Western Lifestyle Photography Workshop

THE ULTIMATE WESTERN LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

OCTOBER 10-13, 2024

Join us for our 6th annual Western Lifestyle Photography workshop in the beautiful mountains of Northern Idaho this Fall!

We will take advantage of the area's natural beauty during prime Fall color and the gorgeous light North Idaho has to offer while photographing authentic cowboys and cowgirls on this fifth-generation ranch. You will be fully immersed in the Western Lifestyle while you stay and learn how to photograph everything our Western Lifestyle has to offer.

This workshop is geared toward everyone from amateurs to professional photographers. If you want to improve your photo skills, fine-tune specific areas, go back home to apply your enhanced skills, add to your photo portfolio, or just want a true Western experience and northern hospitality during a once-in-a-lifetime relaxing photographic vacation, then this is for you!

New this year, we will include model and site releases with the workshop. What does that mean? That means the photos you capture during the workshop are yours to use for personal use, to promote yourself on social media, or to sell physical or digital images. 

The workshop is limited to 10 people, allowing the instructor to work with you individually and help you develop your skills. During your shoot times on the ranch, you will photograph a multitude of Western life while having the instructor right there to help you along.

Between shoot times, you will have the opportunity to edit images on your laptops with whatever software you are using. However, we strongly suggest using Adobe Lightroom. Amy shoots Canon and uses Lightroom for cataloging and editing. You will get a lot more out of the workshop if you have an editing system in place and understand how to use it prior to arriving at the workshop.

It is best to understand the basic functions of your camera and equipment. However, your instructor can help you work through choosing which settings are available for different scenarios to get the look you are striving for. If you want to make that jump from auto settings to manually controlling every aspect of your photo, this is an excellent opportunity to do so!

Cowboy Riding Horse
Silhouette of cowboy and cowgirl holding their hats up in the air
Horse herd running with rider out front photography workshop

THE INSTRUCTOR: AMY PETERSON – SELKIRK RIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY

I am a native of Sandpoint ID, and have been blessed with growing up in the mountains of North Idaho which has provided me with great photo opportunities right out my back door. My love for photography started early in life taking trips with my family into mountain lakes and along alpine ridge tops, the kind of backdrops that many others never see. It continued to grow as I watched my children’s involvement in the outdoors, striving to capture all the little things that helped make them who they are, the type of activities that can’t be easily photographed in a traditional studio. My passion for photography has exploded over the years. Shooting a variety of subjects has helped my work evolve into very beautiful natural light landscapes, wildlife, ranch living and outdoor life photography.

I am a graduate of Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, MT and strive to learn and grow wherever and whenever I can. I am a member of PPA and a Certified Professional Photographer.

I have a small studio in the Selle Valley that is my “happy place” where I do a variety of studio work and develop my creative side as a photographic artist.

While I love to photograph small intimate country weddings, families, children and senior photos, my passion is lifestyle and environmental portraiture in rural settings. You will most likely find me spending time in the saddle, up on a ridge, in my tree stand or out at the barn with my camera in hand. My hope is to portray the lifestyles that many don’t see anymore and help preserve the rural heritage of our land.

To learn more about Amy and her work visit the Selkirk Ridge Photography website.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

Kiah Mays, @k_ography_:

My passion for photography started as a baby growing up with my Mom continuously taking photos of me throughout my life. As curiosity arose, I decided to give the other side of the camera a try, and I instantly fell in love with the feeling of being able to capture moments, which inspired me to discover my own style and creativity.

Photography has pushed me to grow in unique ways and try new things that I would never have without a camera in my hand. I especially enjoy taking candid lifestyle shots of people doing what they love in their own element, as well as commercial photography for the outdoor industry. From photographing western lifestyle to elk hunting and shotguns, I enjoy it all!

I am currently pursuing a variety of classes and workshops as well as assisting in teaching our Western Photography Workshop and some Photography Basics classes every spring and fall here in North Idaho! When I'm not hunting or fishing, you will see me with a camera in my hand, creating my own work. My journey has just begun, and I can't wait to see how it develops over time.

