1. What are the Workshop dates and duration?
Dates are 17 to 22 August 2025.
The Workshop runs for 6 days and 5 nights, based in southern New Mexico and southern Arizona.
2. What if I'd like to stay an extra day at the ranch?
You may extend your stay to 7 day and 6 nights at the Ranch for an additional $500.00 per person.
3. What is included in the price?
Lodging at the Painted Pony Ranch, a Private, high-end Ranch Estate in southwestern New Mexico; Daily Continental breakfast (Except Day 1); Bag lunch on photography days; Basic weather forecasting; Storm photography basics; Post-processing session of photos, and transportation during the workshop with snacks and drinks provided.
4. Is transportation provided during the workshop?
Yes.
5. What are the physical requirements?
Moderate walking, Carrying heavy camera equipment, Entry into and out of high-clearance transportation.
Most shooting locations are roadside with walks up to approximately 1/4 mile from the transportation. Some uneven desert terrain (Rocks, ditches, cactus, and ground obstacles) may be encountered.
Due to the possibility of danger to life (a lightning striking close near participants), must be able to respond immediately to re-entering the transportation without assistance.
6. What if the weather does not cooperate?
This is the Monsoon season. Daily forecasting ensures we are flexible. If storms shift, so do we. We will seek opportunities safely and intelligently.
If there are no storms in our area, for example, more than four-hours away driving time from the ranch, we will discuss as a group our activity for the day.
If there are no storms in our area, we may spend the day in the Chiricahua Mountains, or perhaps in Tombstone, Arizona, or other possible attractions.
7. What is the cancellation policy?
The deposit of $750.00 is not refundable.
If you cancel by 16 July 2025, you will receive back the balance of funds that you paid toward the workshop, minus the $750.00 non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel on or after 17 July 2025, up to 1 August 2025, you will receive a refund of $1,375.00.
If you cancel on 2 August 2025 or after that date then, No Refund will be given.
8. What photography gear should I bring?
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera (maybe 2 camera bodies)
- Wide-angle lens (16mm, 20mm, or 24mm)
- Mid-size telephoto lens (24-200mm)
- Telephoto lens (150-600mm)
- STURDY tripod
- Remote shutter release or an intervalometer
- Lightning Trigger (daytime lightning capture)
- Up to 3-stop Neutral-Density filters for your lenses
- Laptop with Lightroom and Photoshop (for post-processing sessions)
9. How experienced do I need to be?
This workshop is designed for photographers beginning to advanced participants.
You should know how to use the basic functions of your camera in the Manual Mode (ISO, Shutter, and f-stop settings). We will help you with the correct settings and adjust them according to the weather.
10. Where do we stay and can I request a private, single-occupancy room?
We will be staying on the Painted Pony Ranch, a Private, high-end 750acre ranch, all to ourselves. There will be 10-11 people at the workshop, including participants and staff.
When you confirm your registration, you may ask if a single-occupancy room is available. if it is, it will be an additional $500.00 to reserve the room for yourself.
11. What if I am afraid of lightning?
We will be practicing lightning safety according to the guidelines of the National Weather Service, for the most part. Obviously, we will not be going indoors when thunder roars immediately, unless we are in imminent danger to life. We will endeavor to always error on the side of safety and re-enter the transportation prior to the danger being too close and with enough time to re-enter the transportation safely.
The use of specific Radar Apps by the staff will assist us in forecasting the potential for danger to the workshop participants, and adjust accordingly.
12. Are airline flights included in the price to and from the Workshop?
No. We can however help with booking and managing your flight for an additional fee.
13. Are hotel bookings before and after the Workshop included in the price?
No. We can however help with booking and managing your hotel for an additional fee.
14. Do you recommend that I purchase Travel Insurance?
Yes, we HIGHLY recommend the purchase of Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance.
This insurance will help you receive some of your investment funds, if you need to cancel your attendance at the Workshop.
Keep in mind that if you do not have Travel Insurance, you will be required to sign a decline waiver if you do not have it.
15. Once I book the Workshop, is it fully refundable if cancelled by me?
The deposit of $750.00 is not refundable.
If you cancel by 16 July 2025, you will receive back the balance of funds that you paid toward the workshop, minus the $750.00 non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel on or after 17 July 2025, up to 1 August 2025, you will receive a refund of $1,375.00.
If you cancel on 2 August 2025 or after that date then, No Refund will be given.
16. I booked the extra Day and/or a single Occupancy Room. What happens to the extra $500.00 that I paid for my Single Occupancy Room and/or my extra Day?
Following the normal Workshop cancellation policy:
If you cancel by 16 July, the extra $500.00 paid for the Single Occupancy Room and/or the extra $500.00 paid for the extension of you Workshop will be refunded back to you minus the $750.00 non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel on or after 17 July 2025, up to 1 August 2025, you will be refunded $1,375.00, plus $250.00 that was paid for the Single Occupancy Room and/or the extra $250.00 paid for the extension of the workshop.
If you cancel on 2 August 2025 or after that date then, No Refund will be given.