Rodeo & Western Lifestyle

Category Workshop

6-Day Western Photography Experience

April 29 – May 4, 2026 • Limited to 10 Seats

Six Days of Shooting Rodeo, Ranch Life, and The Western Lifestyle Up Close with Full Access to The People and Places.

$2,995.00

10 seats available

Capture the Western spirit on a working Texas ranch. Over six days, you will photograph rodeo action, cowboys at work, cattle drives, wildlife, sunrise and sunset meals, and daily ranch life. This workshop is hands-on, active, and built around a real scene. Only 8 seats are available.

Transportation to all workshop events is included. Every activity is optional; you are free to shoot independently if you prefer.

What This Workshop Is About

The Rodeo & Western Lifestyle Workshop gives you access to people, locations, and experiences you cannot reach on your own. You will shoot:

PRCA rodeo action
Cowboys working cattle
Branding and cattle drives
Dog herding demonstrations
Chuck-wagon sunrise and sunset meals
Wildlife from field blinds
Ranch portraits and lifestyle scenes

Practice timing, exposure, motion, low light, documentary storytelling, and creative decision-making in real conditions.

Full Workshop Itinerary

DAY 1

Sunrise 6:43 AM • Sunset 8:09 PM

3–6 PM: Ranch check-in, waivers, and photo authorization
6:30 PM: Dinner at the 9-Bar Ranch Cantina

DAY 2

Sunrise 6:42 AM • Sunset 8:10 PM

6 AM: Wildlife shoot from the blind
9–9:30 AM: Breakfast at the Ranch Cantina
9:30 AM–12 PM: Introduction and image review
12:30 PM: Lunch at Ranch Cantina + Safety and Rodeo/Lifestyle class
1:30 PM: Depart for Mineral Wells PRCA Rodeo
Return after 10 PM

Western attire required; dinner on your own at the rodeo

DAY 3

Sunrise 6:41 AM • Sunset 8:11 PM

8:30–9 AM: Breakfast at the Ranch
Dog Herding session with Jason Terral (Diamond J Stockdogs)
12–12:30 PM: Lunch at Ranch Cantina
12:30 PM: Image Review — Joe and Lisa’s approach, photo story, and shot planning
3–3:30 PM: Class and snack, prep for rodeo
4 PM: Depart for Mineral Wells PRCA Rodeo
Return after 10 PM

Western attire required; dinner on your own at the rodeo.

DAY 4

Sunrise 6:40 AM • Sunset 8:12 PM

- 8:30–9:45 AM: Ranch slideshow
- 10:30 AM–1:30 PM: Cowboys branding and cattle drive at the ranch
  - Impromptu portraits after branding in the barn
  - Western attire required
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at Ranch Cantina
- 2–4 PM: Break
- 4–5:30 PM: Image review — Shooting from daylight to dark
- 6–9 PM: Chuck-wagon sunset dinner
Western attire required

DAY 5

Sunrise 6:39 AM • Sunset 8:12 PM

5:30–8 AM: Chuck-wagon sunrise breakfast
8 AM: Shoot new colt foals
11 AM–2 PM: Image review (lunch around noon at Ranch Cantina)
2–3 PM: Break
3 PM: “What’s in My Bag?” session, final image review, vote on book cover, wrap-up
Evening: Group dinner

DAY 6

Sunrise 6:39 AM • Sunset 8:13 PM

Optional early wildlife shoot on your own
8:30 AM: Breakfast at Ranch Cantina
Final thoughts and goodbyes

Who This Workshop Is For

This workshop is suited for photographers who want:

A full Western culture photography experience
Behind-the-scenes access to rodeo events
Real action, real people, and real working environments
Guided instruction with daily reviews
A variety of subjects: lifestyle, action, portraits, low light, and wildlife
A small-group setting with individual guidance

You do not need to participate in every activity. You can follow the class schedule or shoot independently based on your goals.

Location

Nine Bar Ranch

3695 Co Rd 4010, Decatur, TX 76234

A 12,000-acre working ranch offering access to landscapes, livestock, wildlife, lifestyle scenes, barns, cattle drives, and authentic Texas ranch living.

All lodging and meals (except rodeo nights) are included.

What to Bring

DSLR or mirrorless camera
Lenses for portraits, action, and low light
Fully charged batteries and memory cards
Western attire for rodeo and chuck-wagon meals
Laptop for reviewing images
Comfortable footwear for ranch terrain

Meet Your Instructors

Joe Duty — Lead Instructor

Award-winning photojournalist with 18 years at the Wise County Messenger. Experienced in sports, rodeo, portraits, wildlife, and event coverage. Joe focuses on practical instruction, timing, exposure control, and storytelling through images.

Lisa Duty — Instructor & Class Manager

Owner of Pro360 Virtual Tours & Photography. Specializes in architectural imaging, HDR workflow, and real-estate photography. FAA-certified drone pilot and Google Street View certified. Lisa assists with instruction, image reviews, and overall workshop coordination.

Words from our Attendees

“The top things I learned from the class were: good use of flash, strategies for photographing different events, overall tips for good photography and getting "up close and personal”. I loved seeing other peoples work and all the reviews and critiques.”

Beverley Sinclair Rodeo & Western Lifestyle Workshop

“I enjoyed the varied amount of shooting experiences that required a varied amount of camera settings....Thanks for a fabulous experience! I really appreciate all the time and effort it took to put this together”

Rebecca Moran Rodeo & Western Lifestyle Workshop

“This workshop, run by Joe and Lisa Duty, is one of the best I have ever attended. They are very knowledgeable and helpful for every participant’s photographic needs. The workshop was structured to cover a variety of subjects and photographic treatments to please everyone. They made everyone feel they were a valued member of the group, no matter what level of photographic expertise each person brought to the workshop. That level of inclusion in the group process, and support is rare in my experience, I would have no hesitation in recommending Joe and Lisa Duty to anyone considering any of their workshops or tuition, and hope I shall have the privilege of working under their guidance again.”

Marea Downey Rodeo & Western Lifestyle Workshop

Register Now

This workshop is limited to 10 students and fills early due to the access provided.