We’ll start the day with a catered breakfast in the Saloon.

Grab some breakfast, get settled in, and get ready for another full day of photography at Mescal. Please be ready to go when breakfast ends so we can head out for our first shoot of the morning.

After breakfast, we’ll head back out into the desert for our sunrise shoot. You’re welcome to walk with the group or catch a ride in one of our golf carts.

Please follow the photography staff’s directions as we make our way to the shooting location, and be sure to bring all the camera gear you’ll need for the morning session.

Primary Lens: 400–600mm focal length

Alternate Lens: Wider focal lengths for different perspectives

Tripod or Monopod: Optional

Most images during this shoot will be captured in the 400–600mm range. Wider focal lengths can also be used to create different looks and compositions.
There will be plenty of room at the shooting location, so feel free to bring your camera backpack and additional lenses with you.

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As the sun rises over the Arizona desert, our cowboys will drive a small herd of horses across the landscape, giving us the opportunity to photograph the horses and riders in silhouette against the morning sky.

We’ll work with the changing light, movement, and dust to create dramatic Western images as the horse drive unfolds in front of us.

Please follow the photography staff’s directions carefully throughout this shoot. With multiple horses and riders moving through the scene, staying in the designated photography areas is important for both safety and giving everyone a clear opportunity to capture the action.

After the sunrise horse drive, we’ll transition to our next shooting location.

Please listen closely to the photography staff for directions on where to go and where your group should be positioned. We’ll get everyone into place and ready for the next shoot.

Primary Lens: 400–600mm focal length

Alternate Lens: Wider focal lengths for different perspectives

Tripod or Monopod: Optional

Most images during this shoot will be captured in the 400–600mm range. Wider focal lengths can also be used to create different looks and compositions.
There will be plenty of room at the shooting location, so feel free to bring your camera backpack and additional lenses with you.

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Get ready for some action! For this shoot, our cowboys will drive the horses directly toward the camera, creating an incredible opportunity to capture the power, movement, and energy of the herd coming straight at you.

We’ll divide into two photography groups and position each group in a different location. The groups will be separated by some distance so photographers from one group don’t appear in the other group’s backgrounds.

This shoot will require a little extra coordination, so please listen carefully to the photography staff and move quickly when directed. Once everyone is in position, stay in your designated shooting area until the staff lets you know it’s safe to move.

After our morning shoots, we’ll make our way back to the Saloon for a short break before our education session with Lisa.

Take this time to use the restroom, grab a drink or snack, and recharge for a few minutes. Please be back in the Saloon and ready to go when the education session begins.

We’ll gather in the Hotel for education session with Lori and Mary. They’ll cover portrait techniques.

This is also a great opportunity to ask questions.

We’ll take a short break before lunch. Take a few minutes to relax, use the restroom, grab a drink, or just recharge after a busy morning.

We’ll gather in the Saloon for a catered lunch. Take some time to relax, recharge, and enjoy lunch with your fellow photographers and staff before we begin our afternoon photography sessions.

After lunch, it’s time to begin our afternoon portrait sessions. Make your way to your first assigned station and meet with the photography staff.

Just like the previous day, your group will rotate through four different portrait stations throughout the afternoon.

The same lens and gear recommendations apply to all four of the following photography stations. You’ll rotate through each station, so there’s no need to change or reorganize your gear between them.

Primary Lens: 24 - 70mm or 70 - 200mm

Alternate Lens: 

Tripod or Monopod: No

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Station 1 | Post-Processing with Lisa

Watch Lisa bring images to life as she walks you through her editing process. She’ll share what catches her eye, the adjustments she makes, and the reasons behind her choices. Bring your questions and pick up ideas you can try with your own images!

Station 2 | Low Key in Bank

We’ll return to the Bank for another low-key portrait, giving you a chance to build on the lighting techniques you learned earlier in the workshop.

This time, we’ll create a different setup and look while continuing to work with controlled light, deep shadows, and carefully placed highlights. The goal is to reinforce what you’ve learned while creating another dramatic Western portrait in this atmospheric location.

CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE IMAGE

Station 3 | Portrait in Hotel Bar

At this station, we’ll head inside the Hotel Bar for another hands-on portrait lighting session.

We’ll build on the techniques you’ve already learned and demonstrate additional ways to shape and control light to create different looks and moods. You’ll see how changing the placement, direction, and intensity of the light can dramatically change a portrait.

Then you’ll have the opportunity to put those techniques into practice while creating portraits in this unique Old West setting.

CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE IMAGE

Station 4 | Mercantile Scene

At this station, we’ll step inside the Mercantile to create an authentic Old West scene while taking advantage of the beautiful natural light coming through the windows.

You’ll learn how to recognize and work with the existing light, position your subjects, and use the atmosphere, shadows, and details of the Mercantile to create an image that feels like a moment captured in the Old West.

CLICK FOR EXAMPLE IMAGE

After completing all four afternoon stations, we’ll take a short break before heading back out into the desert for our next shoot.

Use this time to grab a drink or snack, use the restroom, and get your camera gear ready. We’ll meet back in the Saloon before heading out together.

It’s time to head back out into the desert for our next shoot. You’re welcome to walk with the group or catch a ride in one of our golf carts.

Please follow the photography staff’s directions as we make our way to the shooting location, and be sure to bring all the camera gear you’ll need.

Primary Lens: 400–600mm focal length

Alternate Lens: Wider focal lengths for different perspectives

Tripod or Monopod: Optional

Most images during this shoot will be captured in the 400–600mm range. Wider focal lengths can also be used to create different looks and compositions.

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We’ll finish the day with another action-packed horse drive!

We’ll divide into two photography groups, with one group positioned near the Young Riders House and the other on the south end of the ridge. Our cowboys will drive the herd down the road and past the Young Riders House, giving both groups different perspectives on the action.

After each run, the horses will be gathered and reset so we can do it again and give everyone multiple opportunities to capture the action.

For everyone’s safety, photographers will remain in designated areas throughout the shoot. Please listen carefully to the photography staff and stay with your assigned group until directed otherwise.

After our final shoot of the day, we’ll head back to the Saloon for a catered dinner and a chance to relax after another full day of photography.

Enjoy dinner with your fellow photographers and staff while Lisa walks everyone through the agenda for our final day at Mescal.

Then it’s back to the hotel to get some rest, charge those batteries, and get ready for one more incredible day!