A custom photography & horseback trail ride has been created for you!  Bring your camera, a single lens, and enjoy a beautiful trail ride on horseback through the Sonoran Desert!  This is something unforgettable!    You will have a variety of stops along the way for photography while riding your horse.   This includes photographing cowboys and/or cowgirls riding in the desert for you while you take photos!  You will be paired with a horse that is right for your physical and riding skills.  If you've never ridden a horse--no worries!  You can still join and learn the basics easily!

The views of the Superstition Mountains and surrounding wild desert are stunning in the evening light!  This optional trail ride is something participants have really enjoyed in the past.  Enjoy the sunset amidst some of the most beautiful country in the Valley of the Sun!  (Cost of optional ride is not included in the workshop, but is about $90/person, plus tip.)

(OPTIONAL):  Come to the ranch early, get checked in early, and receive your scavenger hunt list!  Walk around the ranch and capture as many things on the list as you can.  This activity helps get the brain in gear to photograph a variety of things at the ranch while also getting familiar with the grounds!  

If you have watched Lisa's tutorial videos (included in registration) and still would like to learn more, join us for a camera clinic hosted by your instructors at the ranch.  We will answer questions, help ensure that you and your camera are ready for this workshop, and more.  

All participants will join us for a welcome dinner and presentation to help prepare you and your camera for the upcoming photographic events over the next three days!   We will also spend time getting to know each other!

Enjoy a continental breakfast and hot "cowboy coffee," then you will be directed to start photographing your first event of the day!

We will continue with various photographic activities, with breaks, snacks and instruction throughout the morning, delighting you and your camera!  

Learn through fun, interactive activities how to pose, use natural and reflected light, and more to capture portraits without intimidation!  We incorporate lots of laughter with our instruction so that everyone is having a good time while learning!  Build your knowledge through sequential, hands-on activities with our cowboys, cowgirls, and re-enactment actors.  You'll move through various stations and activities to capture a wide variety of images to delight your portfolio and enhance  your skills.   

We will also focus on other photographic activities to keep the diversity going.  Your memory cards will be happy!

We will have a wonderful catered lunch with all of the "fixin's" for you!  This will give you a chance to rest, visit with your workshop-mates and instructors, and perhaps even "chimp" a little on the back of your cameras!

Apply everything you've learned thus far and translate it into spectacular imagery with continued focus on diversity of photography-- we have a variety of action, candid shots, portraits, silhouettes and more planned for the rest of the day! You'll be drooling with these photo ops!

We will kick off the day with a continental breakfast followed by several photographic activities that will hone your skills and dazzle your camera!  The desert, horses, cattle and cowboys/cowgirls are here to give you a wonderful show!

Grab your camera and explore the ranch! We will have stations with various activities to delight you and your camera!  Whether it's photographing cowboys doing roping, action, leatherwork, or other ranch-life activities, you will have scenes to choose from that are perfect for those wonderful candid shots and more.  

Enjoy a catered lunch while relaxing in the shade of our dining tent.  

We will add even more new techniques and scenarios to the mix of photography that we offer on the Magic of Cowboys!  Enjoy action, portraits, golden-hour light and silhouette light during the afternoon through sunset at the ranch!

Eat up and then saddle up your cameras for one last day of photography!  We have some special events planned for you throughout the morning and midday!  The photography opportunities will be beautiful!!  

You will enjoy an authentic chuckwagon style, hearty lunch prepared by our award-winning chuckwagon cook, Barb!  Barb has won awards around the country for the meals she prepares in Dutch ovens over hot coals and fire.  You can taste the authenticity! Additionally, photographing her while she prepares her dishes offers yet another wonderful set of images for your portfolios!
(*NOTE:  We can accommodate most medically necessary dietary restrictions.)

Our special guest, Steve Holmquist, will be singing for you during lunch!  Afterward, he will be available for portraits, now that you know the basics of how to do it!!  He is known in Arizona and beyond for his wonderfully creative and beautiful original songs that are rich with history, legend and lore!  

Our event concludes with a final activity and sadly, goodbyes!  Our goodbyes, however, are not for long because you will have a webinar to attend for additional learning and sharing in March 2025. 

This webinar for attendees is designed to allow you an opportunity to get editing ideas and tips and clarify any questions relating to the instruction provided during Magic of Cowboys.   You may also submit images for editing tips/suggestions, and share some of your work with the group!