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Great Sand Dunes

April 2025

$1275

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OVERVIEW

EXPLORE & PHOTOGRAPH one of the most unique National Parks in the country! We'll be camping* inside The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve for 4 days and 3 nights, with 24/7 unfettered access to one of the most spectacular landscapes in Colorado. With the massive sand dunes, vast valley floor, and the surrounding peaks of Sangre De Cristo mountains, we'll be photographing this amazing landscape during early morning and late afternoon sessions, then waiting for night to fall as we photograph starry skies. In between, we'll relax at basecamp with delicious food, and Photoshop/Lightroom post-processing sessions where we'll be perfecting the photos you create.


The Great Sand Dunes was just officially certified as an International Dark Sky location, and we'll have 3 nights to photograph the night beauty in addition to our morning and afternoon sessions! Your workshop investment includes Great Sand Dunes park entrance fees, camping fees & reservations, all-day amazing catered meals (gluten, dairy, and other allergies accommodated), snacks, drinking water, photography instruction, critique and excursions.

This workshop is the perfect combination of landscape and outdoor portrait photography in the most unique national park in Colorado.  

• Photograph at the best times of day for glorious light

• Capture grand landscapes and starry skies

NEW ADDITION!  Model shoots! - all-day opportunities to shoot outdoor portraits with our talented model

• Basecamp post-processing sessions with Lightroom & Photoshop

• Eat amazing food all weekend prepared by our on-site chef

 

*NOT A CAMPER? We have a block of hotel rooms located just outside the park.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis, additional fees apply.

TEACHING TOPICS

Photographing the Dunes Landscape • Outdoor Portrait Shoots w/Guest Model

Technical Camera Instruction • Post Processing Tutorials • Photographing the Night Sky

Light Painting • Photo Critique

Create amazing artwork for your walls at home...

Learn to shoot gorgeous outdoor portraits with our guest model...

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David Townsend - Lead Instructor

A professional photographer for 20+ years, David brings a relaxed vibe to your photography experience, and will give you the knowledge and techniques to help you create amazing images, no matter what level of photographer you are.

"Carrying the heavy light painting tools to the top of the dunes, running back and forth in the sand many, many times, getting to know each of us beyond our camera abilities, Dave was the center point of what made this workshop a truly incredible experience."

- Rachel, Workshop Attendee

"I have literally saved hours and hours of processing time from the few simple steps that David taught me during the post processing session."

- Tony, Workshop Attendee

ITINERARY

 

Thursday

3:00pm  Check in at Great Sand Dunes

5:30pm  Dinner & Workshop Intro

7:30pm  Night Photo Session

Friday

6:00am    Sunrise Photo Session

                Light Trail Snack

10:00am  Brunch

12:00pm  Photo Instruction

2:00pm    Free time

4:00pm    Dinner

5:00pm    Afternoon Photo Session

9:00pm    Night Photo Session

Saturday

6:00am    Sunrise Photo Session

                Light Trail Snack

10:00am  Brunch

12:00pm  Photo Instruction

2:00pm    Free time

4:00pm    Dinner

5:00pm    Afternoon Photo Session

9:00pm    Night Photo Session

 

​Sunday

6:00am   Sunrise Photo Session

               Light Trail Snack

10:00am Breakfast

1:00pm   Check out

While we aim to keep to the itinerary so you can plan for your trip, itinerary items and times are subject to change at the discretion of the workshop staff & instructors.  This allows us to be spontaneous during the workshops, should new, unexpected photographic opportunities arise!

A WORD ABOUT FITNESS

This workshop involves a considerable amount of walking & hiking, primarily on the sand dunes...and if Medano Creek is flowing, through 1-5 inches of water to access the dunefields.  The elevation at the base of the dunefields is approximately 8000 ft above sea level, and the highest dune is about 800ft. We will be doing uphill hiking to get higher on the dunes for great photo locations.  Please remember hiking in sand at altitude is more strenuous than hiking on typical dirt trails, so please consider your health and fitness level when booking this workshop.  You should be able to do at least one 2-mile uphill/downhill roundtrip hike per day at these altitudes.  A medical waiver/release will need to be signed as a condition of the workshop attendance.

DETAILS

 

TUITION

Tuition includes:

• All photography instruction, excursions, & photo critique sessions.

