Magic of Cowboys - Montana 2025 - Week 2

Bridger, MT

LP
Langell Photography, LLC
  • Email address verified
105 reviews
Oct 1 - 5, 2025
Group size: 14 - 14
Magic of Cowboys - Montana 2025 - Week 2
Bridger, MT

Langell Photography, LLC
  • Email address verified
105 reviews

Oct 1 - 5, 2025
Group size: 14 - 14

About this trip

Discover a brand new all-inclusive workshop: Magic of Cowboys – Montana.
After eight unforgettable years of success in Gold Canyon, Arizona, Langell Photography is bringing its signature experience to the breathtaking landscapes of Red Lodge, Montana. With the Pryor Mountains as our backdrop and over two years in the making, Magic of Cowboys – Montana offers a bold, fresh chapter in our celebrated series—one that promises new sights, new stories, and the same exceptional quality you've come to expect.  All at a working ranch!

This is more than a photography workshop—it's a full-bodied, creatively curated adventure. Picture horses thundering across open ranges, cinematic cowboy action, dramatic stunt work, vintage wagons, weathered cattle, powerful portraits, candid moments, and even night photography under Montana skies.


What Makes It Magical?

Our participants return year after year because we go beyond the frame. With top-tier instruction, seamless organization, and a warm, personalized approach, we focus on what matters most: your photography, growth, creativity, and joy.  We prioritize what's in front of -- and behind--the lens! The 1:3 instructor ratio ensures individualized guidance, allowing you to capture not just photos—but unforgettable moments.


Come for the photography. Leave with new skills, new friends, and a renewed passion for storytelling through your lens.


Feed your mind. Fuel your soul. Fill your camera. Join us in Montana for a photography experience unlike any other.

Physical Fitness Level:

Level 3:  Moderate

Appropriate for those who are in good health.  Involves half to full day activities that may include light to moderate intensity walking or light hiking on mild terrain for periods of 5-30 minutes), or standing for 1+ hour at a time on location.  Elevations range from approximately 3500 feet (Bridger, MT) to 5000 feet  (Red Lodge, MT).  May involve off-road travel in SUVs or  multi-terrain vehicles for short distances. Involves varying weather conditions from about 35°F (1°C) 55°F (12°C) with sun, rain, snow (unlikely) or wind. At the ranch, maintained porta-potties are provided. Chairs are also available.  You must be able to carry your own camera equipment to/from each segment of the workshop.  You may leave the gear you do not need for each segment in a safe location at the ranch headquarters.

Prerequisite photography skills:

Solid knowledge of manual exposure settings (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO).  A pre-workshop online course on using manual exposure settings is provided at no additional cost. Details are in the linked document you download from your confirmation email you will receive immediately after registering.

We will also offer a pre-workshop "Camera Clinic" after dinner on the evening of your arrival.

Location

Arrival:  Billings, MT Airport


Lodging location (Transportation & Lodging provided):  Red Lodge, MT  (MAP)
(Approx. 1 hour drive from Billings, MT airport.  Ground transportation provided. Lodging included in workshop.)

Workshop location:  Within approximately 30 min radius of Red Lodge, MT. (Daily ground transportation provided).

What you'll learn:

*Percentages are estimates.  Agenda may vary based on weather or other factors.

  • Action (~40%) You will learn how to best capture the action with fast-moving horses, cattle, and ranch-related activities with the cowboys and cowgirls. 
  • Ranch Lifestyle & Stunt Work:  (~10%) Capture the authentic lifestyles of our ranch hands!  You'll also capture cinematic stunt work performed by our cowboys!
  • Silhouettes  and Low Key Lighting (~15%): Learn the art of low-key lighting!
  • Slow-Shutter Panning (~5%): Capture motion. Create Magic!   Learn the art of slow-shutter panning—also known as “shutter drag”—to photograph cowboys and cowgirls in motion. This technique turns fast-paced action into dreamlike images, blending motion and mood for a breathtaking take on the American West.
  • Portraits Made Easy—And Fun  (25%)
    Intimidated by portrait photography? You’re not alone—and that’s why Magic of Cowboys makes it approachable, relaxed, and fun. No pressure. No judgment. Just hands-on learning in a supportive environment.

