South Dakota Badlands Photo Workshop

June 9-14, 2027 - 6 Days

Explore the wild beauty of the Great Plains on our 6-Day South Dakota Badlands Photo Workshop. Timed for peak spring conditions, this adventure features lush green grass, blooming clover, dramatic skies, and the chance for stormy light across one of America’s most surreal landscapes. If clear skies line up, we’ll photograph the Milky Way over jagged spires and ancient formations. Big vistas, sharply eroded buttes, colorful pinnacles, and abundant wildlife will keep your camera busy from sunrise to sunset. We’ll also photograph Devil’s Tower, the Needles, Wind Cave, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and more. As a special bonus, every participant receives a doors-off helicopter flight for unforgettable aerial images!

Tuition

$3350
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Includes Heli Flight

Max Group Size

8 Students
2 Pro Instructors

Instructor(s)

Kevin McNeal
Wendy Casey

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Photograph a wonderland of otherworldly spires, pinnacles, massive buttes, and deep gorges.
Prime dates for lush green grass, sweet clover, dramatic clouds, and spring storm activity.
Excellent wildlife opportunities, including bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, coyotes, hawks, and eagles.
Doors-off helicopter flight for thrilling aerial photography over the Badlands and Black Hills.
Small group of 8 students with 2 pro instructors
All ground transportation to/from Rapid City included.
Post-processing and image critique sessions

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Itinerary

The itinerary is kept flexible so we can chase the best light, weather, and conditions. The schedule below is an example of what you can expect. In June, the days are very long and we'll make time for midday breaks to catch up on sleep whenever possible.

Day 1: We meet at 7PM for a mandatory orientation session at the gateway hotel. We'll cover lots of important information and go over our itinerary in detail.
Day 2: We depart at 3AM for sunrise at Devil’s Tower, where spring clover can create a beautiful foreground beneath the towering monolith. After breakfast, we check out and drive to Wall, South Dakota, our base for the next 2 nights. We finish the day with sunset from a sweeping overlook high above the Badlands.
Day 3: We wake early for a colorful sunrise over the Badlands, then explore spires, buttes, grasslands, and wildlife in warm morning light. After lunch and a short rest break, we meet for post-processing before heading back out for sunset. With luck, afternoon clouds and distant storms will add drama to the evening skies.
Day 4: Sunrise takes us to one of the Badlands’ most photogenic overlooks, where early light reveals the texture, color, and sculpted forms of this alien landscape. After breakfast, we hold image reviews and processing instruction before checking out of the hotel. We make our way to Custer, SD and check-in at the new property. That evening, every participant enjoys a stunning doors-off helicopter flight for aerial photos over the Badlands and Black Hills.
Day 5: We are out early for sunrise at a beautiful lake surrounded by granite formations and pine forests. We take a much needed midday break. Later that day we begin a scenic drive looking for both wildlife and landscape photo ops. We'll include iconic Black Hills locations like the Needles Scenic Byway, Iron Mountain Road, Wind Cave, Mt. Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. We end with sunset from a rugged overlook before returning to our hotel.
Day 6: We enjoy one final sunrise from a beautiful high vantage point before returning for breakfast. After checkout, we drive back to Rapid City and drop participants at the airport. The workshop concludes no later than 11AM.

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South Dakota Badlands Photo Workshop Devils Tower

South Dakota Badlands Photo Workshop Custer

South Dakota Badlands Workshop - Badlands National Park

Logistics

Plan to arrive in Rapid City prior to 7PM on the first day for a mandatory orientation session at the gateway hotel. We will cover many photo techniques you will use throughout the workshop and go over logistics and our daily plans.

Important: Lodging is in short supply so we have pre-paid for 6 nights of hotel accommodations 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.

There is no need for you to rent a car as all ground transportation is included once we meet at the gateway hotel. It is easy to take a taxi or Uber from the airport to the gateway hotel after your flight arrives. We will drop everyone off at the airport at the conclusion of the workshop. You can plan your return travel anytime after 11AM on the final day.

Our goal is to maximize your photography while you are here. This can mean long days and not a lot of sleep. We will utilize the middle of the day for rest breaks and or post-processing sessions. Make sure you bring ear plugs and eye covers to sleep better during midday hours.

This workshop is rated Moderate for activity level. No long hikes are planned but participants should be able to walk a cumulative 1-3 miles each day to get to the shooting locations while carrying their photo 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 spring. It could be sunny and warm or a cold front might come in and bring some rain, wind, and storms. Nights can be chilly, so you will want warm layers. Please see the gear list further down. About a month or two before the workshop, we'll hold a zoom meeting with all participants to ensure you are well prepared.

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Pricing

$3,350/Person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

All ground transportation.
6-day intensive in-field photo workshop with 2 pro instructors.
Post-processing and image critiques
Park entrance fees.
Pre-workshop zoom meeting.
5-night lodging package will be added to your booking based on single or double occupancy. Cost is $550 for double or $1100 for single occupancy.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Rapid City, SD
Beverages, Meals, and Snacks
Instructor Gratuities.

The Fine Print:

50% deposit required to hold your spot.
Remaining balance is due Feb 9, 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.

Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range. Ultra-wide angle lenses may allow you to be more creative in your compositions.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Telephoto lenses in the 200-600 range for wildlife.
Circular polarizer filters and ND filters for your lenses. If you like shooting with grads, bring them along.
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 hiking footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
Warm jacket for cool mornings
Rain gear (jacket), and protection for your camera gear.
Headlamp
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat.
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like having them.
Headlamp.
Bug spray.

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Kevin McNeal

Photography Instructor

Kevin McNeal is a Washington-State photographer who is passionate about photographing grand landscapes that reflect the most unique places on earth. Capturing moments of magic light and transferring this to print is the ultimate goal. His images hold a combination of perseverance, patience, and dedication to capture landscapes in fresh ways. The stories of how these images are rendered come across in the feelings the images convey. He has traveled all over North America, shooting diverse landscapes and finding remote places with the hope that we can convey to the public that this earth is worth caring for. His award winning images can be seen in galleries and showings across the United States. He was recently invited to the Art Wolfe Art Gallery for the Environmental Photography Invitational. Kevin was the grand winner of the Landscape category for the Natures Best Magazine and was selected for the Smithsonian National Museum of History in Washington D.C.. He is a regular contributor to publications like Outdoor Photographer.

Artist’s Statement

“I believe that the Earth shares secrets with us that only can be discovered by trying to understand our position on this planet. We are never fully intimate with the planet but are given brief moments that make our souls want more. These glimpses of nature’s power are fleeting and never the same twice. I also believe it is important to share with those who want it. The treasures that await us given the patience that is out there. What I try to do is bring some of that magic to my images to share with the rest of the world. Each of my images tells a story that everyone can relate to in some way whether it is success, fear, or challenging oneself to overcome obstacles

View Kevin's Portfolio.

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.