Help on finding Grand Canyon Raft Trip

Having no success in finding a raft operator that will be giving a photographers float trip through the Grand Canyon, other than Grand Canyon Expeditions (there photographers trip already sold out). Any help on finding one appreciated. I can find many float trips, just not one geared to photographers, which is what Id like. This is a gift from my parents and would really like to do it in 2008!

Thanks for any help!

I just signed up for the Apr 30th through early May trip with Friends of Arizona Highways...

http://www.friendsofazhighways.com/calendar.htm

Good luck,

Tim!

Any concessionaire float trip will offer you plenty of time for photography at lunch stops and other mandatory stops along the way and also at the campsites. Most commercial trips make the mandatory daytime stops, such as Redwall Cavern, Elves'Chasm, Tapeats Creek, Deer Creek Falls, and Havasu, plus plenty of other side trips along the way, assuming you're on a 14 day trip. A 7 day motorized trip will not give you as much time in each of those places. If you're a 4x5 shooter you might find yourself rushed at times to get a shot, but if you're a 35mm film or digital guy you'll have plenty of time.
I've been down 4 times, but I only go on private trips. However we cross paths with commercials throughout the length of the trip and especially at the above named "must stops". They spend as much time at those spots as we do.
Most years, commercial operations have open spots on their trips throughout the year due to cancellations, etc., plus they would be less expensive than a photography related float trip, although they all are absurdly expensive in comparison to a private trip.
One commercial operation I highly recommend is Moki Mac ( www.mokimac.com) because one of their guides is a good long-time friend of mine and I know they take very good care of their customers. I also have had other friends use them and they report back with 2-thumbs up.
If you have any questions as you prepare for the trip, don't hesitate to ask.

I fully agree with Don's comments. I've been on two trips, both standard 7 day motorized trips with takeouts at Whitmore Wash. Although hanging out with other photographers would have been fun, and there were a few locations that would have benefited from a bit more time, I would find it hard to justify paying the additional cost of a photo excursion. All the ones I have seen in the past have been 2X the cost of the "standard" commercial trip. At those prices, I'd take 2 trips or extend the 7 day trip to 14. Lots more bang for the buck! Unless the photo trip has some very specialized agenda, you will stop at the same places and take all the same hikes as the commercial trips.

I have not heard of a bad operator on the river.
Whichever trip you decide on, it will be a blast!

Well Ill look into the various options. Doesnt have to be raft trip, parents said pick a photographers trip of some type, but the Grand Canyon has lots of appeal to me! Somewhat stumped at the moment!