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.

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.

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.

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).

*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!
  

 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 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.

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.

Arrive at the Billings Logan Airport in Billings, Montana, and have your bags ready by 4:00 pm Mountain Time, when the shuttle leaves for your lodging accommodations. The trip is about one hour in length.

Kick off your cowboy photography adventure with a warm, relaxed evening in the heart of Red Lodge. We’ll gather for a delicious but casual, relaxed group dinner where you can unwind, meet your fellow photographers, and soak in the Western charm of our surroundings.

As the plates clear, we’ll ease into our “Camera Clinic”—a friendly, no-pressure session to brush up on settings, ask questions, and get dialed in for the days ahead. Whether you’re here to fine-tune or just get comfortable, this is your chance to start the workshop with confidence, connection, and full bellies.

Start your day with an early-morning continental breakfast, then head out as the first light breaks over the Montana landscape. We’ll begin with breathtaking sunrise silhouettes, followed by high-energy cowboy action at a private ranch—horses, hats, and heart-pounding Western scenes await your lens. 

Just as your early breakfast fades, it’s time to gather 'round for a hearty, mouthwatering brunch cooked up by our award-winning chuckwagon chef, Barb Kennedy!

Barb brings the Old West to life as she prepares your meal the authentic chuckwagon way—over open coals and in cast iron. It’s not just delicious—it’s a visual feast, with endless photo ops you won’t want to miss!

Step into the art of cowboy and cowgirl portraiture with a focus on light, expression, and authentic storytelling. We’ll guide you through techniques using natural, reflected, and enhanced light—building a strong foundation for capturing striking, character-rich portraits.

Don't worry--if you're feeling a little 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 -- making it a wonderful and emotionally safe experience for even the most novice of portrait-takers!

We know photographers prefer a good meal before the light fades—so you’ll enjoy a hearty, chuckwagon-style dinner in the late afternoon. Cooked with care and packed with flavor, it’s the perfect way to refuel before heading into your last photo shoot of the day. 

Get ready for a late afternoon/early evening of dynamic cowboy action! From thundering hooves to classic Western skills, we’ll dive into high-energy scenes that bring the spirit of the American West to life—whatever unfolds, your camera will be busy. 

Once the light fades, we will transport you back to your rooms in Red Lodge. 

It's been a full day!!!  We will transport you back to Red Lodge to rest, download images, get a good night's sleep, and prepare for Day 3!  

Fuel up with a light continental  breakfast, then it’s off to the ranch for golden-hour magic. Capture dramatic silhouettes against the rising sun before diving into fast-paced cowboy and cowgirl action as the morning unfolds in a sea of motion, dust, and light.

Barb creates yet another magical meal, fireside!  Relax, rest, and fuel up with a country-style breakfast that satisfies!!  

After an exhilarating morning, it’s time to head back to your rooms for some well-earned downtime. This 3-hour break is yours to relax, refresh, or even sneak in a quick nap—because later tonight, we’ll venture back out for a sunset shoot, followed by time spent photographing horses and cowboys or cowgirls in the dark and under the stars!  We have several "dark" stations set for a special evening of low-key and night sky photography that you won’t want to miss. Rest up… the magic continues  into the darkness!

As the sun dips behind the mountains, we’ll shift into one of the most visually stunning sessions of the workshop. First, capture the golden glow of cowboy life at sunset—dust, and dramatic light included. Then, as twilight deepens into night, we’ll explore creative low-light techniques under the stars. With cowboys posed against wide-open skies and the Milky Way overhead, you’ll create images that feel timeless, cinematic, and truly unforgettable.

After a stunning evening, we will return to our rooms to rest up for the next day's activities!

After a continental breakfast, we will travel a short distance to a private property near Red Lodge.  Here is where you'll start your morning with photo opportunities that include cowboys taking a stunning ride through a shallow river lined with golden aspens—a perfect setting to capture the essence of the West in full fall color. Cowboys, cowgirls, and horses will guide the way as you photograph authentic moments bathed in morning light on and near the river. Later, we’ll head transition to an artistic portrait session. You’ll explore creative techniques using both natural and enhanced lighting to craft timeless images rich in texture, character, and Western soul. 

After a morning of riverfront photography in Red Lodge, we’ll journey back to our original ranch in Bridger for a mouthwatering chuckwagon brunch. Chef Barb Kennedy—our award-winning culinary trailblazer—will welcome you with the rich aroma of Dutch oven cooking and hearty Western fare, all prepared over hot coals. It’s more than a meal—it’s a delicious return to where the story began, served with rustic charm and picture-perfect moments.

 In this immersive hands-on session, you’ll rotate through multiple portrait stations—each designed to teach a different lighting style and creative approach. From natural to dramatic, low-key to low-light, you’ll explore how to shape mood and story using simple techniques that make a big impact. Working with authentic cowboys, cowgirls, and their horses, you’ll capture powerful portraits that blend character, light, and the timeless spirit of the West. 

As the light softens and the energy rises, this late-afternoon session delivers pure Western action. From stunt sequences and cattle runs to cowboys, cowgirls, and thundering hooves, you’ll capture the motion and intensity of the ranch in full swing. We’ll also introduce slow-shutter panning techniques—adding an artistic, ethereal edge to your action shots and opening new creative doors in your photography.

As twilight settles over the landscape, we’ll transport you back to the rugged days of the late 1800s. In this cinematic final shoot, Conestoga wagons roll across the open terrain—until bandits strike. You’ll photograph the action as a dramatic re-enactment unfolds: a hold-up, fiery chaos, and a fast getaway under the fading sky. With dust, firelight, and Western grit, this unforgettable session is the grand finale to your Magic of Cowboys adventure. Weather permitting. 

After the photo shoot we will return to Red Lodge for the evening.

After an unforgettable journey through the heart of cowboy country, it’s time to head back to Billings with full memory cards and even fuller hearts. We’ll pick you up from your lodging in Red Lodge and provide transportation back to the city in time for flights departing after 12:00 PM. As we make our way through the Montana landscape one last time, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the images you captured, the stories you lived, and the friendships forged along the trail. Until next time, happy trails and heartfelt thanks for being part of the Magic of Cowboys experience! 

Tuesday, October 28, 2025:  7pm ET | 6pm CT  | 5pm MT  |  4pm PT
Join us for a live, interactive webinar designed exclusively for Magic of Cowboys–Montana participants! This session is your chance to revisit the experience, ask follow-up questions, and dive deeper into post-processing techniques tailored to the types of images you captured during the workshop. You’re welcome to submit your own photos for editing tips, creative feedback, and sharing with the group. Whether you're polishing your favorite shots or just want a fresh perspective, this is the perfect way to wrap up your cowboy photography adventure!