Utah Badlands Drone Workshop

Sept 9-13, 2025 - Sold Out!

Sept 24-28, 2025

Are you ready to soar? Learn how to take amazing aerial shots on our Utah Badlands Drone Photography Workshop! We'll visit many of our favorite areas where you'll capture incredible shots from above. During our 5 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 shoot the best light. Expect plenty of individual attention with a small group of 8 participants and 2 pro instructors.

Tuition

$2250
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Max Group Size

8 Students Max
2 Pro Instructors

Instructor(s)

Shane McDermott
David Swindler*
A.J. Rich*

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Capture the beautiful Utah Badlands from above.
Master many advanced shooting methods with your drone.
Transportation provided in lifted 4x4 trucks.
Visit off-the-beaten path locations for aerial photography.
Expect individual attention with 4 students per instructor.
Learn aerial specific post-processing techniques.
In the event we cannot fly due to weather, we have lots of great locations for your regular camera and tripod.

Itinerary

In order to give our clients the best possible photography experience, 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 4PM in Hanksville UT with a short orientation session and classroom style instruction. When we're done, we grab a quick bite to eat and head out to shoot sunset from a location deep in the badlands.
Day 2: We wake up early to and capture sunrise shots of some colorful bentonite hills. We return for breakfast and hold a post-processing session where we'll cover our favorite techniques to enhance your aerial images. With overcast conditions, we venture out mid-afternoon and fly over several areas of badlands, culminating with a colorful sky at sunset!
Day 3: After driving some rough 4x4 roads, we drone at first light over some incredible formations with unbelievable textures, patterns, and colors. We return for breakfast and battery charging. After a midday break, we regroup for some image critiques and suggestions. For sunset we fly over some new areas of badlands coupled with layers of beautiful cliffs.
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 venture out deep in the backcountry again for one of our favorite secret spots for drone aerials. You'll love the varied images you come away with. We return to Hanksville in time to check-out and we say our good-byes no later than 11AM.

Drones

We will be watching the weather closely and go to locations with best chances for incredible aerial images. We'll also be monitoring the potential for strong winds and storms. If weather conditions are not suitable for flying a drone, we'll resort to ground level photography.

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 BEFORE coming on the workshop. The instructors can help you with improving your image acquisition, but they cannot fly nor operate your drone.

All participants need to bring at least 3 batteries for their drones. We recommend the latest drone models for best image quality, battery life, and flight technology.

If you want to shoot any drone video, filters are highly recommended for your drone. We recommend the circular polarizer and ND combo filters sold by companies like Polar Pro.

You will need to be able to download your drone images after each outing onto something like a laptop or portable hard drive. If you lose your drone, you don't want to also lose 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.

Logistics

Please arrive in Hanksville, UT prior to 4PM on the first day of the workshop. When you checkout, a 4-night lodging package will be added to your booking based on either single or double occupancy. We will be staying at the luxury cabins at Duke's Slickrock in Hanksville, UT. Please see the pricing section below for more details.

*Shane McDermott and David Swindler will instruct the Sept 9-13 group. Shane McDermott and A.J. Rich will instruct the Sept 24-28 group.

All transportation during the workshop is included in lifted 4x4 trucks. However, there is no public transportation to Hanksville so you'll need your own vehicle to get there. The nearest major airport is SLC International.

Everyone on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition. We aren't planning any long hikes, but the uneven terrain, sand, and steep uphills can make short hikes seem much harder. You should be comfortable walking a max of 1-2 miles per day while carrying your gear. Most locations will not require any hiking.

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!

Please see the gear list below to ensure you come prepared. We'll also setup a zoom meeting with all participants when we're 1-2 months out. Weather in the desert Southwest can be highly variable, so you need to come prepared for both hot and cold temperatures.

Food options are limited in Hanksville. If you have specific dietary needs, it is best to pick-up food in a larger town before arriving in Hanksville. The cabins all have microwaves and mini-fridges.

Pricing

$2250/person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

5-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
4-night lodging package in luxury cabins will be added to your booking. Cost is $450 for double occupancy or $900 for single occupancy.
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Hanksville, 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.

Recommended Camera Gear

Drone and controller. We recommend one of the newer models for best image quality and battery life.
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 cold at night.
Headlamp with fresh batteries.
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, and Thin Gloves.
Water bottle
Trekking Poles - bring them if they help you for the short hikes.

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.