Experience the Badlands at Their Most Dynamic

The Badlands are never the same twice.

In mid-May, everything comes together—spring grasses bring life to the landscape, wildlife is active, and powerful weather systems roll across the plains, creating the kind of dramatic light landscape photographers dream about.

This workshop is built around those moments.

Not just being there—but knowing how to see them, anticipate them, and capture them when they happen.

This Is More Than a Location Workshop

Anyone can visit the Badlands.

Very few know how to truly photograph it.

The landscape is complex, chaotic, and constantly changing. Strong images don’t come from luck—they come from understanding light, simplifying scenes, and working a composition as conditions evolve.

That’s exactly what we’ll focus on.

You’ll learn how to:

• Simplify and organize complex landscapes

• Work with changing light and weather in real time

• Move beyond obvious compositions

• Create images that hold up as finished fine art prints

This workshop is limited to just 4–8 participants

That means:

• Individual attention in the field

• Real-time feedback as you’re shooting

• Help with composition, settings, and decision-making

• Space to work without feeling crowded

This is not a “follow the leader” workshop.

he workshop is based in Wall, South Dakota (just outside Badlands National Park), where we will conduct all classroom activities. We'll make several daily trips into the National Park for photography.

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.

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
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.

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.