⚠️Attention: Registration opens May 17 at 7:00 PM Eastern. Until then, the workshop will appear as “Not Available.”

Magic of Cowboys – Mescal, Arizona

The Magic of Cowboys – Mescal, AZ photography workshop has everything you love about our classic cowboy events—but this one comes with an entirely different script.

Learn more about this workshop by attending Lisa’s Magic of Cowboys webinar on May 13. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_60weo1MjRwGIxaVTmQFnCg

As photographers, we capture stories… and this time, we’re shooting in a place that was built for storytelling.

Welcome to the legendary Mescal Movie Set—the filming location for over 100 movies and TV shows, including the famous O.K. Corral set from Tombstone. This is where icons like Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Steve McQueen have stood—and now, you will too.

With over 70 years of "westerns" filmed at the Mescal Movie Set, you won’t just be photographing the Old West—you’ll be stepping into it! You’ll be creating images in the very same streets and wide open desert lands where generations of legendary filmmakers and cinematographers have aimed their lenses, capturing the grit, drama, and spirit of the Wild West.

Just a sample of of the unforgettable scenes you'll be able to capture from the late 1800's include:

• A herd of horses thundering across open land at magic hour

• Cowboys on horseback with wide desert and mountain backdrops

• Silhouettes, dust, drama, and cinematic light

• Period-style moments in legendary sets like the Oriental Saloon

• Horses, wagons, and western action on the dusty streets of the town!

• Action at the site of the OK Corral featured in the movie, Tombstone!
  
  

And here’s the best part:
No photography workshop has ever been hosted here Langell Photography showed up in town! We're the first!

Over four incredible days, you’ll experience a buffet of action-packed shooting opportunities—plus deep practical instruction in natural light, off-camera flash, action and portrait storytelling to help you create bold, unforgettable images.

This isn’t just a workshop. It’s the Wild West—brought to life through your lens.

Join us for an epic adventure at the Magic of Cowboys--Mescal!

Level 2-3:  Easy to Moderate

There is a good deal of walking  and standing involved on the set and in the Arizona desert where our shooting locations exist.  It is on flat terrain (no significant change in elevation), but one can be occasionally on uneven ground (e.g., ungraded arena, pasture land, with clumps of dirt, smaller rocks, minor inclines/declines, etc.).

Americans With Disabilities (ADA): The restrooms are ADA Accessible. The multiple buildings and shooting areas are mostly ADA Accessible. The desert is relatively flat with slight inclines. There may be rocks, cacti and other obstacles. If you have questions, please contact us directly at info@langellphotography.com

IMPORTANT TIP:   We provide shuttles and drivers to help transport anyone who needs it from place to place on the movie set. We also have folding stools at the photography locations if you need to sit and rest.

• Solid knowledge of manual exposure settings (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO) is helpful.

• DSLR or Mirrorless cameras work best with our off-camera flash setup.

• We will also offer a "Camera Skills Clinic" at the movie set after check-in on Day 1 so that everyone is set up for success.

• Gear: We recommend bringing lens(es) that can cover the focal range between 24mm and 400mm (minimally)

  • A long telephoto zoom lens (e.g., 150-500mm, 100-400mm or similar)

  • A mid-length telephoto zoom (e.g., 35-150mm 70-200mm or similar)

  • A wide angle lens (e.g., 24-70mm, 24-105mm, or similar)

• Additional photography gear:

  • Tripod or monopod (especially for indoor lighting scenes)

  • Ample camera batteries & memory cards to cover 2000-6000 photos per day, average.

• Gear we provide:

  • Off camera flash

  • Flash triggers

Workshop location:

Mescal Movie Set: 1538 N Mescal Rd, Benson, AZ 85602

The workshop takes place at the legendary Mescal Movie Set, located just east of Tucson in Benson, Arizona.

Benson is an easy drive from both major airports in the region. It’s approximately 45 minutes from Tucson International Airport and about 2 to 2.5 hours from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, making travel straightforward whether you’re flying in locally or from out of state.

What makes this location truly special is its history.

The Mescal Movie Set has been used in over 100 films and television productions, including well-known Westerns like Tombstone, The Quick and the Dead, and The Outlaw Josey Wales.  

Some of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors have worked on these streets, including Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Sharon Stone, and Val Kilmer.  

