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I was hiking around the foothills of boulder mountain near Capitol Reef National Park and came across this incredible plateau that had 360 degree views in every direction. You can see the henry mountains, capitol reef, thousand lake mountain, fishlake, and more. I tracked down the owner before a road was put in and was able to acquire this magnificent 14 acre plateau. After 17 years of camping here, I decided to build a shelter. Being a professional nature photographer for over 35 years, I know what pretty is. You'll never want to leave. I'm now offering capitol reef photography workshops from the plateau. This is the best view in the whole county. Come take a photo tour with me.
Getting up early is no chore on this property when you are rewarded with jaw dropping sunrises to fill the soul from all the windows throughout the cabin, especially the deck. The photo tours home base is right here.
With 2000 square feet, 1st floor has 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, kitchen, dinning, living room areas, wood burning stove, laundry room and two sliding glass doors to the patio outside. 2nd floor contains a large family room with 3 hammock chairs, 2 full bathrooms and a large bonus loft for a tv viewing and lounge area. The large master bedroom has double sinks, bath and shower and private entrance to the patio. After the photography workshop and tour you can relax in the comfort of this cozy cabin on the plateau.
The Point at Vacation Rental on Teasdale Plateau, Capitol Reef National Park
With 35 years experience photographing Utah, particularly the capitol reef and escalante area, I've gained valuable insight I'd love to share. I've trekked all over this area. If "Wild" and "Untamed" is still in your veins, this is the place. It's become my passion to find new hidden treasures that fill the soul with awe. Come get inspired. Visit my website to get a jist of just where I've been and what I do. www.willieholdman.com. I have 2 books I've published on Utah and own a gallery on Park City's main street. Out of all of Utah this is my favorite place to photograph and conduct photography workshops. This is where versatility of weather, deserts, and mountains collide! Opportunities are endless in all seasons. Custom photography workshops available.
Artist Statement:
Photographers are visual artists. While a camera, like a pencil or painter's brush, can be usefully employed as a documentary tool, nature photography in itself is not a science. Like a drawing or painting it is a medium of visual expression. The question for visual artists is how clearly we can express our personal vision. The camera has long past the days when it was considered only a documentary device. It is now more than ever a tool for the artist to express himself. My wish is that I am able to express myself through the use of a camera.
At this time it is my desire to do portraits of the Earth, to capture the Earth's personality and true character. To experience this phenomena of nature, we must be attentive to the subject. Just as people only reveal themselves on special occasions for people they know and trust, so too, does the Earth save herself for those who respect her and are willing to make the sacrifice and journey off the beaten path. These revealings don't last long, one must be ready and skillful to capture these moments. The result is a photograph that captures the essence of the Earth that has rarely been seen before that brings a new meaning to fine art photography.
"I attended Willie’s ‘Capitol Reef Autumn Eclipse Workshop’, and had an awesome experience. I was a bit anxious going in because I am just a novice photographer, but I learned so much and everyone (especially Willie) was patient and kind with my questions and lack of experience. Willie took us to amazing places—to see and shoot the annular eclipse, the autumn leaves, the sunrises, sunsets, and even the milky way. Willie knows the area like the back of his hand, and took us to ‘off the beaten track’ beautiful places where we did not have to worry about people wandering into our photos. He also put us up in his beautiful home up on the plateau, which is a photographer’s dream, in and of itself"!
-Ellen Liu
My wife and I were lucky enough to attend Willie Holdman's 2023 Capitol Reef Autumn Eclipse Workshop in Southeastern Utah. We were treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph not only an annular solar eclipse at the Temple of the Sun in Capitol Reef National Park but also much of the landscape around the area, including Boulder Mountain and other awesome locations. Willie has an incredible knowledge of both the landscape and the seasonal changes. With Willie as our guide, we were able to get off the beaten path and photograph some truly amazing spots that we would never have found on our own. Also, the accommodations included with this workshop were great. Willie has built a fantastic cabin with one of the best views in the region. I didn't want to leave on the day. Overall, I would highly recommend one of Willie's photography workshops to any photographer interested in landscape or nature photography.
-Tyler Beard
I love the low angle of the sun this time of year. Thousand lake mountain gets first and last light through the winter solstice.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided along with lodging and guide/instruction. Usually we will make our lunches and eat them in the field so as to maximize out time in the great outdoors. In house editing and critique will also take place with lightroom and photoshop. Transportation will be provided for the photo tours but may ask a participant to also drive. Compensation for fuel will be given. I have room for 5 participants, or up to 10 if you want to share a bed with a spouse.
What' s great about the southern Utah desert and Capitol Reef National Park in the off season is the low visitation while the landscape stays beautiful year round with its red rock canyon walls.
Itinerary
day 1: Meet at 10:00 on the plateau for orientation, quick show to get us all thinking about photography, art of seeing, techniques, etc. have lunch on the plateau. Then we find some nice reflected light in the canyons. After capturing some amazing textures, details and abstracts, we position ourselves for the glorious last light of the day at one of the many vistas that surround the area. As the afterglow ends, we gather back on the plateau for an amazing dinner, and look through our images on a large tv screen for feedback and critique. Some may find comfort in the sauna or wood burning hot tub, while others may gather around the campfire.
day 2: Well of course we have an early breakfast, and head out for a glorious sunrise on the back side of capitol reef. We explore seldom visited areas capturing unique compositions that are only found in these remote places. Often times we make our own lunch and eat on the road as we travel from destination to destination. Who wants to stay inside with all this eye candy around? We strategically line ourselves up for yet another sunset possibly in the badlands or some plateau, depending on how the clouds are shaping up. As the light fades we head back home for dinner for conversation and relaxation.
day 3: By now you all are experts and I start to follow you around! Depending on the season and what's going on we may head up boulder mountain, 9,600 feet, where the views are off the charts! Since we are near the town of boulder, we may make ourselves down the burr trail and photograph incredible balancing rocks or possibly calf creek falls. Again taking our lunch as to avoid driving all the way back for food. We may also eat in the town of boulder. We head back over to torrey to photograph the reef at sunset at a remote view point that I discovered exploring the area for over 25 years. You'll love it! We head back for dinner. This being our last night, after dinner we can shoot the milky way on the plateau or close by.
