2 Day, Winter Ranches Photography Workshop
Jan 9-10, 2026
Cost: $725 total | Group size: 20
Join us on an action packed, 2-day winter photography workshop in the small town of Westcliffe, Colorado! We will be shooting beautiful horses running against a snow-capped mountain backdrop.
This workshop starts off with an intro class on shooting moving subjects Friday evening.
Saturday morning for sunrise has us out shooting a beautiful old barn with peaks in the background
followed by a Lightroom editing class Saturday after breakfast.
Saturday afternoon is the real highlight as we head to the ranch to shoot the running horses and
cowboys/cowgirls through sunset!
I can provide location options for anyone with the energy to go shoot Sunday morning
as well to get the most from the area.
Don't miss this unique winter western photography workshop!
Experience
Beginner - Advanced
Both beginners & experienced photographers will benefit. I will work closely with you to address strengths and weaknesses. All can expect to be challenged.
Endurance
Moderate
All age levels are welcome on this photography workshop. Light hiking in is involved, but nothing too strenuous. *Reach out if you have any limitations.
Curriculum
Field & Classroom
We will be in the field shooting for sunrise and sunset with classroom time & breaks during the day. Learn new techniques, how to shoot fast-moving scenes in low-light, editing & more!
Group Size
20 people
These large group workshops are my way of keeping costs manageable, while still providing a great experience. Since we are behind fences most of the time, the group size isn't that important.
Gorgeous Mountain Backdrop
We will be shooting at an authentic working cattle ranch located in the small town of Westcliffe, Colorado – nestled at the base of the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.
Photo Workshop Schedule
On Friday, we will start the workshop off at 4:00 PM at the hotel with an introduction followed by a classroom session on light, composition and all the techniques needed to shoot moving subjects in low light. Time for dinner after class.
On Saturday morning, we will rise before the sun to capture a beautiful old barn with a mountain backdrop for sunrise. After time off for breakfast we will have a classroom session on image processing with Lightroom.
On Saturday afternoon around 2:30pm we will head to the ranch several hours of shooting or cowboys/cowgirls and running horses at the ranch! Time for dinner afterwards
While Sunday morning is not officially part of the workshop, I can give several solid location options for anyone wanting another winter sunrise. Most likely many of you will want to join forces and go out together.
It will be a jam packed two days+!
Authentic Cowboys & Cowgirls
Planning Your Trip to Westcliffe, CO
Please note that transportation and accommodations are NOT included and is up to each individual participant.
Hotel: I have reserved a block of rooms at the Lampost Lodge, and Dark Sky Suits located just outside the charming town of Westcliffe. You will want to book a room for both Friday 9th and Saturday the 10th.
Car: We will be carpooling during the workshop to each location. If you won't have your personal vehicle, I highly recommend renting a vehicle so you can also explore on your own before/after the workshop. Driving conditions will consist mainly of paved roads, so a standard car should be sufficient.
Flights: The Colorado Springs airport is the closest and is about a 2 hour drive from Westcliffe. You can also fly into the Denver airport which is a 2.5 hour drive.
WINTER CONDITIONS: Like every winter destination, there is the possibility of a snowstorm affecting plans. If the workshop is not possible due to inclement weather, we will officially reschedule to the following weekend. Please make travel arrangements with this in mind. We recommend travel insurance.
Dan will share methods for capturing the rapid movement of running horses while focusing on the composition of the cowboys and landscape. This will include composing on the move, setting up your camera, lighting conditions, safety, how to approach ranchers for permission to shoot on their land and editing western images.
NEW SKILLS IN THE FIELD
AND IN THE CLASSROOM
Image Composition
Learning how to compose an image is one of the most important elements of photography and probably one of the hardest to master. Starting with this class and continuing throughout the workshop, I will teach you simple and actionable skills that will help you find amazing compositions in any environment.
Creative Editing
We will go through my editing process from beginning to end using a combination of mostly Lightroom with some fairly easy but extremely powerful Photoshop to finish it off. My editing method is very artistic and effective for beginners and advanced users alike. It is always one of the highlights of the workshop.
"Dan is an excellent teacher. His class was probably the best educational investment that I have made for my photography."
What's Included in the Colorado Ranches Photography Workshop:
Instruction from Dan Ballard • Classroom Courses • Running of Horses • Authentic Colorado Ranch Experience • Snacks and Water
Not included: flights, hotel, car and food
TESTIMONIALS
“I have been shooting for 30 years and one day with Dan has literally changed the way I shoot, select and edit and my photos forever. I have had several teachers and mentors along the way, but Dan brought these keys points to light better than anyone else. Dan is honest, down-to-earth, amazingly knowledgable, helpful and generous with his guidance."
"Dan Ballard has a keen eye for great landscape photography and experience in capturing it, HOWEVER, it is his determination to match to the student’s level to share his in-depth knowledge in teaching it to others that was the highlight of the weekend. He was very patient with each student and took interest in each individual’s needs and level of experience."
“I was wholly impressed with Dan on my first western landscape workshop. He has a clear, concise teaching style and was available to each of us throughout the workshop. The one thing that sets Dan apart from others is his selflessness in sharing his knowledge. He wants everyone who participates, from hobbyists to professionals, to get better at their craft.""
"I am a semi-professional photographer from Canada with my work showing in numerous galleries. On every level both Dan and his workshop exceeded my expectations. I left the workshop as a better photographer."