hot weather. Moab in June can get very hot. Take proper precautions even for short hikes.