Febuary 7-8, 2026 Cowboy Portraits On-Location Workshop In Wickenburg, Arizona

Due to a cancellation, we have one slot left!!!

Capture the Spirit of the Old American West: A Two-Day Photography Workshop in Wickenburg, Arizona

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of the American West during this hands-on two-day photography workshop in the historic town of Wickenburg, Arizona. Led by award-winning photographer Joel Grimes, you'll master advanced lighting techniques while shooting authentic cowboy portraits against stunning ranch backdrops.

Earlybird Discount! If you sign up 30 days prior to the workshop, you will receive a 10% ($200) discount. To receive your discount, use the word 'earlybird' at checkout. 

Each morning begins at the Wickenburg Ranch Clubhouse, featuring two keynote sessions on topics such as "The Creative Process," "On-Location Lighting Made Simple," "How to Build a Body of Work That Gets Noticed," and "How to Overcome Criticism and Stay True to Your Vision."

For the afternoon sessions, we will travel to one of two local ranches for an exclusive portrait session with cowboys.

A few of the Key Techniques covered at this workshop: Overpowering harsh sunlight using strobes with High Speed Sync, incorporating Neutral Density Filters, light modifiers, and pro tips for flawless outdoor results.

Hands-On Participation: Every attendee gets behind the lens during each session, directing subjects and creating incredible professional-grade cowboy portraits. Join us to elevate your photography skills in an iconic Western setting—spaces are limited!

Cowboys Subjects:  We will be flying in George Schroeder, who is an amazing model and featured in many of my cowboy images.  We will also be securing a few Wichenburg cowboys over the two-day shooting period. This is a golden opportunity you won't want to miss. 

Location: If you are traveling by air, book your flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  Wickenburg, AZ, is located 35 minutes from the outskirts of the Phoenix Valley, or approximately an hour and a half from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  Please note that if you arrive during rush hour, it may take a bit longer. 

Workshop Location: Each morning, we will meet at 9:00 AM at the Wickenburg Ranch Clubhouse (https://www.wickenburgranch.com/) in the designated workshop kitchen area. For the on-location shooting portions, we will be held at the local Simpson Ranch and the Flying E Ranch.  

Meals:  We will cover lunch for each day (Sat.-Sun) and will have dinner Saturday night at Jake’s Spoon, Wickenburg Club House 

Hotels: Wickenburg is the cowboy roping capital of the world, and during the month of February, securing a hotel room can be difficult. Good news—we have secured 15 rooms at the Los Viajeros Inn with a 20% discount off the standard rates for $203.00 per night. It is advised to book your rooms as soon as possible.

Los Viajeros Inn https://www.losviajerosinn.com/

What to bring: Bring your basic camera equipment, geared toward on-location portrait shooting.  It would also be recommended to bring a travel-size tripod. Joel will supply all the lighting gear for the afternoon hands-on shooting portion.  Please note that we will be outdoors each afternoon. Temperatures will be fairly mild, but it is always wise to be prepared, so be sure to bring a good hat and sun protection, as we will be in the desert.  

Workshop Schedule:  

Day One

9:00 - Start the day with introductions and greetings.

9:30 - The Creative Process 

10:00 - Short Break

10:15 - On-Location Strobe Lighting Made Simple.

11:45 - Break for Lunch

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - Head out to the Simpson Ranch with cowboys

5:30 - End of On-Location Shooting

6:30 - Dinner

Day Two

9:00 - Review images from the previous day

9:30 - The power of editing in ACR/Lightroom  

10:00 - Short Break

10:15 - How to overcome criticism and stay true to your vision.

11:45 - Break for Lunch

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - Head out to the Flying E Ranch with Cowboys

4:30 - End of On-Location Shooting

5:00 - Super Bowl Party at Joel's home

Bonus Material

Included in the workshop fee, Joel will provide you with access to his "Dramatic Portrait" video tutorial series after the workshop to continue your education journey. https://www.joelgrimes.com/dramatic-portrait-masterclass-fb