 

Libby Schoonover, @libbytherancherswife:

I like to say I grew up on the back of a horse, and now I make a living the same way. I am blessed to be able to live and work with my family at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. I am married to my high school sweetheart, @ranchwisehorses, and we have a wild, wonderful little boy. I have always loved taking photos but, didn’t have the means to purchase a professional camera until my mid twenty’s. I saved for most of 2017 for my first camera and the rest is history. I mostly take pictures of my life on the ranch, and I love sharing my passion for our area and lifestyle. I also love working with companies shooting content, and letting my creativity flow.

Danielle Otis, @danielles_lens:

I love black coffee, chai tea, old books, the smell of Fall, Summer thunderstorms, fresh powder on the mountain, cool old stuff, gardening, good fiddle music, and my favorite horses are always the little ones. I think smile lines are a good problem; you shouldn't take yourself too seriously, and joyful enthusiasm about life is contagious. I am married to Mr. Mustache, aka @hikenorthidaho, aka Landon, and we have two extraordinary kiddos. I have the privilege of being a homeschool mama. I live and work on our 5th generation family guest ranch, Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. I am blessed to be able to live my passion as my work and share this life with the people who visit our ranch. My roots run seven generations deep here in this part of North Idaho. It is an understatement to say that I love this area and am deeply connected to it. I started my photography journey several years ago with the goal of having great pictures of my own family and photos of the ranch that I could share with others. I love sharing and promoting the western lifestyle, and I feel that my photography is a channel through which I can share that western lifestyle.

Kim Dana, @danaranch:

I love a good cup of cowboy coffee, dark chocolate, meat pizza, good Mexican food, the smell of Spring rain, horseback riding, growing vegetables, the longer days of Summer, those fantastic colors of Fall, the sound of a fiddle and guitar in a cowboy song, and a horse with a lot of heart. I’m married to a wonderful and supportive man, John Dana. I’m blessed to work at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. I’m able to share our history, meet some cool folks, and spend my days on horseback. I’ve lived here all my life, so I have a lot of passion for our piece of heaven I call home. I have taken pictures since I was younger, but my photographic journey was re-ignited a few years ago. I love taking pictures of the western lifestyle, and I’m looking forward to sharing some western lifestyle North Idaho style with you.

 

Cowboy ina green coat sitting on a horse tan horse
Little boy in cowboy hat leaning on a stick and smiling
Cowgirl wearing a hat with sorrel horse by a fence
Book the workshop

RANCH STAY AND ACCOMMODATIONS AT WESTERN PLEASURE GUEST RANCH

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is rich in authentic Idaho beauty and history. Stunning views and fresh mountain air surround you at this Idaho dude ranch where you experience the adventure and spirit of the West.

Lodging is provided in one of the private rooms in the 10,000 square foot log lodge or for groups of three or more lodging will be in one of the hand hewn log cabins. Ranch gourmet meals and access to many amenities the ranch grounds has to offer are also included in the workshop package. Horseback riding is not included but can be scheduled ahead of time. Extended stays after the completion of the workshop can also be arranged.

Silhoette of cowboys and cowgirls riding horses and hold their hats in the air
Mountain man in buffalo rug with gun
Silhouette of cowboy and horse at cross

TENTATIVE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

(This schedule is subject to change based on weather, models, horses, and ranch happenings)

Thursday, October 10

3:00 – 4:00 – Check-in
4:00 – 6:00 – Meet and greet followed by an Introduction by Amy. Welcome from the ranch and a bit of history and legacy. Discussion and overview of our upcoming shoots.
5:30 – 6:00 – Mini shoot on the lawn to gauge everyone’s starting point.
6:30 – Dinner

Friday, October 11
7:00 – Leave for Sunrise shoot at one location 3-4 shooting options. Quick to-go food will be available.
9:30 – Edit and critique the sunrise shoot photos and discuss next shoot
10:00 – Brunch
12:00 – High Noon shoot if time/weather allows
4:00- Leave for evening Sunset shoot at chosen location and 3-4 shooting options
7:30 – Dinner

Saturday, October 12
7:00 – Leave for sunrise shoot at one location 2-3 shooting options. Quick to-go food will be available.
9:30 – Sort, edit, critique, discussion of sunrise shoot
10:00 – Brunch
1:00 – 3:00 Edit photos
3:00 – Submit top images and set up for the slideshow.
6:30 – Dinner
7:30 – Slideshow

Sunday, October 13
9:00 – Breakfast
11:00 – Check Out – See you next time!

