Beyond the Badlands

May 4-8, 2025

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Join us in Hanksville, UT for an unforgettable adventure into the astonishing Utah badlands where you'll witness some of the most otherworldly landscapes on Earth! This is one of the best places for aerial shots and drones are definitely encouraged.  Dates are timed for the best chances of spring wildflowers across the barren desert.  This workshop is rated Moderate for physical intensity with a potential of 1-3 miles of hiking per day.  All transportation is provided in 4x4 lifted trucks. Expect to learn many new photo skills and post-processing techniques in a small group of 8 students and 2 instructors.

Tuition

Max Group Size

  • 4 Students per Instructor
  • Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Ryan McGinty
  • Shane McDermott

Physical Intensity

Badlands Photo Workshops Utah Photography Workshops

Highlights

  • The badlands of central Utah are filled with spectacular photo spots that will blow your mind!
  • The workshop dates correspond with possible spring wildflowers.
  • Learn many new photo skills and post-processing techniques in a small group of 8 students and 2 pro-instructors.
  • We provide all 4x4 transportation during the workshop so you don't have to worry about the rough roads.
  • Post-processing and image critique sessions will be scheduled throughout to help make the most of your images.
  • Fly your drone and capture amazing aerial images from above! Bringing a drone is NOT a requirement for the workshop.
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Itinerary

The itinerary is flexible based on weather, current conditions, and group interest. The workshop dates are timed for the best chances of finding wildflowers. However, wildflowers in the desert are not guaranteed and may not bloom during dry years. The following itinerary is just an example of what you can expect.

  • Day 1:  Meet at 4PM in Hanksville, UT for a mandatory introductory session.  After dinner, we head out to a nearby location for sunset and twilight photos.
  • Day 2:  For sunrise, we find a nice area with emerging wildflowers and catch some great color in the sky!  We head back to town for a midday break and meet up after lunch for a post-processing session. In the evening we venture out to shoot the badlands.
  • Day 3:  With clear skies overnight, we get out early to capture blue hour abstracts in the badlands.  We continue photographing as the golden light illuminates the landscape features.  After breakfast we do a short hike through a slot canyon.  The afternoon forecast is calling for clouds, so we drive out to a seldom visited viewpoint in the stark badlands.
  • Day 4:  With good clouds forecast for sunrise, we wake before dawn to photograph one of our favorite morning locations.  You'll get wide landscapes, abstracts, and much more. This is also the perfect place to take drone aerials.   You'll know what we mean that this place is almost like being on a different planet!  We find more locations with beautiful wildflowers before heading back to town. We do another post-processing session and then venture out for our final sunset shoot.
  • Day 5: We head out for our final sunrise shoot, with our location dictated by weather, conditions, and group interest. After sunrise we return to Hanksville and say our goodbyes.  The workshop will conclude by 11AM.
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Beyond the Badlands Utah Photo Workshops
Utah Badlands Photo Workshop
Utah Badlands Photo Workshop

Logistics

Please arrive in Hanksville, UT prior to 4PM on the first day of the workshop for a mandatory orientation session.  We'll be going out to shoot shortly thereafter.  The workshop will conclude by 11AM on Day 5 and you can plan your return travel after that.

All transportation during the workshop is included in lifted 4x4 trucks. However, there is no public transportation to Hanksville so you'll need your own vehicle to get there. The nearest major airport is SLC International.

Lodging is in short supply so we have pre-paid for 4 nights of accommodations in luxury cabins for all workshop participants.  During checkout you will add your lodging package based on either single or double occupancy.  See the Pricing section for more details.

Everyone on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition.  We aren't planning any long hikes, but the uneven terrain, sand, and steep uphills can make short hikes seem much harder.  You should be comfortable walking around 1-3 miles per day while carrying your gear.

We are keeping the itinerary flexible since we can't control the weather.  Don't worry - we'll make the best possible use of our time. Our job is to get you the most stunning photos and help you learn as much as possible!

The weather is highly variable in early spring. It could be sunny and warm or a cold front might come in and bring some rain and snow. The nights will be cold, so you will want warm layers. It can also be windy in the spring so come prepared with a wind/rain jacket.  Please see the gear list further down.

Food options are limited in Hanksville.  If you have specific dietary needs, it might be best to pick-up food in a larger town before arriving in Hanksville.  The cabins all have microwaves and fridges.

