Behind the Lens: Zion National Park

As +Peyton Hale and I rolled into Zion NP after a 10 hour drive from Dever, Colorado (my home), we had little time to set up and search for a spot. Shooting the Watchman over the Virgin River at sunset is like like shooting the Taj Mahal when you go to India. You know that it has been done before…but you still have to do it.

Later tonight +Scott Jarvie & +Jim Davis join the party, followed by +Casey McCallister tomorrow morning. Needless to say it should be an entertaining week of shooting to say the least.

Zion National Park, Watchman Sunset, Utah — The Watchman at Sunset

About the Author

Colby Brown

Colby Brown is a photographer, photo educator and author that specializes in landscape, travel and wildlife photography. His photographic portfolio spans the four corners of the globe and all 7 continents. He has worked as a photo instructor for National Geographic and founded The Giving Lens, an organization that blends photo education with support for various non-governmental organizations (NGO) and causes around the world, such as child education, clean drinking water projects, and women’s rights.

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Upcoming Photo Workshop Adventures...

Discover Cuba

February 1st – 8th, 2026

With this adventure, our focus will be on capturing the beauty of the Cuban people, culture, and architecture throughout the Island of Cuba. From the classic cars and ocean side highways in Havana to the cobblestone streets of Trinidad and everything in between. With so much uncertainty in the US/Cuban relationship, NOW is the time to go!

Patagonia Photography Workshop Adventure

April 6th – 15th, 2026

Patagonia is one of the most wild, beautiful & dramatic mountain ranges on the planet. We split our time between the incredible Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, home to both Cerro Torre and Mt. Fitz Roy.

A glowing sunset with a Rhino photographed on Great Migration Wildlife Photo Safari in Kenya with Colby Brown

The Great Migration – Kenya Wildlife Photo Safari

August 10th – 21st, 2025

Join us for an adventure of a lifetime to Kenya, home to both Amboseli and the Masai Mara National Parks as we photograph the Big Five in addition to the incredible migration of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River.

Bolivia Astro Photography Workshop

February 18th – 24th, 2026

Join me in Bolivia for an incredible adventure focuses on astro, landscape and wildlife photography as we explore the famous Salar de Uyuni with its glass like reflections as well as the high-altitude lagunas full of a variety of different species of Flamingos.