DAY 4: This is our last morning together for the photography workshop, so we take it easy and walk out the door to photograph the incredible landscape from the plateau itself. After the photo session we gather in for breakfast, have a share and critique session, and part ways around 11:00.
4 day workshop cost for teasdale plateau stay: $2000.00-$1,000 for non photography spouse.
4 day workshop cost for mountains to deserts stay: $1500.00-$800 for non photography spouse.
Master Bedroom on plateau with king bed, deck, private bathroom: $2200.00-$1200.00.
To register click on the register button under the final countdown, or you can Venmo @Willie-Holdman or Zelle 801three7sixeight6four7
Under the notes upon registering select the dates you are interested in attending.
We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if not enough people register.
There is nothing quite like spring in the desert! Nice temps, flowers, red rock, the goods are all around! I've decided to team up with Dustin LeFevre to do a spring photography workshop here near Capitol Reef. It's both our favorite place. We have hiked and photographed many a canyon, mesa top, and hillside. Come join us as we venture out where very few do . Dustin is a very skilled and accomplished photographer. I've always admired his eye for composition as well as his craftsmanship in processing and presenting his imagery.
Dustin LeFevre is a landscape photographer with a special love for the desert Southwest. Growing up in Utah, Dustin has developed a deep connection and appreciation for the state’s unique landscapes. His photography reflects a love for the quiet moments and showcases the desolate beauty found in Utah's limitless wilderness. Dustin has co-lead many workshops throughout his career. As a photography guide Dustin strives to impart an appreciation of the sometimes subtle nuances of light and shadow that defines the deserts ever-changing scenery. Putting nature first, Dustin believes that a deeper connection to the landscape is the best pathway to creating meaningful images.
See his work here. https://dustin-lefevre.pixels.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dustinlefevre
The itinerary will be similar to my monthly workshops, with the addition of another fabulous instructor. We are limiting the group to 8 participants. Pricing is structured as follows:
Teasdale Plateau Stay: $2,000
Accompanying spouse: $1,000
Master Bedroom on Plateau: with king bed, deck, private bathroom: $2,200
Accompanying spouse: $1200
Mountains to Desert Cabin: $1700
Accompanying spouse: $900
Workshop includes lodging, dinner, breakfast, instruction, and fun! We may ask for more drivers to help get us around. A discount will be given for drivers.
Select the register button on first page. In the notes put "April 26-29 Workshop"
Because the nature of the all inclusive workshop, full payment will be required upon booking. I suggest participants secure travel insurance if unforeseen problems arise.
I have two homes available for the photography workshops with a total of 5 bedrooms to accommodate guest. No need to hassle finding a place to stay. Both have full kitchens so meals can be prepared in house.
Teasdale Plateau Cabin has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Two with queen beds downstairs and 1 with a king bed upstairs in the master bedroom. It also has a carpeted loft that can sleep several in a pinch:)
Mountains to Deserts cabin has 2 bedrooms with queen beds and a loft with 1 single bed and 2 bathrooms. Although the cabins are about 10 minutes apart, we will all eat dinner together on the plateau and have the campfire and other activities here. Both cabins have all the necessary items for cooking and all. Breakfast foods will be provided and available, although participants must organize and cook in each cabin.
While photography is my passion, my real love is living to the fullest in the great outdoors. This includes jumping in lakes and rivers, hiking off trail, exploring remote areas and experiencing mother nature by getting dirty and diving in. Don't feel like you have to get a little crazy, but I guarantee it will be a memorable experience. Capturing imagery during the photography workshop is just one aspect of the gathering.
Not only will you have an amazing place with killer views, you can also experience a sauna, wood burning hot tub, and solid marble outdoor bathtub. Did I mention the massive stone fire pit, or the outside sleeping platform to view the stars in one of the darkest skies in Utah? It's all part of the Willie Holdman Experience!
That's right! Share your ideas, goals, desires, and let's customize an experience just for you or your group. Want to swim in a waterfall? Cold plunge in a creek? Go fishing? Hike to the highest points in the reef? Explore thousands of miles on back road atv trails and roads? Let's do it all! Photography is just one aspect of the experience. Being a high desert rat will leave an impression on you that won't be forgotten. Do your own thing and bring your camera along for a photo tour.
14 private acres at your disposal with a sauna, wood burning hot tub, outdoor bath and shower, star viewing platform, cold plunge tub, and a massive fire pit with rocks taken from the plateau that accommodates over 20 people. This desert retreat is sure to inspire and leave you breathless as you experience the amazing views and star gazing opportunities. The private plateau contains breathtaking beauty with plenty of space to spread out for various activities for your group. Yoga? Writing? Team Building? Wellness? Nature is the best inspiration for creativity and self help. Breath, See, Experience, Do! Naturally created the plateau is your destination!
The home is fully furnished with a fully stocked kitchen with everything you would need for a comfortable stay. Capitol Reef is minutes away, but there is oh so much more here to explore. The plateau also has a rv hookup for extra room and camper trailor. Reach out for pricing.
Teasdale Utah
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