Event Phone: 479-414-6889

Photography Boot Camp

October 20 to 24, 2024

This will be a five day long intense photography learning opportunity, including classroom work, photo shoots, and post processing with Adobe Lightroom.  This will be a very small group and a great way for obtaining one on one photography education, while having a good time and making new friends.

I have had many participants go from beginner to confident photographer during this workshop, becoming comfortable with setting their camera to achieve the results wanted.  This workshop is all about learning at your level.

I will host this at my cabin near Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita National Forest, where participants will stay for the workshop. This will be a great learning experience where we can talk photography while cooking steaks on the grill or kicking back on the porch.

The schedule for this event will be very dependent upon the interests of the participants.  During the week though we will plan to photograph locations such as Little Missouri Falls and Cossatot River Falls, star trails and the night sky, Hot Springs National Park, Talimena Scenic Drive, and other locations.

This is a great chance to learn Adobe Lightroom Classic if you are a beginner, or really learn the full power if you are already an experienced user. You will actually go through the entire process and develop a digital workflow on your computer with your images.  We will learn to organize our entire photo library using the powerful database tools of Lightroom from import all the way through to delivering finished photos.  We will learn to use the develop module to process our images to achieve the best image possible.

With weather cooperating we will have several night photo shoots making use of the techniques we will learn in classroom instruction, followed up with post processing including how to stack star-trails.

Kayak Photography

An option available during the workshop will be the opportunity to photograph from a kayak, which is a great way to be able to get close to birds and other wildlife.

Don’t worry if you have never kayaked before, no kayaking experience is needed. I will provide all the equipment including paddles, life jackets, safety gear, and waterproof equipment cases for your camera.  Our goal is photography, we will take it slow and easy.

I have 3 Jackson Yupik and 2 Jackson Bite kayaks that we will use during the workshop.  Jackson Kayaks are known for having some of the most comfortable seats and are Made in America, built in Sparta Tennessee.

Named for the native Alaskan peoples that coined the word “kayak” (qayaq), the Jackson YuPIK changes the very definition of versatility. The clean, open deck, infinite outfitting, rigging options and storage areas make it the most versatile kayak on the market.  Designed with an open, stable deck, the YuPik is as stand-able and roomy as any other boat in the Jackson line up.

Excellent tracking and stability make it a great boat for small lakes, ponds, large lakes, and saltwater inshore paddling. Huge storage and tie down areas make the YuPIK ideally suited for long paddles, as well as overnight and multi day camping trips.

Lake Ouachita

Lake Ouachita – Arkansas’s Largest Lake. With very little shoreline development. A Pristine Public Corps of Engineers Lake with 66,324 total acres of Land and Water surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest of more than 1.8 million acres. With over 40,000 acres of water, Lake Ouachita averages 50 feet deep. The deepest area touching 200 feet.

Yet Lake Ouachita is only 13 miles from the Spa City of Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas on the East End and on the door steps of the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, Mount Ida, Arkansas, on the West End.

Ouachita National Forest

The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The forest encompasses 1,784,457 acres, including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountain Range. Six locations in the forest, comprising 65,000 acres, have been congressionally-designated as wilderness areas.

Ouachita is the French spelling of the Indian word ‘Washita’, which means “good hunting grounds.” The forest was known as Arkansas National Forest on its establishment on December 18, 1907; the name was changed to Ouachita National Forest on April 29, 1926

The Talimena Scenic Drive, which is Highway 1 in Oklahoma and Highway 88 in Arkansas, is a National Scenic Byway which meanders through the forest providing amazing vistas and excellent photo opportunities. The Scenic Drive passes through old-growth oak woodlands on Winding Stair and Rich Mountains.

Canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the Mountain Fork River, Caddo River, Little Missouri River, and Ouachita River within the bounds of the forest. The Cossatot River, said to be the most difficult whitewater river between the Smoky and Rocky Mountains, also passes through the forest. Rockhounds frequent a geologic belt several miles wide containing high concentrations of very pure quartz crystals.

Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832 to be preserved for future recreation. Established before the concept of a national park existed, it was the first time that land had been set aside by the federal government to preserve its use as an area for recreation. The hot spring water has been popularly believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, and was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. Following federal protection in 1832, the city developed into a successful spa town.

Incorporated January 10, 1851, the city was known in the early 20th century as the home to Major League Baseball spring training, illegal gambling, speakeasies during the Prohibition era, and gangsters such as Al Capone, horse racing at Oaklawn Park, the Army and Navy Hospital, and 42nd President Bill Clinton. The area was established as a national park on March 4, 1921.  Since Hot Springs National Park is the oldest park maintained by the National Park Service, it was the first to receive its own US quarter in April 2010 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters coin series.

 

 

 

This will be limited to 2 or 3 people.  Cost will be $1595 each.  A $500 deposit is required to confirm your place.

Lodging and most meals will be included, though you will have to help cook and do dishes (this is boot camp).

 

 

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:

1. Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
2. Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
3. Ability to do reviews and projection
4. Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
5. Ability to manage work flow while still on location

Cost

The full cost of the workshop is $1995 per participant and includes lodging at my cabin and most meals.

The full cost for a couple will be $3490 a savings of $500 (will share a room and a queen size bed)

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 4 participants and will be held with only 1 participant.

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 will be provided for our outings during the Boot Camp, if you are flying arrangements can be made to pick you up at the airport.

What is Not Included

Transportation to and from the workshop, meals at restaurants, entrance fees, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature.

Meals

Meal that we prepare and eat at the cabin will be included, meals we eat out at restaurants on photo-shoots and day trips will be the responsibility of the participant.

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 $500 is required to reserve your space, and full payment is due  by May 1, 2018. 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 whatsoever. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop we will give full credit towards another workshop.

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.