Guests and staff will gather in the Saloon for an early breakfast before our first sunrise photography session.

Help guests photograph sunrise silhouettes of three horseback riders, two wagons, and one cow traveling along the ridgeline. The wagon train will make passes in both directions, with photographers shooting from the west road toward the rising sun.

• • Watch the spacing from the photographers’ viewpoint. Each wagon, rider, and the cow should have a recognizable outline while remaining close enough to look like a wagon train.

  • Lisa will coordinate with Jesse by radio or bullhorn to adjust spacing, speed, and positioning.

  • Jesse will determine the safest route and appropriate pace for the horses, wagons, and cow.

  • Spread out among guests to help with exposure, focus, and composition.

  • Encourage guests to consider both the full wagon train and tighter compositions.

  • Announce upcoming passes so guests have time to prepare.

  • Keep guests in the designated photography area and clear of the riding routes.

• • Chairs for guests who need them.

  • Lisa’s bullhorn.

  • Radios for Lisa and Jesse.

  • Confirm photographer positions and safe boundaries before the wagon train begins.

Help guests move onto the ridgeline to photograph the wagon train traveling through the landscape with the mountains as a backdrop. Two wagons, three horseback riders, and one cow will travel south along the road toward the Young Riders House, then loop around and return north up the ridge to the starting point.

• • Help guests get into position overlooking the road and Young Riders House.

  • Repeated loops will provide opportunities to photograph the wagon train in both directions and from different angles.

  • Watch the spacing between subjects. Maintain enough separation to see each wagon, rider, and the cow while preserving the appearance of a natural wagon train.

  • Lisa will coordinate with Jesse by radio to adjust spacing, speed, and positioning.

  • Jesse will determine the safest route and appropriate pace.

  • Spread out among guests to assist with camera settings, focus, exposure, and composition.

  • Announce approaching action so guests can prepare.

  • Keep guests in the designated photography area and clear of the wagon train’s route.

  • Finish shooting at 8:15 AM.

• • Chairs for guests who need them.

  • Lisa’s bullhorn.

  • Radios for Lisa and Jesse.

  • Confirm photographer positions and the loop route with Jesse before the action begins.

Lisa will prepare guests for the afternoon portrait stations, explaining how to approach each scene and the lighting and camera techniques they will practice.

• • Saloon in Yellow Hotel: Use a multiple-light setup to photograph a bartender and customer interacting naturally at the bar.

  • Poker in The Oriental: Light a scene with multiple people and capture storytelling moments through expressions, gestures, and poker-game action.

  • Photography Studio: Combine natural light and flash to recreate an 1880s portrait studio, using poses and interactions to tell a story.

  • Low Key Portrait: Use controlled lighting, a prop, and depth of field to emphasize selected details while keeping much of the scene in shadow.

  • Be familiar with Lisa’s instruction so you can reinforce the same concepts at your station.

  • Help answer questions and assist guests with camera settings as needed.

  • Finish at 10:30 AM to allow time for lunch setup and a break.

• • TV.

  • Lisa’s computer and HDMI cable.

  • Lisa’s presentation clicker.

  • Seating for guests and staff.

  • Connect and test the presentation equipment before the session begins.

Enjoy lunch with the guests before the afternoon photography stations. Spread out and sit with guests to visit and answer questions.

• Help guests understand the afternoon station rotations and where their group will begin.

• Help clear tables and collect trash after lunch.

• Finish by 11:50 AM so you have time to get to your assigned station before shooting begins at noon.

Tombstone Alley Walk

Goal: Learn how to shoot a portrait low to high with a wide angle lens.

Learning Objectives: Understanding difference between standing and getting low, how lens focal length changes the look of the image, exposure-handling backlighting and shadow.

Goal: Learn how to photograph a good silhouette.

Learning Objectives: Learn how to expose for the background, separate subject from other elements, create good composition.

Goal: Learn Rembrandt lighting technique for low key.

Learning Objectives: Learn how to expose for low key, and learn a two light set up.

Goal: understand effects of lens focal length and depth of field (DoF).

Learning Objectives: Understanding how distance from subject affects DoF. Understand how subjects distance from background affects DoF. Understand how focal length affects DoF.

Create dramatic, storytelling cowboy portraits using off-camera flash.

• Position two softboxes to create flattering, dimensional light.

• Compose a compelling image that tells a story.

Guide guests in photographing an Old West bar scene with a bartender and customer sharing a drink and conversation. Direct natural interactions, expressions, and small movements to create storytelling portraits.

• • Demonstrate how each light contributes to the scene.

  • Direct the models to interact with one another rather than looking at the camera.

  • Use pouring, holding a glass, and conversation as opportunities for natural gestures.

  • Watch both models’ expressions and positions when composing the image.

  • Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• • Two flashes with softboxes.

  • Two C-stands.

  • Chairs.

  • Liquor bottle.

  • Glasses.

  • Clear distracting items from the bar and background.

  • Arrange the models’ positions and test the lighting before the first group arrives.

Create a dramatic, cinematic Western scene using three off-camera flashes.

• • Use multiple flashes to light both cowboys and create depth.

  • Balance flash with window light to retain detail in the outdoor background.

  • Use depth of field to separate the subject from the background.

