Cypress Swamps Photo Workshop

November 1-5, 2027

November 5-9, 2027

Capture the haunting beauty and native wildlife of the Southern cypress swamps at one of the most atmospheric times of year. Timed for peak opportunities to photograph fall color and misty morning fog, this workshop explores the otherworldly waterways of Caddo Lake in East Texas and Louisiana by small boat. Each boat is limited to four participants and is accompanied by both a photo instructor and a knowledgeable local guide, giving you plenty of room to work and personalized support in the field. During midday hours, we’ll gather for classroom sessions focused on post-processing techniques and constructive image critiques. Supercharge your experience by adding on our Secret Swamps & Wildlife Workshop in Louisiana!

Tuition

4800
Includes Lodging
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Max Group Size

4 Students per Instructor
4 Students per Boat

Instructor(s)

Shane McDermott
Wendy Casey

Physical Intensity

Cypress Swamps Photo Workshop Caddo Lake Texas

Highlights

Experience the sublime beauty of the Cypress Swamps and native wildlife. Dates are timed for best fall colors and foggy conditions!
We will be using a small boat to efficiently access areas with optimal photographic opportunities. These boats are stable, quiet, and nimble and will deliver great landscape and wildlife photo ops.
A small group size of 4 photographers per boat will ensure plenty of individual attention.
Expert local knowledge from our boat operators and guides.
Lodging and all boat/ground transportation is included.
Post-processing instruction included during the midday hours.

Nov 1-5 Book Now

Nov 5-9 Book Now

Itinerary

The exact itinerary will be flexible based on the weather and current conditions. If we get foggy conditions one day, we'll spend more time out on the boats. With pro photographers and local boat operators, we'll get you to the best places at the best times. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1: 7PM Orientation session in Marshall, Texas where we'll cover the specialized photo techniques you'll be using during our upcoming days together.
Day 2: We awake well before dawn, drive to the put-in spot, board the boats, and arrive at an enchanting cypress grove as beautiful fog sifts through the majestic trees. Vibrant fall colors adorn the branches and calm water amplifies the reflections. As the morning light begins to filter in, we shoot various compositions. The fog continues to last throughout the morning and we continue chasing the light until almost noon. We return for lunch and then head out again on the boats in the late afternoon for our sunset shoot.
Day 3: We are out early again and capture some incredible wildlife images of the egrets and herons in the ethereal forest. A few alligators also make their appearance! We boat back to the pier and do a midday post-processing session. We depart again on the boats for our sunset shoot where we find some magnificent fall color!
Day 4: We head out on boats again for our sunrise and sunset photo shoots, chasing the best light, fall colors, and conditions. We do one more midday post processing session showing you how to make the most of your images with many new digital darkroom techniques.
Day 5: Although it's hard to believe, today is our final sunrise shoot. It's our lucky day as fog has returned and we capture some amazing atmospheric images. Everyone is thrilled with what they were able to capture. We return to the pier and the workshop will conclude no later than noon.

Nov 1-5 Book Now

Nov 5-9 Book Now

Cypress Swamps Caddo Lake Photo Workshop

Cypress Swamps Photo Workshop Fisherman Caddo Lake

Logistics

This workshop is rated Easy for all activity levels. Participants need to have good mobility for getting into and out of the small boats. We will be doing a lot of handheld shooting from the boat to maximize our photo compositions, but there may be opportunities to setup tall tripods in the water for longer exposures.

Double occupancy hotel lodging is included in the workshop price and single rooms are available for an additional fee (see Pricing section below). We will be based in Marshall Texas and there are many options for dining and shopping.

We will send out much more detailed information to help you plan for the workshop as we get closer to the dates. We will also hold a pre-workshop Zoom Meeting to ensure you are setup for success. The closest airport to our location is in Shreveport, LA. All ground and boat transportation is provided once you arrive in Marshall, Texas.

It's easy to add on our Secret Swamps & Wildlife Workshop in Louisiana after this one concludes. It's a 4hr drive between Marshall, TX and Henderson, LA. If you are doing this, you'll fly into and out of Shreveport.

Pricing

$4800/Person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

4 nights double occupancy hotel lodging. Single rooms add $400.
Boat and ground transportation once you arrive in Marshall, TX.
Photography guiding and instruction by pro-photographers.
Local guides and bayou experts.
Post-processing and image critique
Pre-workshop zoom meeting

Trip Does NOT Include:

Travel to/from your home to Marshall, TX.
Meals, beverages, and snacks
Gratuities for instructors and local guides.

The Fine Print:

50% deposit required to hold your spot.
Remaining balance is due July 1, 2027.
If you need to cancel, a full refund less a $300 cancellation fee will be given once your spot is filled by another participant.
See the full Terms and Conditions.

Nov 1-5 Book Now

Nov 5-9 Book Now

Recommended Camera Gear

Digital SLR or mirrorless camera body.
Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Long telephoto zoom lens in the 100-600mm range. For wildlife you will want a lens that is longer than 200mm. Most of the shots you'll take will be with the telephoto lens.
A tall, sturdy tripod and ballhead. We recommend using the standard arca-swiss mount for your camera so we can more easily share tripods.
An L-bracket is highly recommended for your camera!
Circular polarizers are recommended and ND filters may come in handy for longer exposures. If you like shooting with grads, bring them along.
A monopod can come in handy for handheld shooting from the boat.
Backpack to carry your gear.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or follow along during the post-processing instruction.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy footwear and long pants.
Warm jacket for cool mornings
Waterproof shell or rain jacket.
Headlamp
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat.
Water bottle.
Knee pads for photographing from the boat

Nov 1-5 Book Now

Nov 5-9 Book Now

Cypress Swamps Photo Workshop Caddo Lake

Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

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.

Wendy Casey

Photography Instructor

Wendy is proud to be a Utah Native and began hiking and camping with her parents at a very young age. She has many fond memories hiking to amazing viewpoints and taking in the grandeur that is Utah. Her interest in photography began in the 80’s where she made her film images come to life in a darkroom.

She now enjoys the creativity of the digital world by photographing a wide range of interests, from Landscape, Wildlife, Portraits, to Sports. Her favorite is capturing epic scenery with a human interest.

When Wendy and her husband Randy are not at home on their farm, they are out on a trail somewhere, exploring, photographing and creating videos of their adventures. Wendy has a lot of experience with horses on their ranch and will be an instructor on some of our wild horse and ranch workshops.

Over the years, she has participated in many art shows. Her local favorites are the Kimball Arts, Park City Art Festival and Midway Swiss Days. She has shipped her art around the world and has her work hanging throughout the state in hospitals, clinics and many large and small businesses. Her images have also been featured in and on the covers of local magazines.

Wendy loves to help others develop their passion for photography and capture through the viewfinder, winning scenes to last forever and an epic story to go with it.