May 15 - 19, 2026 - Group size: 4 - 8
$2,495.00
About this trip
Badlands National Park offers one of the most rewarding environments for sharpening your eye and mastering landscape composition. Unlike more iconic locations where compositions often present themselves, the Badlands challenge you to dig deeper—to see beyond the obvious. Here, the raw ingredients of great images are everywhere, but crafting a compelling photograph requires thought, patience, and a deeper understanding of visual design.
In this immersive Masterclass, I’ll guide you through the process of building strong, expressive compositions using the layered terrain, light, and atmosphere unique to this landscape. The techniques you'll gain here won’t just apply to the Badlands—they'll elevate your photography anywhere in the world.
What to Expect
This workshop is about going beyond the obvious. While most Badlands photo tours stick to the familiar roadside overlooks, I’ll take you to a curated selection of lesser-known, hard-to-find locations I’ve discovered over years of exploring this incredible landscape—places that offer unique and dramatic photographic potential. Designed for photographers who want to push their creative boundaries, this workshop emphasizes the art and craft of landscape composition. We’ll dive deep into both the theory and hands-on techniques needed to make powerful, compelling images. Topics include near-far compositions, leading lines, visual progression, extreme perspectives, scouting strategies, focus stacking, and how to work with dramatic light and weather.
We'll also cover digital darkroom workflows to help you bring your images to life. With a flexible structure, in-depth field sessions, and thoughtful image critiques, this experience is crafted to be as inspiring as it is educational.
Physical requirements
We'll be venturing off the beaten path during this workshop, which means some hiking is involved. Most hikes will be short—typically under a mile or two—but the terrain can be uneven, with occasional steep sections. If you're in decent physical shape, you’ll find the hikes easy to moderate. However, those with mobility issues or limited fitness may find the terrain challenging. You don’t need to be an athlete, but if you have any physical limitations, please reach out before registering so we can discuss if this workshop is a good fit for you.
Workshop Schedule
Each day’s schedule is subject to change based on our chosen locations, shooting conditions, and the weather. If the weather is ideal, we may extend our time in the field. On less favorable days, we’ll shift focus to classroom instruction. Flexibility is essential for successful landscape photography, so please be prepared for plans to adapt as needed.
Day 1: We’ll meet in the afternoon for a welcome session (time and location will be provided prior to the workshop). This will include an introductory presentation, an overview of the schedule, Q&A, and planning for our first morning shoot. We’ll wrap up the day with a brief sunset session in the field.
Days 2–4: Prepare for three full days of immersive photography and instruction. Each morning, we’ll depart early—around 4 a.m.—to photograph sunrise, spending 2–4 hours in the field with a strong emphasis on composition and creative technique. After the morning shoot, we’ll return to Wall for classroom sessions covering landscape composition, digital darkroom processing, and daily image critiques. Breaks will be built into the day for meals and rest. In the late afternoon, we’ll head back out to photograph sunset, and on stormy days, we may remain in the field longer to capture dramatic skies. Expect long but rewarding days, with late nights and early starts—extra time will be set aside for rest and recovery throughout the workshop.
Final Evening – Day 4: The workshop concludes after our final sunset session. This schedule allows participants to rest the following morning before traveling home or continuing on to their next destination.
Lodging & Transportation
Lodging
Lodging is not included in the workshop fee. Wall offers a variety of accommodation options, all within a short walking distance of each other. You're welcome to book the lodging that best suits your preferences and budget.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to, from, and throughout the workshop. The nearest major airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), located approximately 55 miles from Wall. Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) is another option, about a four-hour drive away.
Payment & Cancelation Policy
The workshop fee covers instruction only. All other costs—such as transportation, lodging, meals, and National Park entry fees—are the responsibility of each participant.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve your spot. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the workshop start date.
If you need to cancel within 90 days of the workshop, a partial or full refund may be possible only if we are able to fill your spot, minus the $500 administrative fee. We understand that
emergencies happen—please contact us, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your situation.