• 3 nights camping at Great Sand Dunes Pinon Flats Campground

• 4 days/3 nights camping and entrance fees

• Catered Meals: 3 dinners, 2 lunches, 3 breakfasts, 3 light snacks

   Dietary restrictions & food allergies CAN be accommodated!

• Drinking Water

Tuition does not include:

• Transportation to and from Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve near Mosca, CO.

• Alcohol, other food purchases made during the workshop.

• Camping tents and other equipment

LODGING

We will be camping in Pinon Flats Campground, Group Site B. This will give us all day & night access to the dunes for the many photo opportunities that will arise. This is a developed campground with flush toilets facilities right next to the campsite. **This site is for tent camping only. Pull-behind pop-up trailers and RVs are not allowed at the group site.**

DON'T HAVE A TENT?  Please let us know and we can make arrangements for all the camping equipment you'll need!  Additional rental fees apply, please inquire.* NOT A CAMPER?  We are happy to make nearby lodging arrangements for you. We have a limited block of standard rooms at the Great Sand Dunes Lodge just outside the park entrance. Additional lodging fee of $695 per person, single standard room rate; please inquire for more information. Also available near the lodge are RV spots with electrical hookup (no showers) for $150 per spot fo the entire workshop.

DISCOUNTS

$50 discount for attendees of any previous David Lynn Workshop or class.

$50 discount for friend referral - Refer a friend that books a spot, receive $50 off your booking.

PAYMENT TERMS

$300 Deposit to reserve spot in the Great Sand Dunes Photo Workshop.  Subsequent balance payment of $975 (less any discounts) will be billed separately through an online payment, sent to the email you enter at registration.

If client cancels his/her reservation in the Workshop:

- within 14 days of workshop, David Lynn Photography retains 100% of payments made.

- within 21 days of workshop, David Lynn Photography retains 50% of payments made, including non-refundable deposit.

- before 30 days of workshop, all payments are returned, except for non-refundable deposit.

Payment plans can be arranged - please get in touch with us to make arrangements for alternate payments to make the workshop possible for you!

David Lynn Photography reserves the right to cancel a workshop for any reason, including but not limited to: insufficient attendee booking, instructor illness, hotel closures or cancellations, inclement weather, and random acts of nature.  A minimum of 4 attendees are required for the workshop to remain scheduled.  If the minimum is not met, the workshop may be cancelled and/or rescheduled, and all payments will be returned.  Alternatively, payments can be retained by David Lynn Photography and the client may use them as a credit to use toward a new or rescheduled workshop.

In the event of workshop cancellation, David Lynn Photography will refund all deposits & payments made, and thereby be released of any cancellation liability.

 

WAIVERS & INSURANCE

Workshop guests are required to sign a waiver of liability releasing David Lynn Photography from any damage & personal injury liability while participating in the workshop.

Purchasing Travel Insurance is highly recommended for each participant. Ideally, your travel insurance will cover personal medical expenses, personal liability, lost or stolen luggage, and damaged camera equipment.

 

PHOTO RELEASES

David Lynn Photography reserves the right to photograph and/or film the workshop events, its participants, and locations, and use the material for marketing and promotional purposes including, but not limited to, social media, websites, and blogs.

Great Sand Dunes Photo Workshop
$1275

Questions?  Call or email us:

(303)-887-4014   workshops@davidlynnphoto.com

RAVES...

"Instead of feeling like a student at school, Dave created a learning environment that was educational yet freely creative, informative as well as structured."

"I have literally saved hours and hours of processing time from the few simple steps that David taught me during the post processing session."

"More than just a photography class.  It was about the experience of spending time outside and seeing the world through a different lens, pun intended.  David's unbridled enthusiasm is completely contagious."

"The food the food the food! was brilliantly prepared, and at no time did I feel like it was “camp food”.  The chef prepared meals that tasted fresh, healthy and fit for any restaurant."

"The camaraderie experienced during the workshop was unprecedented.  It was a good feeling to be surrounded by people with the common goal of helping each other become better photographers."

"I would 10 out of 10 times recommend to anyone to learn from his vast knowledge of photography and his great personality. I never felt rushed, and he was very supportive and genuine in his encouragement."

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