South Dakota Badlands Photo Workshop

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Excellent4.9970 reviews
 
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Excellent4.9388 reviews
 
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Excellent388 reviews
 
 
 
  
 
Excellent4.9582 reviews
 
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Excellent582 reviews
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Susan Kuning 
 
September 15, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
This is for people who want to be better photographers and get great shots - it's not for the faint of heart. We were up well pre-dawn each day and late each night (with a break during the day) and hiking to great locations. This company is serious about finding the great places to be at the right time of day, and then working with each attendee to improve their shots. I learned a tremendous amount on this trip from how to use my camera better for focus bracketing plus exposure bracketing to new techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop (and I wasn't a novice in these apps.) Highly recommended.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Steve P 
 
August 31, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Go where few have gone. See what few have seen. David Swindler has built a reputation as an outstanding photographer but also runs small personalized photography workshops around the world. Recently I attended the 5 day Marble Canyon workshop in Arizona. We were able to capture spectacular sunrise, sunset and monsoon photos (still and drone) of Marble Canyon at different locations along its 65 mile path into the Grand Canyon. Base camp was Cliff Dwellers Hotel. We enjoyed clean comfortable rooms and excellent food at their restaurant. Our photography expert and guide, Shane McDermott -a professional photographer himself, was very easy going and willing to help us in anyway we needed. The workshop taught us new drone skills as well as better composition techniques for shooting stills. I am not an advanced photographer but was looking to advance my photography knowledge and experience and achieved this in spades. If you are looking for a new experience and willing to step into a place very few people have ever witnessed, then the Marble Canyon workshop with ActionPhotoTours.com is for you!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 S.R. Potts 
 
August 26, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
David Swindler has built a reputation as an outstanding photographer but also runs small personalized photography workshops around the world.  Recently I attended the 5 day Marble Canyon workshop in Arizona.  We were able to capture spectacular sunrise, sunset and monsoon photos (still and drone) of Marble Canyon at different locations along its 65 mile path into the Grand Canyon.  Base camp was Cliff Dwellers Hotel.  We enjoyed clean comfortable rooms and excellent food at their restaurant.  Our photography expert and guide, Shane McDermott -a professional photographer himself, was very easy going and willing to help us in anyway we needed. The workshop taught us new drone skills as well as better composition techniques for shooting stills.  I am not an advanced photographer but was looking to advance my photography knowledge and experience and achieved this in spades. If you are looking for a new experience and willing to step into a place very few people have ever witnessed, then the Marble Canyon workshop with ActionPhotoTours.com is for you!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Marcus Simon 
 
August 23, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I took a photo workshop at the Wave and Escalante near Kanab, Utah, Moab monsoon workshop, and a Marble Canyon drone workshop.  They were awesome workshops! Great instructor, locations, and people.  I highly recommend the Action Photo Tours Team!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Lucia Souza 
 
August 16, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I recently returned from the Mount Rainier workshop, and it was an incredible experience. From the beginning, A.J.Rich and Shane McDermott made sure everything was well organized and that we had the best opportunities to capture great images. They carefully scout locations before the workshop and are always available in the field to answer questions about cameras, tripods, drones, and other equipment, regardless of the brand. Their knowledge, patience, and professionalism truly make a difference. A.J.and Shane clearly love what they do, they represent Action Photo Tours exceptionally well, I highly recommend them for both  private or group workshops. Thank you for another amazing trip, I’m proud to be part of the Action Photo Tours family and already looking forward to the next adventure!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 SouzaLu 
 
August 16, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Great workshop with a reliable and professional company! I recently returned from the Mount Rainier workshop, and it was an incredible experience! From the beginning, A.J Rich and Shane McDermott made sure everything was well organized and that we had the best opportunities to capture great images. They carefully scout locations before the workshop and are always available in the field to answer questions about cameras, tripods, drones, and other equipment, regardless of the brand, their knowledge, patience, and professionalism truly make a difference, A.J. and Shane clearly love what they do and represent Action Photo Tours exceptionally well, I highly recommend them for a group or private workshops. I’m proud to be part of the Action Photo Tours family and already looking forward to the next adventure!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Sherl Cayton 
 
July 21, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I had a really outstanding photog workshop into Glacier National Park with AJ Rich and Kevin McNeal of Action Photo Tours.  They both went above and beyond to ensure we all had a great experience.  They were very helpful while in the field shooting and informative with processing procedures.  Can't wait to join them on another adventure!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Cindy Seavert 
 
