Wild Mustangs Photography Workshop
April 28 to 30, 2023
Join me for an opportunity to photograph wild mustangs in one of only four wild horse sanctuaries designated as a public off range pasture for the (BLM) Bureau of Land Management. Mowdy Ranch has dedicated 4000 acres of wooded hills and open valleys in southeastern Oklahoma as a wild horse sanctuary and currently houses nearly 400 wild horses on a long term basis. There are few things in this world as beautiful as the wild mustangs of North America. Tough, resilient and independent the mustangs that make their home at Mowdy Ranch are truly wild animals.
Lodging and meals are provided during this workshop. The lodge has a total of 6 guest rooms, each with its own private bathroom. Each of the Regular Suites will sleep up to 4 people on two queen beds. Our Family Suites are two rooms and can each sleep up to 6 people with two full beds in the main room and a queen bed in a small adjacent bedroom.
Photography Tours
Each of the tours will last approximately 3 hours giving up plenty of time to photograph the horses in their environment. The goal will be to get us to the horses and in a great position to capture magnificent images. We will stop and get out as appropriate to to photograph these magnificent animals.
We will be touring in an open air UTV which offers us a unique opportunity for a close up experience with the mustangs with very little walking. Each of our tours will last approximately 3 hours giving us plenty of time to photograph the horses in their environment.
The hills and sunsets of southeastern Oklahoma are famously beautiful and offer photographers of every level a rare opportunity to photograph wild mustangs (and quite often other wildlife) at ease on their range.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Mowdy Ranch Mustangs by 2:00 pm for introductions and a short class on photographing the wild mustangs. We will have an early dinner before our evening/sunset photo tour.
Day 2
We will start the day predawn and get to a location for a sunrise photo shoot followed by our second wild mustang photo tour. We will return for a brunch and time for a processing class using Adobe Lightroom Classic. There will be time for relaxing or just hanging out before our early dinner and our 3rd photo tour for sunset.
Day 3
Our 4th and final photo tour will be another early morning sunrise session, followed by a final wrap up and photo critique and lunch.
Workshop Policies and Information
About the Workshop
Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field” workshops one of the most effective teaching formats available. Whether finding the correct exposure, looking through the viewfinder for the perfect composition, or learning how to use the equipment, you can’t beat real world experience. Classes are kept small, it’s all about personal, individual attention.
Digital offers a number of benefits for learning photography including:
- Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
- Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
- Ability to do reviews and projection
- Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
- Ability to manage work flow while still on location
What to Bring
A digital SLR or Mirrorless camera is recommended along with an assortment of lenses. I suggest a telephoto zoom with 300-400 mm on the long end. A durable camera bag to carry only what you need in the open UTV bouncing through the pastures is strongly advised. A tripod for early and late low light photos while we are outside of the vehicles.
A laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic installed if you want to follow along the post processing class session.
I also advise dressing in layers, it may be quite cool in the morning and warm up quickly when the sun comes up, and always be prepared for rain. I would also suggest long pants and boots as we will be waling in tall grass and weeds with lots of sharp poky things.
Cost
Cost for the workshop will be $1195 per person and will include meals and lodging at the ranch in the bunkhouse. An upgrade to a private room is available for $200. The 4 photo tours to photograph the wild mustangs are also included in the fee.
Group Size
We keep our group size small, this provides for a high degree of personal attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the workshop the best possible experience for the participants.
This workshop is limited to a maximum of 6 participants.
Changes to the Itinerary
In order to offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances, closures, weather or other conditions beyond our control. We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise.
Transportation During Workshop
Transportation to the shoots and events during the workshop will be provided.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature.
Meals
Meals are included in the workshop and will be served at the ranch.
Lodging
Lodging at the ranch is included in the workshop fee based on double occupancy.
Health and Physical Considerations
All participants should be in generally good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops and you will be responsible for carrying of your own equipment on location shoots. If you are taking any medications be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the workshop.
If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop please contact me before registering.
Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy
You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email, postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question. Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space. A deposit of $300 is required to reserve your space, and full payment is due by April 1, 2023. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend. All workshop require a minimum number of participants or they will be canceled.
If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy: We do not make refunds on workshop fees. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason. In most cases we will apply fees to another workshop at our discretion.
Cancellation Policy
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid, in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 30 days prior to the beginning of a workshop other than an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely matter due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation.
All workshops have a minimum participation level which must be met or the workshop will be canceled.
Liability Waiver
All participants will be required to sigh a liability waiver before beginning a workshop. We will not be liable for injury, accident or theft resulting from participation in our workshop program.
Weather
The more the better, at least as far as the photography goes. Workshops will not be canceled and no refunds will be made due to weather, we will not be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the workshop prepared for all weather conditions. We will generally update everyone within a few days of the workshop so that they know what type of weather to expect.
Trip Extensions
We may be able to extend your trip in the area, if you would like more time and personal instruction. Please contact us for more information and rates before the workshop.
Smoking
We prefer that you do not smoke, however if you must please abide by the following guidelines. Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles, during instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times when in close quarters with other workshop participants.
Venue: Mowdy Ranch Mustangs
Venue Phone: 580-927-5093
Address:
Lodging in a Bunk Room is included in the workshop price, if you wish to have a private suite there will be a $100 per night additional fee.
Mowdy Ranch offers guests the opportunity to stay overnight in our guest lodge. The lodge has a total of 4 suites and 2 bunk rooms, each with its own full bathroom. Each suite sleeps up to four people and the bunk rooms each accommodate up to eight people.
The guest lodge includes a great room with fully equipped kitchen, spacious dining area and comfortable living area complete with DirecTv.
Other common areas include a pub style game room with pool table, darts and wet bar.
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