About Us
Moab Monsters is led by photographers Dan Milstein (from New York) and Dave Koch (from all over the Southwest), longtime friends and seasoned pros who know Utah’s red rock country inside and out. We created this retreat not as a beginner workshop, but as a chance for working photographers to step out of their day jobs and recharge, explore epic landscapes, and reconnect with their craft alongside peers.
Dave’s Philosophy
For Dave, landscape photography is the yang to his business photography yin. (If you’re not familiar with the concept of Yin and Yang, learn more here). Each discipline balances the other, fueling creativity, sharpening his vision, and reigniting his desire to grow in both fields.
At its core, it’s about keeping that passion alive and the fire burning. For Dave, Moab is a symbol—a reminder to stay curious and keep pushing to improve. Sure, living in Utah makes it convenient — Moab is only a three-hour drive — but it’s not about Moab specifically. It’s about finding your own Moab: that place where inspiration, challenge, and creativity collide.
That said, Dave will always welcome you back to Moab whenever you want — there’s more than enough red rock magic to go around.
Dan’s Philosophy
For Daniel, photography is less about collecting images and more about noticing what others might pass by. Years of shooting architecture sharpened his eye for detail, but it’s the outdoors that reminds him to slow down, step back, and let the scene reveal itself.
At its heart, his philosophy is simple: great photographs come from curiosity. A small shift in angle, a less-traveled path, or even pausing for a change in light can turn the ordinary into the memorable. Moab, with its endless play of stone and sky, is the perfect place to practice that kind of seeing.
For Daniel, guiding an excursion is about creating space for discovery—helping each photographer find not just stronger images, but their own way of experiencing the landscape.
Dave’s Story
Dave Koch
Dave grew up in California and studied Radio/TV/Film at Cal State Northridge. He dabbled in Hollywood, working on films with Christopher Lloyd and Jennifer Jason Leigh before heading up to California’s Central Coast for a job at KCOY. He spent a decade as a TV news photographer, which eventually brought him to Utah.
After another decade running his own art gallery, Dave found himself pulled back into photography — inspired by the incredible beauty of Utah’s landscapes. Within a year, he was winning Best of State and Landscape Photographer of the Year awards for his work in the Utah wilderness. That inspiration continues to drive him today, and it’s what ultimately sparked the idea for Moab Monsters.
Well… that, and the fact that Dan had a United Airlines voucher he had to use by the end of the year or lose it.
Dan’s Story
Dan Milstein
Daniel Milstein’s photography journey began when his father handed him a Nikon as a child, sparking a lifelong passion for capturing light and place. After spending part of his childhood in the desert southwest, he developed a lasting connection to wild landscapes—an influence that still shapes his work today.
For the past 17 years, Daniel has specialized in architectural photography, photographing celebrity homes and some of the most exclusive properties in New York and New England. A leader in aerial imagery, he pioneered the use of drones for real estate and spent years photographing from open helicopters. He has also taught drone workshops, known for a relaxed style that builds on each participant’s strengths.
In Moab, Daniel brings both technical expertise and an explorer’s mindset. More than just teaching, he thrives on guiding participants toward fresh vantage points—whether that means seeing familiar landmarks in a new way or discovering the quieter angles most visitors miss. His goal is for every photographer to return not only with stronger images, but with the memory of a shared adventure.