July 4, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
This was my first photo tour, and I am just floored with how much fun we had, how much we learned, how much sleep we lost  =]. We shot gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, Palouse Falls, barns, the Weber house, Steptoe Butte, everything was just so photogenic.  Our guides, Wendy and Ryan, were excellent.  I learned a lot in the afternoon classes as well as when we were out shooting.  We had a wonderful group of ladies, it was so much fun.  I signed up for another one, down south, for next year.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Cindy S 
 
July 3, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Fantastic Photography Tour! Ryan and Wendy, our guides, were fantastic, very knowledgeable, and very patient lol. We all had a really fun time. Ryan and Wendy both kept asking if anyone needed help with composition or anything. The places we went to were very cool, I felt like I was on another planet in Steptoe Butte. We packed a lot in while we were there. Everyone in our group was fantastic (we were the Chicks that Click group). I enjoyed it so much I signed up with another tour down south next year.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Subrata Sen 
 
June 8, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
My 3rd trip with Action Photo Tours was along the southern Oregon /Northern California coast. They are the Swiss multi-tool of the photo-travel world. They go everywhere, all at the right times, with the most considerate, knowledgeable and organized tour leaders. I highly recommend them.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Liltrave 
 
May 17, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Great tour to white pockets My husband wanted to go to White pockets and it would have been a difficult drive for us. You must have a four-wheel-drive high clearance vehicle. The drive there is one hour on paved highway, but then another one hour on a very bumpy back road so be prepared. We met Kevin at the office in Kanab. It's out-of-the-way and hard to get to so it was nice to have someone who knows the area. Kevin was really good about pointing out areas to take pictures and advising my husband on photo opportunities in a different perspective. Kevin was knowledgeable about photography & very nice.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Cindy P 
 
May 2, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Beautiful Patagonia Patagonia is beautiful. One of my favorite trips.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Roberto Morgenstern 
 
April 16, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Incredible workshops. Excellent Company. Very profesionals. Strongly recomended.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 _rmu66 
 
April 16, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Extremly recomended. Wild Horses in Utah, an incredible experience. Action Photo tours is highly recomended. Been in many workshops with them and always a great experience.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Andree Thorpe 
 
April 1, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m honestly not even sure where to begin, this photography trip completely exceeded every expectation I had. I’ve attended and assisted in many workshops over the years, and I’ve been fortunate enough to experience incredible places like South Georgia, Svalbard, Antarctica, Iceland, and Greenland. But this journey to the Maasai Mara was something else entirely. It moved me in a way I didn’t expect, there were moments when I literally had tears running down my cheeks. Everything was absolutely flawless. The organization was seamless from start to finish, which allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience without worrying about a single detail. The depth of knowledge shared about wildlife photography was exceptional, insightful, practical, and truly inspiring. And the team, just phenomenal. From the workshop leaders to the drivers, everyone played a part in making this experience unforgettable. The drivers, in particular, were outstanding, their skill, intuition, and ability to position us perfectly for incredible shots made all the difference. This wasn’t just a photography trip. It was an emotional, inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with me forever. I’m beyond grateful to have been part of it.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 R D 
 
March 31, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
A great Time! What a great time! Very well executed flexible schedule which brought us to the right location each day. Wendy and Sara are knowledgeable and top tier guides. The hardest decision is which trip to do next with Action Photo Tours.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Lynn C 
 
March 28, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Great Action Photo Tour to the Southern Plantations in Charleston, SC My husband and I just finished our first photography tour with Action Photo Tours. It was excellent! Each day's activities were timed so we were in the best location at the right time. Our guide, Shane did everything possible to make our experience the best it could be. He was always available and able to answer our questions, and the group used different brands of cameras with various plug-ins. He has an incredible depth of knowledge, and he clearly loves photography and helping people. We had two classroom sessions. The first session was very informative and really highlighted a global way of looking at processing pictures. It has changed the approach I will take going forward. Shane was very positive about the pictures we had taken and then worked with us to achieve the best outcome for each picture. We will definitely try other tours with Action Photo with the hope that all the guides share Shane's level of enthusiasm for photography and desire to make the tour the best experience it can be.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Dean Fiergang 
 
March 26, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Milky Way Photography with Wendy Casey and Sarah Shumaker was an excellent trip!!!!!!  These two people hosted a perfectly executed photo tour with ample hands on assistance, and the most wonderful disposition ever!  They are true professionals, in their own photographic skills, ability to teach and communicate effectively, plan and execute, adapt to changes in weather, and cater each trip to the abilities of the group.  I hope to join them each on future trips!!!   WILD HORSES NEXT?
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Dean F 
 
