May 5–11, 2019
With the huge success of our first Spirit-N-Light it up workshop, we decided to take it to one of the best working ranches in Wyoming!
Surrounded by a diversity of scenery and majestic rugged jagged mountain peaks, this workshop takes place on a remote 650,000-acre working ranch in beautiful Shell, Wyoming. Nature will provide us with stunning backdrops for every shoot from the craggy Bighorn Mountains, majestic meadows, slick-rock cliffs, and polychrome-painted hills, to the aspen groves and a rushing river. The ranch is home to 1,200 head of cattle and 95 of the finest ranch horses in the mid-west. The wranglers will drive the horses through the stunning landscape, creating loads of photographic opportunities for action shots; driving horses, roping steers, herding livestock, water spraying, lasso-tossing silhouettes at sunset, and depicting the adversity of ranch life, allowing you to capture the essence of a uniquely American culture while learning some of the most important techniques in creating powerful images that really stand out and define your skill level as a photographer . Amongst the action, we will mix in environmental portraiture, straightforward portraits, and close-up work with the horses and wranglers.
The Spirit-N-Light workshops are designed to develop your skills as a photographer by creating powerful images through the use of dramatic lighting. Understanding how to see, work with, and manipulate light is one of the most important elements in creating dynamic photographs. Yet, grasping the technical side of natural light and artificial light (flash) is challenging, which is why we drop you into an inspiring environment, with interesting subjects, to learn these valuable skills. Focusing intensely on a few creative and technical elements over several days, hands-on, can have a great impact on immediately elevating your photographic skills. This is a skill-building and a portfolio-building workshop. We don’t just set up the shots for you, we teach you the valuable skills you need to create an intentional body of work. This is the perfect workshop to help you prepare for a trip to an exotic destination or to increase your ability for capturing powerful images.
This special Spirit-N-Light it up workshop adds simple flash techniques that will add a “wow” factor to your photographs. During the first few days, you will work with natural light, learning how to see and use light and to manipulate your settings to create intriguing and unexpected images. We will then introduce the basics of fill flash, including how simple it is to use, and how powerful a tool it is. By the last day, our goal is to have you comfortable enough to try using off-camera flash. For most photographers, adding flash seems overwhelming, too technical, too difficult, or just too much work. This is why we will work side-by-side, guiding you through the process and working hands-on in a real-life photographic environment. Adding to the value of light, we have planned an evening shoot around the campfire with our cowboys under the stars where we can also try some creative light painting.
“I have attended several of Pipers workshops, and I will be attending several more in the future! She has a way of teaching that truly inspires-She has really helped me move my photography to a new level. I enjoy every aspect of the workshop, from the early morning shoots, to the group image review, and the late night editing. This year Piper added the element of flash to her workshop by including Greg Thomason, who worked with us and explained how to use flash in many different circumstances. Most of us had never used flash before, and his way of teaching truly opened another door for me with my photography. The combination of Piper and Greg together made this workshop spectacular.” Missy Goldwyn
Throughout the week, during mid-morning through to early afternoon, we will teach through instructional slideshows and hands on break out sessions, covering natural dramatic light, flash, the four elements of a successful image, and portrait techniques. We will have image critiques, round-table collaborative discussions on the creative process, and one-on-one troubleshooting. Our goal is that, regardless of what you know coming into this workshop, you will leave not only with a full portfolio of Western images but with the confidence to go out in the world and capture dramatic images in the way you envision. Come prepared to get out of your comfort zone, work hard, and laugh hard; everyone has a great time during the Spirit-N-Light workshops.
Our luxurious ranch accommodations, located at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, consist of a spacious Western-style lodge. The top floor is home to the cocktail loft, where we will gather before dinner and share our stories. The main floor hosts the fine dining, where we will be served hearty Western fare by a culinary trained chef and gourmet dinners, to say nothing of the spectacular view. The lower level holds a library with an inviting fireplace, large TV, and billiards room. After an exciting day in the field, you may relax and unwind in the hot tub adjacent to the lodge. The Western-style log guest cabins, decorated with excellent furnishings in warm colors, surround the main lodge. Each cabin has wireless internet, flat-screen cable TV, a mini-fridge with complimentary soda, a coffeemaker, air-conditioning, heating, and a welcoming complimentary snack basket.
Unique Benefits of this workshop:
Two caring, expert leaders: Twice the support, instruction, knowledge, assistance, laughter, and genuine concern for your success – exactly what you need when challenging your self to improve your creative skills and vision.