Lead guests through a lively Old West poker scene. Direct the models through actions such as tossing chips, dealing or flicking cards, raking in winnings, and reacting to the game while guests capture expressions and interactions.

• • Explain the role of each flash in the setup.

  • Establish the exposure for the outdoor background, then adjust flash output for the models.

  • Guide guests in choosing a focus point and aperture that support their composition.

  • Repeat actions so each guest has opportunities to capture the moment.

  • Watch for distracting overlaps between hands, cards, glasses, and faces.

  • Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• • Three flashes.

  • Three C-stands.

  • Three modifiers.

  • Playing cards and poker chips.

  • Glasses for drinks.

  • Liquor bottle.

  • Move the pool table into the middle of the room.

  • Clean up the background.

  • Mark light stand positions for consistent resets.

  • Arrange the models and test the lighting before the first group arrives.

Create a dramatic, vintage-style portrait using off-camera flashes.

• Position two flashes to create soft, dimensional lighting on both subjects.

• Balance light on the subjects with a darker, atmospheric background.

Recreate an 1880s photography studio with a photographer and a subject having a portrait taken. Guide simple interactions, such as adjusting the old-time camera, positioning the subject, and preparing to take the photograph, to bring the scene to life.

• • Light both subjects while preserving the mood of the studio.

  • Incorporate available natural light where it supports the scene.

  • Direct interactions that clearly communicate each model’s role.

  • Compose to include the old-time camera and enough surroundings to establish the setting.

  • Watch for modern items that could distract from the period appearance.

  • Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• • Old-time camera.

  • Black material for the back of the camera.

  • Two flashes.

  • Two C-stands.

  • Appropriate flash modifiers.

  • Arrange the camera and model positions so both subjects can be photographed together.

  • Test the lighting before the first group arrives.

Create dramatic low-key portraits using Rembrandt and rim lighting.

• • Create Rembrandt lighting to emphasize facial features.

  • Use rim lighting to separate the subject from the background.

  • Control highlights and shadows for dramatic impact.

Guide guests through dramatic Western portraits using controlled lighting and a prop. Direct small changes in pose, expression, and interaction with the prop while keeping much of the scene in shadow.

• • Demonstrate the contribution of each light separately before combining them.

  • Watch how small changes in head position affect the Rembrandt pattern.

  • Control rim-light brightness so it defines the subject without overpowering the portrait.

  • Incorporate the prop intentionally to add character and storytelling.

  • Explore depth of field to emphasize the face or prop while softening other details.

  • Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• • Dry erase board displaying the goal and learning objectives, prepared and placed by Dawn.

  • Lighting equipment for Rembrandt and rim lighting; exact equipment to be confirmed.

  • Portrait prop to be selected.

  • Test the lighting and check the background before the first group arrives.

Help guests photograph the wagon train as it circles the group along the route indicated on the map. The changing angles will provide opportunities for head-on, side, and rear-view compositions.

• • Keep photographers within the designated shooting area throughout the session.

  • Jesse will determine the safe route and appropriate separation between the wagon train and photographers.

  • Lisa will coordinate with Jesse by radio to adjust spacing, speed, and positioning.

  • Loops will continue as conditions allow until approximately 5:30 PM. Jesse will determine the pace and number of loops based on the horses’ condition.

  • Spread out among guests to assist with focus, exposure, and composition.

  • Help guests anticipate changes in light direction and background as the wagon train moves around them.

  • Announce approaching action so guests have time to prepare.

• • Radios for Lisa and Jesse.

  • Confirm the designated photography area and loop route with Jesse before the wagon train begins.

Help guests capture dramatic sunset silhouettes of two rearing horses during our final action session. Photograph one horse with a mounted cowboy, followed by a second horse with its handler on the ground and no rider. If time allows, finish with Jenna walking her horse along the ridge.

• • • Photograph one horse at a time. Keep the other horse and handler far enough away to remain outside the photographs.

    •  Watch for clear outlines and separation between the horse, rider, and handler so their silhouettes remain recognizable.

    • Lisa will coordinate positioning with Jesse by radio or bullhorn as the light changes.

    • Jesse and his team will determine all horse movements, the number of rears, and what is safe for each horse.

    • Announce when the team is preparing for action so guests have time to frame and focus.

    • Spread out among guests to assist with exposure, shutter speed, focus, and composition.

    • Keep photographers in the designated shooting area and clear of the horses and handlers.

    • Three shuttle drivers will assist with transporting guests to the shooting location.

    • Finish shooting at 6:00 PM.

• Lisa’s bullhorn.

• Radios for Lisa and Jesse.

• Three shuttles with drivers.

• Confirm photographer positions, safe boundaries, and the waiting area for the second horse with Jesse before shooting begins.

Enjoy dinner with the guests after a full day of photography. Visit about the day’s experiences and answer questions before everyone returns to the hotel.

• Spread out and sit with guests.

• Lisa will review the next day’s agenda, including meeting times and equipment needs.

• Help clear tables, collect trash, and clean up after dinner.

• Remind guests to gather their belongings before leaving.

• Tables and seating for guests and staff.

• Trash cans and bags for cleanup.

• Next day’s agenda ready for Lisa to review.