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OVERVIEW
Join OFFBEAT for a small-group photography workshop in the West Block of Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, May 7–9, 2027. Based near Val Marie, this early-season field workshop explores one of Canada’s most unique and little-seen national parks: a protected prairie ecosystem of rare grasslands, wide horizons, dark skies, and remarkable wildlife.
This is not a workshop built around obvious postcard views. Grasslands asks you to slow down, look carefully, and refine your eye. We’ll focus on quiet landscapes, minimalist compositions, wildlife-in-environment photography, and the challenge of creating strong images in a subtle and deeply important ecological place.
As the land awakens in early May, we may encounter the first spring flowers, migratory birds, and protected keystone species such as the black-tailed prairie dog, with potential for deer, raptors, and bison. Timed near the new moon, the workshop also gives us our best chance to photograph the night sky in one of Canada’s finest dark-sky regions.
Through guided field sessions, creative exercises, and hands-on instruction, this relaxed weekend is designed for photographers who want to see better, work more intentionally, and experience the quiet power of the prairie.
Dates: May 7-9, 2027
Tour Leaders: Kris Andres and Curtis Jones*
* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.
Registration Cost (includes workshop instruction, three nights hotel, and daily breakfast):
Full Cost: $1,695 CAD +GST/PST
All you need to register is to pay a $500+GST/PST non-refundable deposit.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
1. Creating stronger images in quiet landscapes and minimalist prairie scenes.
2. Slowing down, learning to see, and making more intentional photographs.
3. Using light, texture, weather, and negative space to shape stronger compositions.
4. Wildlife photography with prairie species.
5. Building visual stories around ecology, place, and the character of the northern prairie.
6. Long lenses, filters, long exposures, and dark-sky photography when conditions allow
ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
Accommodations are limited in Val Marie. Please secure your hotel, guesthouse, or campsite as soon as possible. Camping is fully self-sufficient. Early-season campground water service may not be available, so campers must bring their own water.
Meals are not included. Guests should bring lunches, snacks, water, and supplies for full days in the field. There are no food services inside Grasslands National Park, and dining/grocery options in town are limited.
ITINERARY
Full itinerary to be provided to participants upon arrival.
Schedule subject to change.
Day 1 - Friday, May 7
Arrival & First Field Session
Arrive in Val Marie and get settled before our 3:30 PM welcome and orientation. We’ll review the weekend plan, safety considerations, carpooling, and how to approach photographing the quiet, subtle landscapes of the West Block.
After an early supper, we’ll head into Grasslands National Park for our first evening field session. We’ll work with golden hour, sunset, wildlife opportunities, prairie textures, and minimalist compositions. If conditions are favourable, we may also begin exploring the park’s dark skies.
Day 2 - Saturday, May 8
We’ll begin early with a sunrise session in the West Block, focusing on morning light, wildlife-in-environment images, and learning how to see more intentionally in open prairie landscapes.
After breakfast and some downtime, we’ll continue with flexible field instruction, creative exercises, and selected locations around the West Block or Val Marie. The afternoon and evening will be shaped by light, weather, wildlife activity, and group energy.
This workshop is timed near the new moon, so we’ll remain flexible and choose the best available weather window for dark-sky photography.
Day 3 - Sunday, May 9
Final Sunrise & Wrap-Up
We’ll finish with one final sunrise field session in the West Block, making the most of morning light, quiet landscapes, and any wildlife opportunities that arise.
Afterward, we’ll return to Val Marie for a short wrap-up, final questions, and departure around 11:00 AM.
Itinerary may shift based on weather, road conditions, wildlife activity, night-sky visibility, and group needs.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The workshop is suitable for participants of all levels of experience in
photography. Most locations will be readily accessible from the road,
although we may hike short distances on occasion.
This event focuses 100% on landscape + outdoor photography. It is worth noting that the workshop
will be quite intense in order to maximize filed time. Participants are
not expected to participate in every aspect of the workshop weekend.
It’s up to you to get out as much as you like, though of course it is
recommended you give it your all.
PAYMENT PLAN AND CANCELLATION POLICY
A $875 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot, with final
payment due by July 9th, 2026
Spots are non-refundable but are transferable (i.e. if the the
participant is able to find someone else to take their spot and can sell/
transfer the spot to a new participant, this is acceptable).
LEAVE NO TRACE
OFFBEAT preaches and lives the ethics of "leave no trace" photography, which means that the utmost care is given, while hiking and photographing, to leaving zero impact on the natural environment. Participants are expected to approach this tour with the same ethics at all times.
INSURANCE
It is advised that workshop participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage.
Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility.
By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.
INSTRUCTORS
About Kris Andres
Based at the doorstep of the Canadian Rockies in Calgary, Alberta, Kristopher considers the mountains (along with everywhere he travels) to be his second home. Kris is always up for endless adventures with a smile—no matter how "atmospheric" the conditions are. He will be overly excited in almost everything he does in life, capturing each story with the click of a shutter, in any and all genres—from adventure to landscapes to portraiture to food and more! When he’s not out creating, Kris is a full-time yogi working to refine himself every day.
About Curtis Jones
Curtis is an adventure, landscape and portrait photographer from Newfoundland and Labrador who considers Nunavut his second home. Never tiring of seeing the sun rise from a new horizon or watching a contagious smile grow on the faces of friends and strangers alike as they step out of their comfort zone, Curtis seeks to tell stories with his photographs as he lives out his own. Throughout his career, he has had the pleasure of working with worldclass athletes, artists, and production teams while shooting in some of the globe’s most raw, wild, and challenging locations. Equal parts adventurer, artist and clown, he is never far from a camera, a tent or a good punchline.
OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration. Effective June 16, 2022.
For any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected].