Tornado Alley Photo Workshop

June 26 - July 6, 2027

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime on this Tornado and Storm Chasing Photo Workshop, with 9 action-packed days devoted to tracking down the most extreme weather on Earth. Each morning we hit the road with fresh forecasts in hand, chasing the horizon in search of explosive supercells, electrifying lightning displays, and hopefully awe-inspiring tornadoes. Along the way, you’ll not only capture breathtaking images but also experience the adrenaline rush of the chase itself — the sights, the storms, and the raw power of nature. Expect to learn many new photo skills and post-processing techniques from your 2 pro instructors.

Tuition

$7850
Includes Lodging

Staff

1 Climatologist
2 Dedicated Drivers
2 Photo Instructors

Instructor(s)

Kevin McNeal
Kevin Dobo

Physical Intensity

Tornado Alley Storm Chasing Photo Workshop

Highlights

Crank up the adrenaline levels as we chase lightning, supercells, powerful storms, and possible tornadoes across the plains!
Late June is an active time for storms in Colorado, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Montana. With 9 full chase days, we'll maximize our chances for capturing the best action.
Accompanied by an expert climatologist, we'll get you to the most productive storms with a keen eye to safety.
Learn how to read the meteorological models, follow the radar, and position yourself for the best photos.
Improve your lightning and storm photo techniques with in-field instruction.
Maximize your learning and images with 2 pro-photographer instructors.
All participants will get a window seat in the van along with on-board wifi.
Lodging is included.

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Itinerary

Since this is a storm chasing workshop, the itinerary is completely dictated by the weather. We may have to drive some long distances to find the best storms. Each day starts with a clean slate and we'll make our plans based on real time meteorological data. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1: Meet at 7PM for a mandatory orientation session at our hotel near the Denver International Airport. We will cover many of the shooting techniques for storms, tornados, and lightning.
Day 2: We meet our tour climatologist at 9AM for a safety briefing and a look at the latest weather data. We'll hit the road as soon as we are done and drive to our highest probability storm location. Our forecasting pays off as we photograph a spectacular supercell over the expansive grasslands. We even manage to get some dramatic cloud-to-ground lightning bolts! We find a nearby hotel and settle in for the night.
Day 3: Today it looks like some big storms may form to the north of us. By mid-afternoon, it starts to get kind of crazy with heavy rain and hail. We manage to get around it and see a funnel cloud starting to form. The funnel hits the ground a few times as we furiously fire off shots. We continue to chase the action and are treated to glorious sunset light and beautiful clouds.
Day 4: After our morning rendezvous, we hold an image critique and post-processing session before we hit the road towards our next potential storm. This one is a good one with lots of swirling cloud structure, texture, and lightning! We spot some good cloud rotation but any funnels are hidden in the rain shaft. We stay out photographing lightning until well after dark.
Day 5: The weather data says we need to head further north, so we put in some long road mileage. But it's all worth it as we get to photograph our first full-fledged tornado! We follow this storm system for another couple hours, capturing many incredible images.
Day 6: Today is a quiet day on the weather front as a lot of atmospheric energy was sucked out by the previous day's storm. Without a high probability target, we spend the morning doing some post-processing training and then head out to photograph landscapes, quaint barns, windmills, and picturesque small towns. We end the day photographing sunset in a nearby national park.
Day 7: The models show a good deal of promise today so we head towards a system developing to our south. It turns into an exciting move-shoot-move situation as we follow a giant supercell across the plains. We all get some spectacular shots of cloud structure, lightning, and mammatus clouds.
Days 8-10: For our final 3 days of storm chasing, we'll follow a similar itinerary where we look at the weather data in the morning, make a plan, and drive out to find the best storms.
Day 11: It's hard to believe our storm chasing adventure is over! We hold one final post-processing session before starting the long drive back to Denver. You can plan your return travel for anytime after 4PM on July 6th.

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Logistics

Please arrive in Denver in time for our 7PM orientation session on June 26th at our hotel near the Denver Airport. Transportation is provided during the workshop in comfortable vans. All participants will have a window seat and access to onboard wifi. Please limit yourself to one suitcase along with your camera bag & tripod. We'll be spending a lot of time on the road chasing the next big storm, so bring things to keep yourself comfortable and entertained on the road.

During our 9 full days of storm chasing, we don't know where we'll end up. That is why we are including lodging on this workshop. We'll stay at the most convenient town to where we finish for the night. Depending on where the storms take us, the types of hotels we stay at may vary considerably from night to night. Each morning we'll meet together for a quick rendezvous to discuss the latest data and our plans for the coming day. Sometimes storm chasing can take us north into Canada, so make sure you bring a passport with at least 6 month of validity before expiration.

As storm chasing has some inherent risks, there are certain rules that we expect all participants to abide by. Anyone who jeopardizes the safety of themselves or the group due to non-compliance will be asked to leave the workshop.

Capturing daytime lightning requires a lightning trigger that is specific to your camera. The trigger is not needed for shooting lightning at dusk or at night. With lightning triggers, you get what you pay for. Cheap triggers will almost always deliver sub-par results. We recommend the new Bolt Hunter Device.

Our final day will be spent in transit back to Denver. We have no idea how far out we might be, so it may take us 6-10 hrs to get back. Plan on the worst case scenario and only schedule flights back home after 4PM on July 6th. No lodging is included the night of July 6th but you are welcome to book your own in Denver and fly out the next day.

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Pricing - 11 Days

$7850/Person + Tax

Trip Includes:

11-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 9 Full Days of storm chasing!
10 Nights Double Occupancy Hotel Lodging. Single Supplement adds $895.
Ground transportation in comfortable vans with a window seat, on-board wifi, charging ports, and redundant radar and gps systems. We will have 2 experienced drivers for our group.
Two pro-photographer instructors.
Classroom sessions covering topics like reading weather models, forecasting, planning, and photo techniques.
Post-processing and image critique as time allows per the daily schedule.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Denver.
Beverages, Meals, and Snacks
Optional Gratuities for Instructors and/or Drivers.

The Fine Print:

50% deposit required to hold your spot.
Remaining balance is due Feb 26, 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.
Please note that loyalty discounts do not apply to this workshop, as it is operated in partnership with a third party.
See the full Terms and Conditions.

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Physical Activity
This workshop is rated Easy. Very little walking is required, and most photography takes place close to the vehicles. No hiking experience or special level of fitness is needed. During active storms, we may enter and exit the vehicle several times within a relatively short period. Guests should be comfortable doing so safely and without assistance. Photography locations may occasionally involve short walks over uneven ground, but we will always position the vehicles as conveniently as conditions allow. Our instructors are available to assist with equipment and help guests find safe, comfortable places to photograph whenever possible.

Daily Schedule and Driving
Storm chasing is guided by changing weather conditions, so routes, timing, and daily plans may shift throughout the workshop. Some days may include extended periods in the vehicle as we travel to the most promising areas. Evening sessions can occasionally continue late when storms, lightning, or dramatic skies remain active after dark. When we stay out late, we generally plan a later start the following morning so guests have time to rest.

Can I Bring a Non-Photographer Companion?

How Do Deposits and Final Payments Work?

For most workshops, a 50% deposit is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance is typically due approximately 120 days prior to the workshop. We will contact you in advance to coordinate and process your final payment.

For workshops priced over $10,000, the payment schedule is structured differently. A 25% deposit is due at registration, with additional payments scheduled at 9 months, 6 months, and 4 months prior to departure. Specific payment terms for each trip are outlined on the individual workshop page and in your registration details.

What Level of Photographer Do I Need To Be?

All experience levels are welcome—from beginners to working professionals. Our mission is to help you capture your best images, no matter where you’re starting from.

At the beginning of each workshop, we’ll ask about your experience level and your goals. This allows us to tailor instruction specifically to you—whether that’s camera fundamentals, composition, night photography, or refining your editing workflow.

To get the most out of your experience, we strongly recommend reading our Ebook ahead of time. Familiarity with the basics (exposure, focus, and common camera settings) makes in-field learning more enjoyable and less stressful. We also encourage you to explore our Education page for additional resources.

Drones: If you plan to bring a drone, you must already be comfortable launching, landing, and flying safely before the workshop. Our instructors can teach photography techniques, but they cannot pilot your aircraft for you.

How Will I Know If I'll Like Your Trips?

A great way to get a feel for the experience is to hear directly from past guests.

We have 900+ five-star reviews—you can browse testimonials on both Google and Trip Advisor to see what participants consistently say about their time with us.

You can also visit our Client Images page to see the quality of photographs our participants create while on an adventure with us. Each year, we host the Action Photogs Photo Contest, where guests submit their favorite images from our trips. Viewing past contest videos is another excellent way to see the real results our clients achieve.

At some point, though, you simply have to take the leap. Many guests start with a day tour, overnight adventure, or short workshop to get to know us. Once they do, they tend to keep coming back—90% of our participants are repeat clients.

We’re confident that after your first trip, you’ll understand why.

What Level of Physical Fitness Is Required?

Should I Have Trip Insurance?

What Kind of Pre-Workshop Prep Do You Provide?

All workshops include a pre-workshop Zoom meeting held a few months before departure to review logistics, answer questions, and help you feel fully prepared.

Some workshops—especially international or logistically complex trips—also include a detailed PDF trip packet with itinerary information, travel logistics, packing lists, and other planning details.

How Does Double Occupancy Work?

Double occupancy cannot be guaranteed for solo travelers.

If you request double occupancy, we will do our best to match you with a same-gender roommate. However, if we’re unable to find a match—or if your assigned roommate later cancels—you may be required to upgrade to single occupancy.

If you register and book two spots together, double occupancy is guaranteed.

Please note: Upgrading to single occupancy does not create an exception to our cancellation policy.

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Tornado Alley Storm Chasing Photo Workshop Supercell

Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide Angle Zoom Lens (16-35mm on full frame, 10-22mm on crop sensor).
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Telephoto lenses are useful for distant storms and cloud patterns.
Bring a circular polarizer filter and or 3-stop ND filter for your wide angle and mid-range zoom lenses.
Lightning trigger. We recommend the new Bolt Hunter Device.
Extra batteries for your camera and lightning trigger along with extra memory cards.
A blower and micro-fiber cloth for cleaning.
Remote cord for your camera. We recommend a remote where you can lock down the button for back-to-back exposures.
Backpack or case for your gear.
When it starts raining, we will be packing up. Bring your lens hoods to help keep droplets off your lens!
Laptop if you wish to backup or edit your photos.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy footwear, hiking socks, and long pants.
A rain jacket since it can get cold when storms roll in.
Headlamp for when we are out at night.
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat
Water bottle.
Headphones, books, pillow and other items for entertainment on the road.
Passport with at least 6 month of validity before expiration for possible entry into Canada.

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Trusted by Over 900 Reviews

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.

Kevin Dobo

Photography Instructor

Kevin’s passion for landscape photography began more than 40 years ago during a youth group bicycle tour along the coast of Maine. At just 16 years old, he returned home, developed dozens of rolls of film, and quickly realized that what had captured his attention wasn’t people, but coastlines, forests, light, and the natural world.

That early connection between photography and outdoor exploration has shaped Kevin’s life ever since. His photographic journey and active outdoor lifestyle led him from his native Ohio to the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, through the Rockies of Colorado, and eventually into the Desert Southwest. He now lives in Kanab, Utah, where he leads Action Photo Tours day tours, overnight tours, and multi-day workshops.

Kevin’s primary passion is Southwest monsoon storm photography, which began after attending Action’s Storms & Saguaros workshop. From his first successful lightning capture, he was hooked. Since then, he has built a strong working knowledge of weather forecasting and spends weeks each summer chasing storms across southern Arizona and New Mexico.

In addition to storm photography, Kevin enjoys intimate landscapes, abstract and minimalist compositions, drone photography, and astrophotography. In the field, he enjoys helping guests slow down, recognize strong light and composition, and experience the simple pleasure of capturing a magical moment outdoors.