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Discover the Badlands
Photography Tour

Highlights

  • Hands-on photography instruction from two award-winning, professional nature photographers: Alyce Bender, a Tamron Ambassador, and Andrew Peschong, a South Dakota native and local guide. 

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  • Photography from the sky! This tour includes a doors-off helicopter flight over the park to allow for aerial images unable to be obtained through other means as drones are illegal within the park.

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  • Explore the underrated and underappreciated North American grassland ecosystem along with the variety of wildlife this habitat encompasses - including bison, prairie dogs, and burrowing owls!

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  • Ideal photography tour for those interested in learning more about all aspects of landscape photography, from small scenes to grand landscapes.

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  • While a tour, we will have time for image reviews during the afternoons as well.

Badlands National Park, located in the rolling plains of South Dakota, is a unique location with fascinating geological formations, abundant wildlife, and rich history providing an ideal setting for the nature photographer. It also provides dark skies for amazing star gazing and astrophotography opportunities.​​ Spring and early summer brings lush grasses to the plains and the abundant wildlife of Badlands can often be seen taking advantage of the food source before it withers under the summer heat. Frequent weather systems also bring dramatic skies to enhance the backdrops to these already stunning landscapes.

Long daylight hours provide plenty of time to explore the park and surrounding areas for a multitude of photography opportunities. Join Tamron Ambassador Alyce Bender and co-leader, Andrew Peschong, a native to South Dakota who has been exploring Badlands for many years, as we guide you through capturing a diverse and unique portfolio showing just how good the Badlands can be!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive and Meet & Greet

We will meet in Rapid City, SD with flights arriving no later than 1pm on our first day. From there we

will make the drive from Rapid City to Wall and get checked into our hotel. Centrally located, our hotel makes for easy walking for dining options as well as putting us at the gateway into Badlands National Park.  After an early dinner, we will head out for our first session in the park at one of the many vistas.

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Day 2 – Full Day of Exploring Badlands National Park (East Side*) 

Up very early this morning, we head out to catch sunrise on the east side of the park. With the sun coming up around 5AM, you can see our departure from the hotel is going to be early. This is the morning we will also take part in our doors-off helicopter flight over the park.  

 

We will take a bit of a rest in the early afternoon allowing participants to charge batteries, download or review images - even take a nap (totally allowed!). Around 4PM we will reconvene for an early dinner before heading out for a sunset session.

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Included Meal: Breakfast

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Day 3 – Full Day of Exploring Badlands National Park (West Side*)

Up early again, we head out for a sunrise vista on the west side of the park this morning. After sunrise, we will continue to follow the light and our inspiration as we visit both new and previously visited locations on this side of the park depending on the weather, light, and group goals.

 

After lunch, we will take a bit of a rest in the early afternoon once again which is a great time for image reviews or a walk about town to take in the world famous Wall Drug store. Around 4PM we will gather for our final dinner and sunset session.

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Included Meal: Breakfast

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Day 4 - Morning Session & Return Home

We leave the hotel early to catch our last sunrise over the unique Badlands landscape before returning to the hotel to pack for check-out. We will have everyone back in Rapid City by noon for late afternoon/evening flights.

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Included Meal: Breakfast

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The workshop concludes at noon on Day 4 when we drop participants back at the airport (RAP).​

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*Locations and flights are weather dependent and daily itinerary may be adjusted as needed for best results and group safety.

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A. BENDER PHOTOGRAPHY LLC IS AN AUTHORIZED PERMITTEE OF BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

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Inclusions

  • Ground Transportation from/to RAP and locally during Tour

  • In-field Photography Instruction w/Alyce Bender and Andrew Peschong

  • 3 Nights Lodging - Single 

  • ​Listed Meals

  • Water

  • 1 Doors-off Helicopter Flight 

  • Afternoon Image Review 

  • All Entrance Fees & Permits

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Exclusions

  • Transportation to/from your home to Rapid City, SD

  • Any Meals, Snacks, and Beverages not listed

  • Any pre- or post-tour SD lodging or transportation

  • Personal Purchases​

  • Travel/Gear Insurance

  • Guide & Instructor Gratuities

Suggested Camera Gear

  • Two Camera Bodies (to limit lens changes in dusty environment)

  • Telephoto lens - 400mm+ for wildlife

  • Mid range variable  – 35-100mm for environmental wildlife & landscape

  • Ultra-wide - 14-28mm for grand landscape & astro; preferably f/2.8 or less

  • Tripod - for stability and pre-positioning during wait times

  • L-bracket - makes for easier photography when composing both vertically and horizontally

  • Plenty of batteries and memory cards

  • Headlamp with red light for pre-sunrise/post-sunset walks back to the car

  • Laptop or other system for reviewing and backing up images

  • Gear Insurance

Meet Your Instructors

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