Experience Level
Beginner - Advanced
Both beginners & experienced photographers will benefit from this workshop. I will work closely with you to address strengths and weaknesses. All can expect to be challenged.
Endurance
Easy - Moderate
All age and physical ability levels are welcome on this photography workshop. Some walking is involved, but nothing too strenuous. Most of the sessions will happen within about 500ft from the main area.
Group Size
25
I normally hold 3 day western workshops with a max of 10 people. They are around $1500. This class is my attempt to get people out shooting at the ranch for less! We have plenty of time and space to make this a great experience even with the bigger group.
A Day at the Ranch - Western Photography
Workshop!
$525 total
May 3, 2025
This sold out FAST last year
Join me on this 1-day photography workshop at a stunning CO mountain ranch! Capture real cowboys and running horses, with gorgeous peaks as a backdrop! Located in south-central Colorado, near Westcliffe, the Wet Mountain Valley is one of the state's most beautiful and unspoiled areas.
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We spend the first 3 hours of this workshop at the ranch in "class" (without riders) working on camera settings, ideas and general info on how to create better images. Dan will go around and work with everyone one-on-one to make sure your camera is setup perfectly for the evening shoot, and to make sure you know how to get your camera setup correctly on your own in the future.
About 2.5 hours before the sunset when the light starts to get nice, the real fun begins. We will start shooting our riders (cowboys and cowgirls) getting saddled up, posing in the barn and after, running towards us and on the hills in front of the awesome peaks behind the ranch!
COME HOME WITH SPECTACULAR WORKS OF ART
Colorado Horse Photography Workshop
MASTERING MOVEMENT
In this photography workshop, Dan will share methods for capturing the rapid movement of running horses, while focusing on the composition of the cowboys and landscape. This will include composing on the move, setting up your camera, lighting conditions, safety, how to approach ranchers for permission to shoot on their land and editing western images. He will always be with the group providing thoughts, advice and real time critique as the light changes.
Majestic Mountain Backdrop Included
Rarely do you find the opportunity to shoot real cowboys with the perfect mountain backdrop!
Years of Experience with Sony, Nikon, and Canon Gear
Photography Workshop Schedule
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2pm to 5pm
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Both group and hands on instruction. We will be outside at the ranch around the barn and corrals. Dan will give several talks and assignments on shooting western photos and photography in general, mixed with the group having time to wonder around and shoot while practicing what you have learned.
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5pm to 5:30pm
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Time off for for food. We are keeping this very simple and asking everyone to bring a sack lunch. We will have water and snacks available as well.
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5:30pm to 8pm(ish)
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Shooting horses and riders through sunset! This will be the highlight of the day, where our cowboys and cowgirls will "work" the horses, run towards us and walk along the hills in front of the mountains. We will finish at sunset after the light fades.
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Planning Your Trip: Hotel & Transportation
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Please note that transportation and accommodations are NOT included and is up to each individual participant.
Hotel: If you choose to stay the night we have a block of rooms booked at the Lamp Post Lodge and Dark Sky Suits in the nearby town of Westcliffe (about 20 minutes from the ranch). We have 18 rooms total and they will be given out first come first serve.
If those have all been taken there are several other hotel options in town and an RV park. There are also lots of options in the very cool town of Salida about an hour away.
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Flights: The Colorado Springs airport is the closest and is about a 2 hour drive from Westcliffe. You can also fly into the Denver airport which is a 2.5 hour drive.
Authentic Ranch Experience
The Ranch is located in Westcliffe, Colorado at the base of the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. Dan works directly with the owner and ranch hands to coordinate photoshoots during the best light. Thanks to years of experience directing horses and setting up scenes, Dan is able to lead the group in capturing incredible moments with ease. These scenes are typically challenging to create on your own, due to the nature of western photography.
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As a family-owned and operated working cattle ranch, the property sits on 4,000-acres of conservation easement through the San Isabel Land Protection Trust. It has been family owned and operated since Bill Parker purchased it in 1968, and it is their intention to keep it as a working cattle ranch in perpetuity. It was recognized early on the importance of stewarding the grass and the ranch continues to follow these guidelines today.
"Dan’s workshop was the best I have ever taken! It answered all my questions and then some. I so appreciated his patience with me and learning how to use my camera settings properly. I think I finally got it. It was so helpful having the cameras set for shooting the next day. Most of all, Dan was so patient, kind and giving with the whole group. We were all cohesive and had a really fun time with each other."
"I enjoyed [the workshop] a great deal and learned a lot. I feel that I improved both my photography skills and my editing skills. The post-processing techniques that you showed us in Lightroom for the intimate landscapes we were shooting were a real “game changer” for me and I’m looking forward to trying them on my photos. I love it when I come away from a workshop so excited about photography and trying new things!"