Cypress Swamps Photo Workshop

November 5-9, 2026 - 3 Spots Left!

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Photograph the enchanting beauty and native wildlife of the Southern Cypress Swamps. Dates are timed for the best chances of fall colors and foggy conditions!  We will be going out on small boats in Caddo Lake in East Texas and Louisiana to access many diverse areas.  With 4 participants on board each boat along with a photo instructor and local guide, you'll have plenty of space and individual attention.  Classroom sessions will be held during the midday hours for post-processing training and image critique. This workshop is rated Easy for physical difficulty and includes lodging and round trip ground transportation to Shreveport, LA.

Tuition

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.
  • Round-trip ground transportation to/from Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV). No need to rent a car.
  • Post-processing instruction and image critique during the midday hours.
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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: Pickups begin at 4PM at Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV). Alternatively, you can rent a car and meet us in Marshall, TX. At 7PM we'll hold an orientation session covering 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 hotel, check-out and start our return trip to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV).  Return flights can be scheduled for 2PM onwards.
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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.

We will begin pickups at Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) at 4PM on Day One. You also have the option to rent a car and drive directly to Marshall, TX. Having your own car will give you more flexibility for dining and shopping.  We will begin return transport to SHV no later than noon on Day 5.  We recommend scheduling return flights 2PM or later on Day 5.

To simplify logistics, we have pre-paid for 4 nights of hotel lodging at the Holiday Inn Express in Marshall, TX.  During checkout you will add your lodging package based on either single or double occupancy.  See the Pricing section for more details. There are many options for dining and shopping in Marshall.

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.

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Pricing

$4300/Person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

  • Small boat transportation in the swamps.
  • Round-trip ground transportation to/from Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV).
  • 5-Day photo workshop with 2 pro-photographers.
  • Local guides and bayou experts.
  • Post-processing and image critique.
  • Pre-workshop zoom meeting.
  • A 4-night lodging package at the Holiday Inn Express in Marshall, TX will be added to your booking. Cost is $300 for double or $600 for single occupancy.

 

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Travel to/from your home to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV).
  • Meals, beverages, and snacks
  • Tips and Gratuities for instructors and local guides.

 

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, the remaining amount will be charged approx 120 days prior to the credit card we have on file. See our full Terms and Conditions.

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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
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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.

Wendy Casey

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.

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