Why is this photography experience so magical?

Magic of Cowboys is so much more than just your standard photography workshop with horses, cattle and cowboys.  This is delightfully SO much more!  Numerous participants have come back annually -- a testament to how special and beloved this event has become.  Get your hats, boots, and camera gear ready because pard'ner, we're doing it again! 

Feeding the heart, soul and camera, the Magic of Cowboys will lift your spirits!  You'll have a buffet of photo opportunities that are creatively packed into three days of fun.  Marvel at the diversity of high quality, unique images you'll come away with and how much you'll learn along the way.  

Level 2-3:  Easy to Moderate

There is a good deal of walking  and standing involved on the ranch.  It is on flat terrain (no change in elevation), but one can be occasionally on uneven ground (e.g., ungraded arena, pasture land, with clumps of dirt, smaller rocks, etc.).

IMPORTANT TIP:   We provide shuttles and drivers to help transport anyone who needs it from place to place. 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).  A pre-workshop online course on using manual exposure settings is provided ($99 value) 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 an optional pre-workshop "Camera Clinic" at the ranch on Thursday, February 20, 2025 to help you refine those skills. 

An easy, 45-minute drive from the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport transports you to an entirely different place where time slows down, history is deep, and the traditional ways of cowboys and cowgirls are carried on.  Located against the stunning backdrop of the legendary Superstition Mountains on 5,800 acres of the pristine Sonoran Desert in Gold Canyon, Arizona, lies the very special Donnelly D-Spur Ranch. 

The “D-Spur” is a decades-old, privately owned, working ranch with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Valley of the Sun. Situated adjacent to the Tonto National Forest and legendary Superstition Mountains, It will be our jaw-dropping setting for your Magic of Cowboys Photo Experience!

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

• Action (~45%) You will learn how to best capture the action with fast-moving horses, cattle, and ranch-related activities with the cowboys and cowgirls.  Roping, herding, and more are planned! We will so teach you silhouette photography with the plentiful 2 and 4-legged creatures!
  
• Ranch Lifestyle:  (~15%) Capture the authentic lifestyles of our ranch hands!  They will go about their day working while also show you some of the things they do in their daily lives. We will have stations where you can photograph activities like leather tooling, cleaning tack, putting on horseshoes, driving a team, or other wonderful photographic moments that depict the Ranch Lifestyle in the American West today.
  
• Silhouettes (~15%): You will learn how to capture gorgeous silhouettes of the cowboys, cowgirls, horses, saguaro catci and more!  
  
• Slow-Shutter Panning (~5%): Capture cowboys and cowgirls in a unique way by learning the art of slow-shutter panning (sometimes called "Shutter Drag.)  These ethereal shots of the riders running with their horses while photographed on slow shutter speeds create a sense of movement along with an ethereal, breathtaking look and add dimension to your images of the American West.
  
• Portraiture Made Easy (candid and stylized) (~20%): A highlight of Magic of Cowboys is to help photographers who are new to (and even intimated by) portrait photography to have a relaxed, stress-free, fun, and “no-judgment” type experience. 
  
  Many photographers shy away from learning portraiture as it can be intimidating, stressful, and nerve-wracking!   We REMOVE that part and just give you a ton of fun in a friendly, supportive environment.  
  
  • How to use settings, natural and reflected light photograph both candid and stylized images of cowboys, cowgirls, and a re-enactment actors from the late 1800s in full authentic dress—back when Arizona was just a territory! 
  • Easy to remember posing tips for men, women, and groups
  • How to use natural light, a reflector, and other easy to learn techniques that make for beautiful portraiture
    

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

• Music:  Join us at the campfire for local legend and singer/songwriter, Steve Holmquist, for incredibly beautiful music during lunch on Sunday (Day 4).  Steve is also quite photogenic and is a wonderful photography subject before or after he performs.
  
• Award-winning, authentic "Chuckwagon" style lunch:  Our "chuckwagon" chef has won numerous awards and competitions for her chuckwagon style cooking over an open fire! Using hot coals, cast iron, and incredible recipes, she’ll prepare meals by campfire for us that are beyond amazing!  See how it was done 100+ years ago and taste the rich flavors that go along with the experience!   This makes for great photo opportunities as well!
  
• Custom Photography-focused Sunset Horseback Ride (optional):  Consider an optional, custom photography-focused guided horseback ride through the desert at sunset on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Whether you are a beginner or advanced rider, this ranch will take great care of you and show you places in the desert you can only get to on foot or horseback!  (Available Friday morning before the workshop begins)

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 the Wild West!

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.  

1. 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:

Deposit:  Due at registration (nonrefundable) $1000

2nd Installment:  Due October 1, 2024

3rd Installment:  Due December 1, 2024

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.