Why Choose American Photo Treks?
Join our community of passionate photographers and explore the world through your lens. Let your creativity soar as you capture stunning images in breathtaking locations.
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Hands-On Photography Experience
Immerse Yourself in Nature
Guidance from Award-Winning Instructors
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Explore Our Photography Workshops
Unleash your potential through our hands-on photography workshops. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned photographer, our workshops offer something for everyone.
Meet Our Photography Instructors
Get to know the minds behind our photography workshops. Our instructors are dedicated to providing you with valuable insights and helping you elevate your photography skills.
Dave Soldano
Landscape and Nature Photographer
With over a decade of experience, Dave Soldano is an award-winning landscape and nature photographer whose passion for capturing the beauty of the natural world has inspired countless individuals. Since beginning his photography career in 2011, Dave has developed a reputation for his exceptional skills, keen eye for detail, and deep love for the art of photography.
An active member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Dave has achieved several prestigious honors, including the Master of Photography degree and recognition as a two-time Diamond Photographer of the Year. He has also been named a Grand Imaging Award finalist, showcasing his ability to consistently produce work of the highest quality.
Dave's international recognition extends to his selection as a member of Team USA in the World Photographic Cup – an achievement he has earned twice. This year, he is proud to be a finalist in the Landscape Category, further solidifying his place among the world’s best photographers.
Beyond his creative work, Dave is deeply passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge with fellow photographers. He enjoys mentoring others, helping them grow in their craft, and fostering a supportive community. His expertise spans both traditional photography and aerial imaging, as he is a FAA-licensed drone operator and a specialist in Sony camera systems and DJI drone technology.
Whether capturing breathtaking landscapes or exploring new perspectives from the sky, Dave continues to push the boundaries of his craft, always with a focus on producing images that inspire and awe.
Dave's Socials
Dave's Gallery
Ken Childress
Landscape and Nature Photographer
Ken is a software engineer and has been working with computers and writing software for 40 years. He is looking towards retirement in the next couple of years and being able to devote more time towards photography. Photgraphy has been an interest for Ken since his high school years. He is experienced with film photography including film development, both B&W, color negative, and color transparency processing. He has done darkroom printing of B&W, color negative, and color transparencies. The advent of digital photography has really expanded his photographic creativity since the digital darkroom has melded with his software experience and interests.
Since starting American Photo Treks with Dave Soldano in 2015, the ability to travel conducting workshops has enabled him to exploring many unique areas in Colorado and the west.
Ken is an active member with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He has earned his Master in Photography Degree and is also Certified Professional Photographer (CPP). Ken has earned Silver and Gold medals. In the 2025 IPC competition, Ken is a finalist (top 32) in two different categories. Ken is also a member of PPA's Team USA which participates in the World Photograpic Cup (WPC). He has an image that is a finalist (top 10) in the Nature/Landscape category. The individual and country winners will be announced in March 2025.