- Piper Mackay has spent thousands of hours in the field across the African continent, photographing both wildlife and tribes, where she developed the natural lighting techniques she will be teaching during this workshop. She teaches in a basic, creative way that is easy to follow. She uses a Canon system.
- Greg Thomason has completed assignments for Peter Hurley, one of the top head-shot, portrait photographers in the world. He brings the technical side to teaching flash in a simple fashion. He has traveled with Piper to Kenya and India. He has an ability to click with his subject to bring out a genuine expression. He uses a Nikon system.
All Inclusive
Our goal is for you to focus on your photography and enjoying the week so we have taken care of all the details. From the time we pick you up in Cody until we drop you back off in Cody, everything is included except spirits. We have included your, accommodations, meals, beverages outside of sprits, beer and wine with dinner, transportation at the ranch, photography instruction, and all gratuities for the staff, wranglers, cowboys and cowgirls.
Releases
All participants will receive model and property releases.
Most Important
Get ready to have an incredible week; be creative, be inspired, make new friendships, have an authentic western ranch experience, and take your photography to the next level!
Itinerary
Day 1, May 5, 2019
Arrive in Cody Wyoming before noon. We will be greeted by our host at 1:00pm and transferred, by private shuttle, to the Hideout ranch, approximately a one-hour drive. We will have time to settle in, relax, and soak in the serene beauty of the ranch before meeting in the cocktail loft to discuss the exciting week ahead. Dinner will follow.
Day 2 – 6, May 6-10, 2019
In the first light of the morning we will be out on the ranch, in different locations, capturing horse drives, round ups, and the daily life of a cowboy in this stunning remote landscape. We will come back to the ranch each morning for a scrumptious breakfast followed by some free time. We will gather again before lunch for an image review.
After lunch Piper or Greg will give an instructional presentation followed by hands on clinics in natural light portraiture, beginning fill flash, portraiture techniques, and capturing the details with creative lighting. Throughout the ranch there are old cabins and barns that we will take full advantage of for these hands on learning sessions. There is also an incredible tack and saddle room that will be opened up to us giving us a variety of photogenic props for details work. During these, “Mini workshops”, we will break into small creative teams, collaborating and working together with our subjects. We believe everyone has creative knowledge to share and learning from each other, as well as the instructors. is a big part of the learning process.
In the beautiful light of the afternoon we head back out into the beautiful landscape with the horses and cowboys honing in on the newly acquired techniques and skills.
In the evening we will gather in the cocktail loft to unwind, relax, share our stories and listen to the intriguing stories of the cowboy culture and ranch life. A gourmet dinner will follow.
Day 7, May 11, 2019
This morning, after breakfast or leaving with a packed snack, you will be transported back to Cody for your departures.
Is this workshop for you?
This workshop was designed by professional photographers for photographers who want to take their photography to the next level learning the power of light, natural and beginning flash. If you own a flash, but leave it in your bag or have an interest in learning how flash can greatly improve your photography but are intimidated by the technical aspects, this is the perfect workshop for you. This workshop will also challenge you to create a solid portfolio of intimate work so you are prepared to the same when traveling to an exotic destination.
Participants should have full working knowledge of their camera dials/settings: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure value, and must know how to use their cameras in aperture, shutter priority, and manual modes. This is NOT a beginning workshop. It was designed for the photographer with shooting experience who wants to elevate their skills and style. Participants should know to download their images and edit images for review. We will share a few tricks and techniques in post processing, but it will be minimal as our main focus is for you to develop the shooting skills you need prior to downloading your images.
LIGHT matters, even when photographing the details. 
Important Details
Cost
The cost of this all-inclusive workshop is $4,295.00, based on double occupancy.
Single room premium is 875.00. Single rooms are limited so if you need single accommodation please inquire before registering.
If you request shared accommodation on your registration form, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. However, if we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will subsequently be charged.
A USD $1,500.00 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
This workshop is “all inclusive.” From the we pick you up in Cody Wyoming at 1:00Pm on May 5, 2019 (Sunday) until the time we drop you off in Cody Wyoming on May 11, 2019 (Saturday) you will not have to pay for anything, but spirits. All accommodation, meals, coffee, tea, water, soda, beer and wine with dinner, wrangler fees, all gratuities, model releases, property releases, ranch fees, transportation while on the ranch, instruction, and critique, are included.
Payment terms.
- USD $1,500.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on workshop
- Final payment/Balance is due Jan 11, 2019
We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance
We must receive both your e-sign registration form and your deposit to confirm your spot. Each participant must fill out a registration form, but you may change the quantity on the deposit and make multiple deposits with one transaction.