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Additional Notes

Many of the areas we visit are perfect for using a drone camera.  It's up to you if you want to bring a drone on this trip and we will let you know where it's possible to fly.  We are more than happy to help teach and instruct you on your drone photography.  However, for liability reasons, we cannot take-off, fly, or land your drone for you.  You must become proficient flying your own equipment BEFORE the workshop.

We are authorized permit holders with the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). We carry a satellite beacon in case we run into any emergencies in the backcountry.

We keep our groups small so we can give you adequate individual attention.  Education and instruction is an important component of our workshops which is why we also schedule plenty of post-processing time throughout our days together.  Come explore our amazing world with us!

 

Utah Badlands Photo Workshop
Utah Arizona Photo Workshops Beyond the Badlands Photo Workshop Utah Action Photo Tours Utah Badlands Photo Workshop
Utah Badlands Photo Workshop

Pricing

$2250 per Person

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Trip Includes:

  • 5-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors.
  • All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
  • Post-processing instruction and image critique.
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
  • 4-night lodging package in luxury cabins will be added to your booking. Cost is $400 for double occupancy or $800 for single occupancy.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Transportation to/from your home to Hanksville, UT.
  • Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
  • Instructor Gratuities.

When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit.  If you pay the deposit, you will be sent a payment link for the remaining balance approximately 120 days prior to the workshop.

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Beyond the Badlands Photo Workshop Hanksville

Recommended Camera Gear

  • Sturdy tripod and ballhead
  • Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
  • Wide Angle Zoom Lens.  Anything in the 14-24mm range will work well.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Long telephoto lenses will come in handy for creating abstract images. We really like long zoom lenses like the 100-400mm, 150-600mm, etc.
  • Optional:  1.4x Tele-Extender for your telephoto lens for additional reach.
  • Circular polarizer filters are useful.
  • Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
  • Drone, Batteries, and Controller (Optional)
  • Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or follow along during the post-processing instruction.

Personal Gear List

  • Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
  • A rain jacket and several warm layers since it can get cold at night.
  • Headlamp for hiking after dark.
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat.
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder.
  • Hiking poles if you like having them.

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Utah Badlands Photo Workshop

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Ryan McGinty Profile Photo Olympics

Ryan McGinty

Photography Instructor

Ryan McGinty is a seasoned landscape photographer living in the Palouse area of southeastern Washington.  His first-hand experience in this unique agricultural area makes him the perfect instructor to lead people to out-of-the-way places for those once-in-a-lifetime rainbows, sunsets and sunrises in the beautiful rolling hills. He loves chasing the light and diligently checks weather apps to get the latest sun and rain predictions, cloud formations, wind and temperatures for the best locations and light.

His interest in photography started at an early age and continued in college with graduate work at Brooks Institute of Photography.  His experience in portrait, wedding, film, and medium and large format photography give him an extraordinary background for his award-winning landscape photography.

His passion for the Palouse is only exceeded by his passion for photography and his desire to show people his favorite places.  He takes a legitimate interest in his clients and strives hard to ensure they get the best shots. His photographs have been published in books, calendars and travel guides.

Shane McDermott

Shane McDermott

Photography Instructor

Artist's Statement: Through all of my wanderings, photography has remained a constant, providing the creative link between my passion for adventure and the outdoors. I will never get enough of that “Wow!” feeling when I see a stunning image rendered on my camera’s LCD and helping guide others to that same experience is the bacon in the beans for me. I am excited to start working with Action Photo Tours. Everything about their instructors, locations, deep research, proficiency and stop-at-nothing vibe shows me that I have found the company where we can all grow and have countless “wow” moments together.

From the inseparable experience of unity, the camera is not something I “look at” the world through it is an opportunity to see something in myself. Photographs are no longer lost extractions of time; they become holographic reflections of the precious whole in every part. I love to guide those passionate about photography and those wanting to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of nature. If you seek a deeper connection with yourself and the astonishing beauty of our planet, I invite you to embark on this journey of creative discovery. I seamlessly weave together the technical and artistic dimensions of photography and help students learn to cultivate a greater level of presence, perception, and perspective. I have endless patience for those who genuinely seek to unlock their unique creative brilliance and transform their passion into pixels.

Photography has been a transformative experience of Self-discovery more than it has been about great image-making. The interior landscapes of my Soul have been the primary territory of my exploration. From a place within, the landscapes and creatures of our great planet have provided amazing opportunities to learn about myself and my connection to the world.