March 26, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Milky Way photography Milky Way Photography with Wendy Casey and Sarah Shumaker was an excellent trip!!!!!! These two people hosted a perfectly executed photo tour with ample hands on assistance, and the most wonderful disposition ever! They are true professionals, in their own photographic skills, ability to teach and communicate effectively, plan and execute, adapt to changes in weather, and cater each trip to the abilities of the group. I hope to join them each on future trips!!! WILD HORSES NEXT?
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Robert Shely 
 
March 25, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I've just returned from an OUTSTANDING ADVENTURE led by Wendy Casey and seconded by Sarah Shumaker in the MILKY WAY AND BEYOND WORKSHOP.   At least three characteristics of this trip stood out and made it an excellent experience.   First, the Milky Way itself.  The skies cooperated and the Milky Way stood out prominently, inviting observers to consider themselves as citizens of the Galaxy for those few hours where we stood alone in peaceful night weather soaking it its lights.   Second, the Utah foreground opportunities in this workshop are simply outstanding -- almost other-worldly.  They are just made for this adventure.  And third -- the instruction.  Wendy had all participants -- even very experienced photographers -- bring their camera body, night time lens, tripod and cable release to a day-time pre-shoot session, to ensure that everyone could and did find the settings on their camera in the light, which made the participants much more efficient and effective at night, when we wanted to douse lights as quickly as possible.  If you are a Milky Way fan, try this workshop.  If you have no experience with the Milky Way, this is great way to work into it. Bob Shely
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mark Jen Hunt 
 
March 25, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
If you are looking for an "obsessed" photography itinerary that pushes your skills and fills your heart, look no further. I just wrapped up the March 15–20, 2026 Death Valley workshop, and it was a masterclass in both curation and community. This wasn’t just a tour; it was a deep dive. We hit the icons like Artist Palette, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Badwater Basin but the real magic was in the "grind." The team’s dedication is unmatched; they coordinated a midnight departure for a 2.5-hour drive just so we could capture the Milky Way over Racetrack Playa. So cool!!! Between that and two other early-morning astro sessions, the "minimal sleep" was a small price to pay for the full heart and amazing photos I’m taking home. A massive thank you to Ryan McGinty. His technical expertise helped me master more of my camera settings and was so patient and kind. They don't just take you to a location; they ensure you walk away with the shot and the knowledge to recreate it. The best part of an Action Photo Tour is the kindred spirits you meet. From the endless laughs with fellow participants to the spontaneous connections made over sunrise excursions, this workshop attracts a fantastic group of creatives. Ryan and Kevin recommend additional areas for me to explore as I was stayed three extra nights.  I’m heading back to work exhausted but with a very full heart (and numerous photos). If you want a workshop that values time, effort, and incredible locations, book with Action Photo Tours. I look forward to booking another workshop with them.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Jen H 
 
March 25, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Well Curated Itinerary and Fun! If you are looking for an "obsessed" photography itinerary that pushes your skills and fills your heart, look no further. I just wrapped up the March 15–20, 2026 Death Valley workshop, and it was a masterclass in both curation and community. This wasn’t just a tour; it was a deep dive. We hit the icons like Artist Palette, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Badwater Basin but the real magic was in the "grind." The team’s dedication is unmatched; they coordinated a midnight departure for a 2.5-hour drive just so we could capture the Milky Way over Racetrack Playa. So cool!!! Between that and two other early-morning astro sessions, the "minimal sleep" was a small price to pay for the full heart and amazing photos I’m taking home. A massive thank you to Ryan McGinty. His technical expertise helped me master more of my camera settings and was so patient and kind. They don't just take you to a location; they ensure you walk away with the shot and the knowledge to recreate it. The best part of an Action Photo Tour is the kindred spirits you meet. From the endless laughs with fellow participants to the spontaneous connections made over sunrise excursions, this workshop attracts a fantastic group of creatives. Ryan and Kevin recommend additional areas for me to explore as I was stayed three extra nights. I’m heading back to work exhausted but with a very full heart (and numerous photos). If you want a workshop that values time, effort, and incredible locations, book with Action Photo Tours. I look forward to booking another workshop with them.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 howard grodin 
 