    You’ll work with authentically dressed cowboys and cowgirls on a working ranch to capture  both candid and stylized portraits using natural light, reflected light, and simple flash setups.  Don't worry! We provide abundant instruction & support-- and all of the lighting gear to make your photos stand out above the rest!  

    Leave your nerves behind—discover how enjoyable portrait photography can truly be.
  • Night Photography; Additional Styles/Techniques (5%)  
    We will introduce you to night photography with cowboys and cowgirls under the stars!  Capture the milky way and/or starlit skies with our mentoring to make these celestial images come to life!

What else?

 The Magic of Cowboys & Cattle is truly different from your typical photo tour or workshop.  It's an immersive experience!

  • Chuckwagon Brunches and Dinners, Cowboy Style:
    Savor award-winning, campfire-cooked meals by beloved chuckwagon chef Barb Kennedy—well-recognized for her legendary and mouthwatering meals at Magic of Cowboys and Magic of Alaska, She will prepare over hot coals in cast iron, her authentic recipes that bring 1800s cowboy cooking to life. It’s a feast for your taste buds—and your camera!  (Great photo ops!)
  • Pre-Workshop Webinar for participants:  Once registered, we will invite participants to a pre-workshop webinar that will provide additional details, answer questions, cover photography skills needed, specify logistics, and allow you to meet your fellow workshop participants!  
  • Post-Workshop instructional webinar:  A follow-up webinar and/or online discussion will be held, allowing you to showcase your work, receive post-processing tips, and further solidify the knowledge you learned during the workshop!

The entire experience is designed to bring out the best in your photography while immersing you in the rich culture of the cowboy and ranch life - right in the heart of Big Sky country!

Cancellation, transfer and refund policy

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, medical evacuation, etc.) that requires you to cancel your reservation or end your tour early.  

Payments due are scheduled approximately as follows, based on the start date of your event.  Once paid, they become non-refundable:

Deposit:  Due at registration $1000

2nd Installment:  July 1, 2025

3rd Installment:  August 1, 2025

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 ($250 fee).  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 website.  

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.


What’s included

  • Meals
    Continental Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D) as follows: Day 1: (D). Day 2: (B, L, D). Day 3: (B, L, D). Day 4: (B, L, D). Day 5: (B). Snacks and beverages also supplied at workshop.
  • Lodging (4 nights)
    Lodging for four nights is included. Participants will share a beautiful rental home with fellow attendees, each enjoying a private bedroom and bathroom.
  • Instruction
    We provide multiple instructors to ensure you have abundant help with questions and more.
  • Ground Transportation
    Your registration price includes ground transportation and transfers to/from the Billings, MT Logan Airport to Red Lodge, MT, to your lodging, and daily trips to the workshop location.
  • Lighting
    Anytime additional lighting (i.e., reflectors, flash, constant lights, etc.) are needed, the gear is provided to you to use during the workshop. (Instruction provided.)
  • Pre-workshop webinar
    A group webinar on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 7pm EDT / 6pm CDT / 5pm MDT / 4pm PDT will be held. (Recording available.)
  • Pre-workshop tutorial
    An on-demand course on using Manual Exposure settings is provided. and may be accessed at your leisure.
  • Post-workshop webinar
    A follow-up webinar on Tues., Oct 28, 2025 at 7pm EDT / 6pm CDT / 5pm MDT / 4pm PDT to share images, receive post-processing tips from Lisa Langell, and more.

What’s not included

  • Highly specialized diet
    We can accommodate most common allergies and dietary needs. For specialized or extensive requirements, you may need to supplement your meals. A grocery store is nearby. We're happy to take you there.
  • Gratuities
    Gratuities (tips) for the ranch staff and your workshop team are not included.
  • Photo Gear & Accessories
    Please bring camera bod(ies), tripod, remote trigger, a wide, mid-range, and long-range zoom lens, batteries, memory cards, and related gear for backing up images. Details provided after registration

Available Packages

Private Room (Single Occupancy)
Deposit: $1,000
Sold Out

You’ll have your own bedroom and bathroom in a 2, 3, or 4-bedroom home. Each home has a full kitchen, a shared living room area, and plenty of space to stretch out and relax.