This isn’t a themed attraction or a recreated environment. It’s a working film location with decades of real cinematic history behind it, set against the natural desert landscape of southern Arizona.

Lodging locations:

Lodging is included. All participants will stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites, Benson, AZ (a 15-minute drive to/from the Mescal Movie Set)

Capture the adrenaline of the West through dynamic action shots, then slow things down for dramatic, flash-lit portraits.

One of the things that makes Magic of Cowboys so special is the variety—we capture both fast-paced Western action and striking cowboy portraits. If portrait photography has ever felt intimidating, you’re not alone.

We will start out by providing outstanding action-photography instruction both before and during the workshop! We want you capturing those amazing cinematic scenes of horses, wagons, cowboys and more with finesse and confidence!

Additionally this year, we’re adding a deeper (and more fun) educational focus to help you truly understand what makes portraits work—from camera settings and light direction to simple posing and working with off-camera flash. We keep it relaxed, encouraging, and largely hands-on… so you’re learning while you’re shooting, not sitting through lots of lengthy lectures.

We're creating Magic on the Mescal Set and beyond... You’ll walk away with incredible images and the confidence to create them again on your own!

Cancellation Policy, Terms & Conditions and FAQs:  

Please review our terms and conditions.  These will be provided to you again at the end of your completed registration to initial and sign.  

• Should I get travel insurance?  Strongly recommended. Travel insurance helps protect your investment should something arise (e.g., change of plans, health issues, etc.) that requires you to cancel your reservation or end your tour early.  

  
  

  Your initial deposit is non-refundable.  No exceptions or credits provided. Payments due are scheduled approximately as follows, based on the start date of your event.  Once paid, they become non-refundable; however, if we can resell your seat for the full amount, we are happy to refund your payment(s) minus a fee (see below):

  
  

• Deposit:  Due at registration $1000

  2nd Installment:  Due July 15, 2026

  3rd Installment:  Due September 15, 2026

  
  

What if I need to cancel?   You have several options: 

• Option 1:   You may submit your claim to travel insurance.

• Option 2:  You have self-insured your trip and will absorb any losses from cancellation.

• Option 3:  You may transfer your seat to a qualified* friend for a fee ($250).  The friend is responsible for any remaining balance. 

• Option 4:  You may request that we attempt to resell your seat for up to full price wherever possible.  To do so, there is a fee of $350.  We cannot guarantee it will be resold, but we will market it to our waitlist for this tour if there is reasonable time before the start date to do so.  
  
  *Qualified friend is someone who meets the criteria for the tour, has agreed to all terms & conditions, and agrees to pay for any balance due and/or future costs that arise.   

    
  

• Detailed cancellation information is available on our cancellation request form.  

  
  

What if I pay in full up front?  If you choose to pay for the entire event up front in one lump sum, should you need to cancel, your refund will be pro-rated according to the due dates for each installment, compared to your cancelation date.  (For example, if you canceled after the 2nd  installment was due—but prior to the final installment due date, the amount equal to the portion calculated for the final installment will be refunded to you.)

May I receive a credit toward a future event?  Unfortunately, credit is not possible. No refunds, credit, certificates, etc. will be issued for cancelations given that a large percentage of your payments are directed toward non-refundable fees we pay vendors, staff, lodging, catering and more well in advance in order to secure your spot.

We will host a registrants-only live webinar to help you saddle up for this exciting event!  We'll answer questions, give you tastes of what to expect, and give you a moment to meet some of the leaders and participants who you will see in-person in October!  Session is recorded for those who cannot attend live.

Day 1 begins with a 12:30 PM arrival and check-in at the Mescal Movie Set, followed by a custom historical tour where you will stand exactly in the place where legendary actors stood to create some of the most well-known westerns ever made.

Afterward, we will have introductions followed by a brief "camera settings clinic" to make sure everyone is dialed in and ready to shoot.

Next, we will head out into the desert for our first photography session—capturing authentic cowboy action on horseback in the golden magic-hour light as the sun drops toward the horizon, plus silhouettes after sunset!

After the shoot, we’ll return to the set for a delicious meal at 6:30pm before heading back to the hotel to rest up for the next day’s adventure.

Early Morning:
Start your day with breakfast on-site at the Mescal Movie Set, then head straight into sunrise shooting. We’ll capture dramatic action, silhouettes, and golden magic-hour light—complete with a horse-drawn wagon rolling through the desert and grasslands for truly epic images.