March 19, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Good afternoon, This is my second adventure with Action Photo Tours. My trip to India was an amazing experience. There are several steps before boarding an airplane and David provided me (and the group) with detailed instructions for filling out the eVisa so the process was smooth. Once we were in Delhi, we all met at the Pride Hotel and transportation was arranged so we felt safe with our bags when traveling to Delhi Airport. David and Nitish provided us with ticket information with Indiago airlines to our first jungle camp. They also provided us with a PDF checklist as security in India is much stricter than in the United States. I learned that all camera equipment is going to put into a bin for screening along with the camera case separately. Also, I already bring several 2.5-gallon clear ziplock bags that I used to place all cords, chargers, hard drives, so the scanner can see that these items are safe. At all three camps, the morning sessions were generally better for photography since the tigers and other wildlife usually were more active. However, with wildlife, anything is possible so the important thing to be prepared. We had several tiger sightings at Tadoba and Kanha national parks. We are restricted to staying on the dirt roads whereas the tigers are free to roam the wilderness. We all photographed a single male or female tiger walking in the woods and occasionally would choose to walk down the road which provided us with exciting opportunities while giving the tiger plenty of room so that it does turn away to head back into the jungle. My group with Nitish had 1 good leopard sighting at Pence but the other 2 vehicles did really did not. The overall experience of seeing these large animals up close is something that I will never forget. David and Nitish provided our group with plenty of individual instruction as requested/needed which improved our overall keeper rate. If you ever dreamed of going to India, make sure that you arrive a few days early (At your expense) so that you can go see the Taj Mahal and part of the golden triangle before starting your wildlife journey. David and Nitish are awesome to work with and made the entire experience worth the 17–20-hour flight from US to Delhi.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Larry C 
 
March 16, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Just completed a week in Moab, Utah on Actions Photo's "Level Up Moab" workshop.  This workshop was billed as being designed to help "break through creative plateaus and take full control of your photography", so in addition to getting great shots I learned some new techniques and tricks even though I’m pretty comfortable with my camera in manual mode.  The instructors are great and the scenery in and around Moab is unique and beautiful. Highly Recommend!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Larry C 
 
March 16, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Moab Photo Workshop - Great! Just completed a week in Moab, Utah on Actions Photo's "Level Up Moab" workshop. This workshop was billed as being designed to help "break through creative plateaus and take full control of your photography", so in addition to getting great shots I learned some new techniques and tricks even though I’m pretty comfortable with my camera in manual mode. The instructors are great and the scenery in and around Moab is unique and beautiful. Highly Recommend!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Lloyd Stuart, M.D. 
 
February 10, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Outstanding photo tours with experts.  They take you to the best locations and help you with post processing.  Most of their clients have been on numerous tours - me included.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 robert golub 
 
February 10, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Just finished a winter workshop in Yosemite. Not as much snow as I hoped for, but nevertheless an outstanding workshop. The guides were incredible. Extremely knowledgeable and incredible teachers. I highly recommend Action Photo Tours.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 lstuartmd 
 
February 10, 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Action Photo Tours is the best in the industry These guys are excellent. Great photo tours from those doing it as a hobby to professionals. They take you to the best locations and help you with composition and post processing. I've been on several of their tours and can't wait to go on more.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Mike S 
 
November 29, 2025
 
 
 Verified 
A fun year with Action Photo This has been a fun and busy year with four photo adventures with Action Photo Tours, with the most recent on the Cypress Swamp workshop. The year began with a fun N. Utah winter adventure, followed by two spectacular Milky Way workshops in the Bisti Badlands and White Pocket, and finally the Cypress Swamp. I enjoy the small group size workshop environment and look forward to exploring other APT adventures.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 snapngo 
 
November 22, 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Coyote Buttes South Sunset Tour While my husband had visited Coyote Buttes South, I had never been there. We chose Action Photo Tours because they are photography oriented and were the only guide service offering a sunset tour. Our guide Kevin is an accomplished photographer and we enjoyed talking with him about photography in this area and other locations in the US. While my husband recognized several formations from his previous trip, Kevin showed us new areas to explore. As a bonus, a group of big horn sheep appeared and almost seemed to pose for us. We stayed til dusk so that we could get great sunset photos.Before visiting Coyote Buttes South, you must obtain a permit from the Bureau of Land Management. There is a limited number of permits to be had, so you must obtain your permit several months in advance of your visit. The roads to Coyote Buttes South are covered with deep sand and are constantly changing. Do not try this route on your own in a typical rental SUV. Rather than risk getting stuck or breaking down (it does happen), working with a guide such as Action Photos is invaluable.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Victor B 
 
November 15, 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Excellent experience I congratulate Action Photo Group for organizing these photography tours. Very well organized, excellent instructors, outstanding service, and above all, very professional.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Rick D 
 
October 12, 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Great learning experience! Shane McDermott & A.J. Rich of Action Photo Tours were the instructors on two 5-day drone workshops I attended in Sept. & Oct in Utah. Their instruction, patience and professionalism shown in both drone workshops I attended in Hanksville and Kanab, Utah was terrific. I learned a lot about flying, capturing outstanding images & enjoying the comraderie of fellow drone enthusiasts! These workshops were very successful experiences. I look forward to my next Action Photo experience!!!Rick DavisonO’Fallon, IL