WHO ARE WE?

MPA offers trip-of-lifetime photography tours across the globe, and on-going photography instruction in our Sacramento classroom. Join us to experience Photography, Travel, Friendship, and Adventure.

Photography Tours 

Get ready to embark on a journey that transcends borders with MPA tours, where our key elements—Travel, Photography, Friendship, and Adventure—come together to craft unforgettable experiences! With a limited number of participants on each tour, we ensure you receive a personalized experience, providing a small client to instructor ratio one instructor on every tour. 

Whether you’re a novice with the camera or a seasoned photographer, we have got you covered! Our mission is to empower everyone to tap into their passion for photography, regardless of their level of expertise. We take joy in nurturing beginners and equally relish the challenge of working with advanced enthusiasts. Our aim? To help you fully embrace the joy of photography, build meaningful friendships, and marvel at the remarkable world we inhabit.

We’re excited to invite you on this amazing journey to create stunning images with confidence and indulge in our shared love for photography. But don’t just take our word for it. Head over to our  Trip Advisor page and Google Reviews and see what our clients are saying. Get a glimpse of their incredible work and hear their own accounts of their experiences with MPA. We can’t wait to welcome you to our community!

Photography Tours

In-Person Classes 

You may be visiting our web site as you’re eager to capture stunning images but may be uncertain about the techniques , where to start, and how to unlock the potential of a powerful camera.

At McKay Photography Academy, we’re dedicated to guiding you on your photographic journey. Our courses offer an engaging and relaxed learning environment, breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand lessons. With a focus on small group and classroom settings, we ensure you receive personalized attention for the best learning experience.

Our diverse range of classes includes ‘Mastering Your Camera, Parts 1-3’, ‘Travel Photography’, and ‘Photo Editing Courses’. No matter your skill level, we have the perfect course tailored to your needs. Step into the world of photography with us and let’s create beautiful memories together!

 

“If I were able to leave a review more than 5 stars I would. 5 stars is simply not enough to show how grateful I am for everything this company has shown me.
Obviously, they are as good as it comes regarding photography and teaching others everything there is to know about it.

However, this company goes far beyond just photography especially on international trips. They go out of their way to emphasize the cultures and people (the locals) of every where they go. Not only will you learn about photography, but if you don’t already, you will learn to love travel and love the people and culture of every place you visit.

It only took me one international trip with the McKay family to go from knowing absolutely nothing about photography to it instantly becoming a life long passion.”

Gage Collins

“McKay Photography Academy is a group of wonderful professional photographers who love to teach photography in the most amazing parts of the world. The trips are well organized to take advantage of the best possible photography opportunities. My skills as a photographer have improved greatly in the last 5 years since i went on my first McKay trip. In addition, I have made many friends on these trips. MPA attracts like minded enthusiasts….I highly recommend anybody interested in learning how to improve photography skills and want to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world to look up McKay Photography Academy!”

Mary Madden

 “I wish I could give them more stars! I’ve joined them on a couple of trips now, and every single one has been an amazing experience. You don’t just learn a ton about photography—you start to feel like you’re part of a family. Each member of the McKay team brings their own unique perspective. One might dive deep into the technical side, another into composition or artistic vision, another into post‑processing… and it just keeps going. Together, they cover everything in a way that feels effortless, inspiring, and incredibly fun.

But what truly sets them apart is who they are as people. When you join them, you’re not just signing up for a workshop—you’re joining a community. A big, warm, kind, like‑minded group that learns together, travels together, and supports one another.

I can’t wait for my next adventure with them!” 

Fabio van Roon

“I’ve been everywhere (at least 10 times) with David, Ally, Toby, and Steve. In their classroom, my backyard (SFO), up the California coast, Yosemite (and other national parks), and to Greenland. I started my photography hobby with the McKays (not knowing much), and now 10+ years later, I’m still learning and hearing them in my head with the principles they taught me. But what’s truly special here is that these are genuinely good and caring individuals. You’ll be joining a large community of kind and like-minded individuals who continually work and travel together. You’ll be laughing and learning simultaneously.”

Bryan Scanlon

WHERE NEXT?

McKay Photography Academy photography tours take place around the world. We invite you to join us on trips of a lifetime to experience Photography, Travel, Friendship, and Adventure!

Here is a sample of some of our upcoming tours!

View Photography Tours

UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

View Photography Classes