Mid-Morning Break:
Step off the set and into the saloon for refreshments, a quick recharge, and time to transition your gear for our classroom session.

Mid-Morning Education Session:
Our portrait training begins! You’ll learn the how and why behind creating striking cowboy and cowgirl portraits using natural light, reflected light, and off-camera flash. This upgraded instruction will give you the confidence and tools to create exactly the images you envision.

Lunch:
Enjoy a delicious, fully catered hot lunch.

Afternoon:
Put what you’ve learned into action as you photograph authentic working cowboys in cinematic, story-rich scenes. With nearly 28 iconic buildings—barns, saloons, streets, and more—Mescal becomes your ultimate Old West backdrop.

Afternoon Break:
Take another refreshment break and transition your gear back to action photography.

Late Afternoon Through Sunset:
Get ready for dust, drama, and high-energy action as the cowboys ride hard in the best light of the day. We’ll shoot through golden hour into sunset for unforgettable Western images.

Dinner:
Wrap up the day with a hot, satisfying meal on-site with your fellow participants and instructors. Relax, share stories, and head back to your hotel to recharge—because tomorrow, we do it all again.

Early Morning:
The pattern is similar to Day 1. You will start your day with breakfast on-site at the Mescal Movie Set, then head straight into sunrise shooting. We’ll capture dramatic action, silhouettes, and golden magic-hour light—complete with a horse-drawn wagon rolling through the desert and grasslands for truly epic images.

Mid-Morning Break:
Step off the set and into the saloon for refreshments, a quick recharge, and time to transition your gear for our classroom session.

Mid-Morning Education Session:
Our portrait training begins! You’ll learn the how and why behind creating striking cowboy and cowgirl portraits using natural light, reflected light, and off-camera flash. This upgraded instruction will give you the confidence and tools to create exactly the images you envision.

Lunch:
Enjoy a delicious, fully catered hot lunch.

Afternoon:
Put what you’ve learned into action as you photograph authentic working cowboys in cinematic, story-rich scenes. With nearly 28 iconic buildings—barns, saloons, streets, and more—Mescal becomes your ultimate Old West backdrop.

Afternoon Break:
Take another refreshment break and transition your gear back to action photography.

Late Afternoon Through Sunset:
Get ready for dust, drama, and high-energy action as the cowboys ride hard in the best light of the day. We’ll shoot through golden hour into sunset for unforgettable Western images.

Dinner:
Wrap up the day with a hot, satisfying meal on-site with your fellow participants and instructors. Relax, share stories, and head back to your hotel to recharge—because tomorrow, we do it all again.

Early Morning:
It's our last photography day! You'll start your day with breakfast on-site at the Mescal Movie Set, then head straight into sunrise shooting. We’ll capture dramatic action, silhouettes, and golden magic-hour light—complete with a horse-drawn wagon rolling through the desert and grasslands for truly epic images.

Mid-Morning Break:
Step off the set and into the saloon for refreshments, a quick recharge, and time to transition your gear for our classroom session.

Mid-Morning Education Session:
Our portrait training expands to include multi-lighting setups and 2+ character scenes! You'll learn how to use natural and off-camera lighting to create dramatic, evocative and cinematic images to photograph!

Lunch:
Enjoy a delicious, fully catered hot lunch.

Afternoon:
Put what you’ve learned into action as you photograph authentic working cowboys in cinematic, story-rich scenes. With nearly 28 iconic buildings—barns, saloons, streets, and more—Mescal becomes your ultimate Old West backdrop.

Afternoon Break:
Take another refreshment break and transition your gear back to action photography.

Late Afternoon Through Sunset:
Get ready for dust, drama, and high-energy action as the cowboys ride hard in the best light of the day. We’ll shoot through golden hour into sunset for unforgettable Western images.

Dinner:
Wrap up the day with a hot, satisfying meal on-site with your fellow participants and instructors. Relax, share stories, and head back to your hotel to recharge—because tomorrow, we do it all again.

After three full days of photography, we’re providing a full day for travel home, or to your next destination. A complimentary continental breakfast is available at the hotel that morning. You may even find that you want to stay right in Arizona!

There are a number of amazing things to see, experience, and photograph within a 1-hour drive of your hotel. A full list of photographic opportunities is provided with your registration packet if you wish to extend your stay.

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!