$4,495
Deposit: $1,000

Itinerary

Pre-workshop Webinar
Mon, July 28, 2025 7pm ET

We will host a registrants-only live webinar to help wet  your whistle for this wonderful 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 Montana!  Session is recorded for those who cannot attend live.

Your Organizer


LP
Langell Photography, LLC
105 reviews
A nature photographer and birder from the age of eight, Lisa is the founder of Langell Photography, LLC. She began her own business in 2010 after long vibrant careers as a floral designer, educational psychologist, consultant and in helping launch and manage two startups that grew into leading companies in the Ed-Tech space. Since then, she has earned numerous awards, is an Image Master for Tamron Americas and has been published in Outdoor Photographer, Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick and more.

Reviews

MP
Good trip. Stayed at one lodge so moving around Fabulous food and nice accommodations right on the water. Variety of shooting venues, land, ocean and river. Lisa and Dan always there to help us
By Michael P for Magic of Alaska: June 15-20, 2025 on Jun 29, 2025
Magic of Alaska was so much more than a photography experience—it was an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime. Lisa Langell orchestrates every detail with thoughtfulness and care, from pre-trip preparation to the moment you return home. Her passion and dedication create one extraordinary photography opportunity after another, each one filled with awe, joy, and meaning. But what truly made this experience magical was the people—the fellow photographers who became fast friends, the knowledgeable and kind boat captains, and the incredible helicopter and bush plane pilots who safely delivered us to some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth. The food was delicious, the laughter was constant, and the belly laughs around the table will be memories I cherish forever. We witnessed jaw-dropping wildlife moments and stood in awe of Alaska’s wild, untamed beauty. I am deeply grateful—for the connections, the sights, the sounds, and the stillness. These moments are etched in my soul and will stay with me always.
By Jenny C for Magic of Alaska: June 15-20, 2025 on Jun 26, 2025
WOW...there are no words to fully describe the experience Lisa Langell coordinated for our Magic of Alaska photo trip! Lisa KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK with ALL her workshops but this one...was beyond even that! If they gave out Michelin stars for photography trips, Lisa and her team would have several of them. Helicopters to glacier for dog sledding AND photography, float planes to photograph bears, multiple boating adventures for whales (including ORCA), otters, sea lions, puffins, land/water scapes and road trips for moose hunting, and much much more...all that in 6 days and over 10,000 images! Oh, and managing to give us one last experience as she pulled the van over on the way to the airport so we could photograph 5 CARIBOU along the road! That's just the highlights of the photography portion - the food portion deserved another Michelin star for the incredible breakfasts and lunches to go and the exceptional meals that we had each night. Her workshops sell out within minutes of registration being open - and this is why. No need to look any further than Lisa (and her team and local guides) for your Alaska photographic adventure.
By Cindy C for Magic of Alaska: June 15-20, 2025 on Jun 22, 2025
What a fabulous experience! Lisa organized an amazing photographic adventure for us. I highly recommend this trip!
By Betty H for Magic of Alaska: June 1 - 6, 2025 on Jun 15, 2025
This was the trip of a lifetime and such a great adventure! The wildlife in Alaska was amazing...moose, bears, eagles, puffins, whales, otters, and too many more to list. We had different shooting opportunities everyday, accessed by boats, the van, a bush plane, and even a helicopter. Lisa kept all of the details running smoothly, tailoring the activities to the group's needs and wishes. She is a natural teacher. Lisa and Dan were right there when a question arose or to help us check our settings, and were quick to suggest shooting techniques that had us expand our usual shooting style, such as ICM and High Key Photography. The size of the group enabled us to get to know each other as we shared meals, rides, and shooting experiences. The lodging was comfortable, and thanks to Barb, the meals creative and delicious. I had been wanting to make this trip for a long time; I'm so glad that I did, it is a memory that I will cherish. Many thanks to Lisa, Dan, Mason, and Barb!
By Barbara D for Magic of Alaska: June 1 - 6, 2025 on Jun 10, 2025
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