Action Photo Tours

Mark Jen Hunt

6 months ago

If you are looking for an "obsessed" photography itinerary that pushes your skills and fills your heart, look no further. I just wrapped up the March 15–20, 2026 Death Valley workshop, and it was a masterclass in both curation and community. This wasn’t just a tour; it was a deep dive. We hit the icons like Artist Palette, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Badwater Basin but the real magic was in the "grind." The team’s dedication is unmatched; they coordinated a midnight departure for a 2.5-hour drive just so we could capture the Milky Way over Racetrack Playa. So cool!!! Between that and two other early-morning astro sessions, the "minimal sleep" was a small price to pay for the full heart and amazing photos I’m taking home. A massive thank you to Ryan McGinty. His technical expertise helped me master more of my camera settings and was so patient and kind. They don't just take you to a location; they ensure you walk away with the shot and the knowledge to recreate it. The best part of an Action Photo Tour is the kindred spirits you meet. From the endless laughs with fellow participants to the spontaneous connections made over sunrise excursions, this workshop attracts a fantastic group of creatives. Ryan and Kevin recommend additional areas for me to explore as I was stayed three extra nights. I’m heading back to work exhausted but with a very full heart (and numerous photos). If you want a workshop that values time, effort, and incredible locations, book with Action Photo Tours. I look forward to booking another workshop with them.

Larry C

6 months ago

Just completed a week in Moab, Utah on Actions Photo's "Level Up Moab" workshop. This workshop was billed as being designed to help "break through creative plateaus and take full control of your photography", so in addition to getting great shots I learned some new techniques and tricks even though I’m pretty comfortable with my camera in manual mode. The instructors are great and the scenery in and around Moab is unique and beautiful. Highly Recommend!

Doug Sturgess

7 months ago

I had a fantastic experience with Action Photo Tours during the February 2-7 photography workshop in Nordegg, Jasper, and Banff. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, from locations and timing to daily flow and on location support. The itinerary struck a great balance between iconic landscapes and quieter, lesser known scenes, which made for a really rewarding photographic experience. Workshop leaders Kevin McNeal and Shane McDermott were outstanding. Both are generous with their knowledge and genuinely invested in helping each participant improve, whether that meant refining composition, working through technical challenges, or thinking more intentionally about light and mood. Their guidance was calm, clear, and always respectful of each photographer’s individual style. What really stood out was the atmosphere. The group dynamic was relaxed and supportive, never rushed or competitive. Mornings and evenings were planned intelligently around light and conditions, and there was always flexibility when weather or wildlife presented unexpected opportunities. If you are looking for a well organized workshop with experienced leaders who care deeply about both photography and the people behind the cameras, I highly recommend Action Photo Tours. This was a memorable week in some of the most beautiful landscapes in Canada, and I came away with strong images, new skills, and a renewed sense of inspiration.

Michael Olbinski

8 months ago

I've worked with Action Photo Tours for two straight years now, acting as a guide and fellow instructor along with David Swindler. I find it to be incredibly well-run, organized and superbly suited for people to learn how to chase and capture monsoon lightning. David is patient, thoughtful and uniquely built for photography workshops...a natural teacher! Attached a few photos from our workshop in 2025!

Aaron Plotkin

a year ago

Action Photo Tours provided a stunning experience for us a 8 hour private tour. From James in the office who is the operations manager and helped greatly with and after our booking, to David the owner who ended up talking to me and sent over our contract, to Kevin our expert tour guide. They all are PROS at what they do. Communication was easy in setting up and adjusting the tour to our abilities and preferences ahead of time. Kevin took us to 3 sites and we only saw one person shooting with us in one location for a short time during the whole 8 hours tour. It was so wonderful and worth every penny. I will be back to do group tours next year for sure but for this one it was stunning to be just with my partner and Kevin. We had some specific needs due to mobility and Kevin accommodated us and went out of his way to make it was safe for us but yet let us see incredible sites. We toured Tree Cave, Stud Horse hoodoos and badlands and could not have been happier. This outfit is the real deal and worth every penny. See pictures below. I have only edited a very limited selection so far but wanted to get this review up. -Aaron Plotkin