Southwest Drone Photography

Sept 14-19, 2025 - Sold Out!

Sept 29-Oct 4, 2025

Learn how to take amazing aerial shots on our Southwest Drone Photography Workshop! Get off the beaten path where we'll visit areas of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona where you'll capture incredible shots from above. During our 6 days together you'll learn many advanced aerial photography and post-processing techniques. If the weather doesn't permit safe drone operation, we'll get out our regular cameras and tripods and take advantage of the best light. Expect plenty of individual attention with a small group of 8 participants and 2 pro instructors. All transportation provided.

Tuition

$2495
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Max Group Size

8 Students Max
4 Students per Instructor

Instructor(s)

Shane McDermott
David Swindler*
A.J. Rich*

Physical Intensity

Southern Utah Southwest Drone Photo Workshop

Highlights

Capture the remote areas of the beautiful southwest from a fresh, aerial perspective.
Visit rarely photographed locations where you'll build a diverse portfolio of aerial images.
Learn the best tips and tricks for aerial photography.
Transportation provided for all workshop outings so you don't have to worry about the rough roads.
Learn many new post-processing techniques.
Enjoy temperate weather and good flying conditions.
In the event we cannot fly due to weather, we have lots of backup locations for your regular camera and tripod.

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Itinerary

In order to deliver the best results, we keep the itinerary flexible to account for weather, conditions, and group interest. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1: We begin at 1PM in Kanab, UT with a short orientation session and classroom style instruction. When finished, we grab a quick bite to eat and head out to shoot sunset and blue hour from a location with incredible sandstone formations. The options are endless for big panoramics or tight abstracts.
Day 2: We wake up early to capture sunrise shots of a volcanic crater. We return for breakfast and hold a short classroom session. After lunch, we drive out to White Pocket. Even if you've been here before, it's going to look entirely different from the drone's-eye perspective. As long as winds are calm we'll be able to fly during blue hour.
Day 3: We drone at first light over some incredible Chinle formations with unbelievable textures, patterns, and colors. We return for breakfast and then hold a post-processing session where we'll cover our favorite techniques to enhance your aerial images. That afternoon we drive deep into the Grand Staircase Escalante and explore scenes of canyons, rock formations, and layered landscapes.
Days 4: With overcast skies this morning, we don't have to leave as early. We fly over some amazing colored badlands with intricate fractal patterns. At midday we hold another classroom session and then venture out to photograph a big viewpoint that looks even more amazing from the air!
Day 5: We are out well before dawn to capture drone aerials of some of the most colorful and varied sandstone you'll ever see. The options are endless for incredible abstract compositions. We hold a final image critique session before we venture deep into the backcountry with some stunning aerial landscapes.
Day 6: Departure day. You can plan your return travel anytime.

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Southwest Drone Photography Workshop Aerial

Drones

With a flexible itinerary, we will be watching the weather closely and go to locations with best chances for incredible aerial images. If weather conditions are not suitable for flying a drone (i.e. high winds), we'll resort to our DSLR/Mirrorless cameras and tripods. We don't anticipate this happening very often as the weather in Sept tends to be pretty stable.

All participants are responsible for flying their own drones. Action Photo Tours is not responsible for any drone malfunctions, crashes, or accidental damage. If you crash or damage your drone, there are no backups for you to use unless you bring a second drone. If weather conditions are unsafe for flying, we will not have any drones in the air. None of the areas we visit require any sort of technical flying. All are wide-open landscapes with no obstacles.

We highly recommend that you learn the basics of flying your drone BEFORE coming on the workshop. The instructor can help you with improving your image acquisition, but they will not be able to fly nor operate your drone.

All participants need to bring at least 3 batteries for their drones. You will also need a place to download your drone images after each shoot like a laptop or portable hard drive. If you lose your drone, you don't want to also lose all the images you worked so hard to acquire! You can also bring multiple memory cards and swap those out between flights if that helps you feel more comfortable.