Photographer sitting on the ground taking a photo of a rider in the field
Photographer taking photos of cowboy with horse
Boy riding with American Flag with two photographers taking photos

All-Inclusive Workshop Cost

$2400 per person
(Tax and gratuity not included)

Add-On Costs

Mini Shoot and Lightroom Classic Basics Course – $625
October 9, 2024 - October 10, 2024
Meals and lodging included


Wednesday, October 9th
3:00 – Check-in
4:00 - Program loading, tech check, and cataloging
6:30 - Dinner

Thursday, October 10th
9:00 - Breakfast
10:00 - Mini Shoot, cataloging, and editing
12:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 Class continues

To enhance your workshop experience, it is highly recommended that you take this course. We will start the first afternoon by making sure programs are loaded correctly and begin learning about Lightroom cataloging. The next morning will begin with a quick mini-shoot exercise to gain content for cataloging and editing in Lightroom Classic. Come with Lightroom loaded onto your computer and ready to learn the basics of importing, cataloging, key-wording, flagging, and using the basic tools for editing and image enhancement. It is designed for people who want to learn Lightroom Classic or become more efficient with their workflow and the basics. If you have never used Lightroom and plan on using Lightroom during the workshop, you must sign up for the Lightroom class.

Additional Night – $175/$250
 Looking to extend your stay for a little extra time before the workshop? You can add additional nights to your reservation for $175 per night for lodge rooms or $250 per night for a cabin.

Additional Person (non – participant) – $750
Bring along a significant other, friend, or family member, and they can enjoy the beauty of North Idaho in the Fall as well! This non-participant price includes lodging and meals. No activities are included. Non-participants cannot participate in or attend the photoshoot sessions.

Horseback Riding (reservations required) – $90 per person. The best times to schedule a horseback ride to fit into the workshop schedule would be Thursday at 2:00 pm before check-in or Saturday at 2:00 pm.

Terms

A $500 deposit is due at registration. The balance will be due 30 days prior to the workshop. Cancelation with a refund of deposit up to 30 days prior to the 1st day of the workshop. If canceling within 30 days of the workshop, the full amount of the workshop will be retained unless the spot can be filled. If we can fill the spot a full refund will be offered.

At this workshop, we are offering an educational experience to learn how to shoot Western Lifestyle Photography and to tell a story with your images. Shoot scenarios, props, models, and photo opportunities are put together by the instructor for learning purposes and are her creative work as a photographic artist.

Model and Property releases will be given for this shoot. Students of the workshop are able to use the images for their own personal use as prints and photo gifts as well as using the images in a personal portfolio. You will also be able to use images for profit or release the rights to be sold for stock photography or contests (Be aware that with contests, often your rights are released for further usage by that publication).  We would love for you to share your work and experience on social media and ask that you tag Western Pleasure Guest Ranch and Idaho Western Photography in your posts. We strongly recommend watermarking your digital images for anything posted online, so that credit for the image itself is given to you.

Book the workshop

To make reservations and for questions regarding lodging:

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
phone: (888) 863-9066
email: [email protected]

For questions regarding workshop, topics covered, equipment, etc:

Amy Peterson, CPP
Kiah Mays, Photographer/Videographer
Selkirk Ridge Photography
Phone
Website
Email
Facebook
Selkirk Ridge Instagram
Western Lifestyle Instagram

For questions regarding workshop, topics covered, equipment, etc:

Kiah Mays, Digital Creative/Photographer/Videographer
K_ography
Website
Email
Instagram

2023 Workshop

Western Lifestyle Photography Workshop sunset group photo of photographers

2022 Workshop

silhouette of photographers holding cameras up with riders on each side

2021 Workshop

silhouette of photographers holding cameras with cowboys on horses at photography workshop

2020 Workshop

silhouette of people holding up cameras and two people standing on horses holding up cowboy hats

2019 Workshop

silhouette of people holding cameras and two people on horses
Book the workshop
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Signature Ranch AwardDude Ranch Association2020 Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Top 50 AwardVisit SandpointVisit Idaho badgeHorse Safety Program
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