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Logistics

Las Vegas is the closest international airport. It is a 3.5-hr drive from there to Kanab, Utah. Note that there is no public transportation to Kanab, so you would need a rental vehicle or your personal vehicle.

*Shane McDermott will instruct both workshop dates. David Swindler will instruct the Sept 14-19 dates and A.J. Rich will lead the Sept 29-Oct 4 group.

When you checkout, a 5-night lodging package will be added to your booking based on either single or double occupancy. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Kanab, UT. Please see the pricing section below for more details.

Food is not included in the workshop fee but there are many restaurants and grocery stores in Kanab. We will clearly communicate the next days itinerary so you can plan your food needs. Please note that meal times will be irregular due to our shooting schedule.

Please see the gear list below for suggestions on what to pack. For the most part, the weather is quite pleasant in late Sept. Temperatures have cooled from the summer months and the nights are cooler. You'll want a warm layer for cooler mornings and a rain jacket in case the weather turns on us. A warm hat and gloves are also recommended.

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Pricing

$2495/person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

6-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 2 Pro Instructors.
All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
Specialized drone instruction
Post-processing instruction and image critique.
Park Entrance Fees
5-night lodging package at the Holiday Inn Express will be added to your booking. Cost is $450 for double occupancy or $900 for single occupancy.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Kanab, 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, we'll send you a payment link for the remaining balance when we're approx 120 days out.

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Southern Utah Southwest Done Photography Workshop

Recommended Camera Gear

Drone and controller. We recommend one of the newer models for best image quality.
At least 3 drone batteries, battery charger, and extra propellers.
ND and or Circular Polarizer Filters for the drone (Optional)
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body and Lenses (in case we can't fly). We recommend a wide angle zoom in the 16-35mm range along with a mid-range zoom in the 24-70 or 24-105mm range.
Tripod (in case we can't fly).
Extra memory cards and cleaning supplies.
Comfortable backpack that can carry your drone, camera gear, snacks, and water.
Laptop or external hard drive to back up your photos.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
A rain jacket and a warm layer since it can get cooler at night.
Headlamp with fresh batteries.
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Warm Hat & Gloves.
Water bottle
Trekking Poles - bring them if they help you for the short hikes.

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Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

David Swindler

Founder - Photography Instructor

David Swindler is an award-winning landscape and wildlife photographer. Among others, he has been recognized by the International Photography Awards, Siena International Photo Awards, Sony World Photography Awards, International Landscape Photographer of the Year, and National Geographic. He received a degree in chemical engineering and worked in the semiconductor industry specializing in optics and photolithography. In 2014, he left his day job to follow his true passion. He has traveled to some of the most remote regions of the world and has extensive experience photographing a wide variety of subjects and conditions. As the founder of Action Photo Tours, he finds great satisfaction in helping others learn photography, especially in the wild desert environment near his home in Kanab, UT. David is an expert in night photography and loves to get out and shoot the starry night skies.

Gallery Awards and Media Coverage

Having guided photo tours for years, David is very familiar with many different types of cameras. He is a master with light and composition. But most importantly, his dedication to his clients is what really sets him apart! But don't take our word for it - read what others are saying: Trip Advisor.

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.

A.J. Rich

Photography Instructor

Ever since he was young, A.J. Rich has had a passion for all things visual. Growing up on the edge of St. George, Utah, he often sketched his favorite sports players and designed logos for his youth sports teams. A.J. also spent countless hours around his childhood home climbing rock mesas and exploring the unknown, including at nearby Zion National Park.

After graduating with a degree in graphic design from Brigham Young University in 2001, A.J. worked in the graphic design field for 20 years. In 2006 A.J. picked up a camera and, drawing on his art background, he has been a successful Getty Images contributor. In recent years he has focused on landscape photography—where his true passion lies.

Today the quest for the “timeless story” drives A.J. on all his outdoor adventures. While out in nature he seeks the ethereal and spiritual planes, and if he can capture them in a photograph, even better.

Currently A.J. works by day as a graphic designer and art director for BYU Brand & Creative, always dreaming of and planning for his next photography journey.