Registration Confirmation

This distinctive experience will be full of personal touches and attention to detail; all intended to encourage your creative eye and allow for your artistic spirit to step forward with confidence and joy.  We are so pleased to have you as part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

This all-inclusive photography event to be held at the historic Ranch A lodge south of Beulah, Wyoming.  This workshop is based out of a professionally staged, 1932 Wyoming hand-hewn log lodge by architect Ray Ewing. Our base of operations for class gatherings, meals, and lodging. You can expect to share a spacious, comfortable room and bathroom.  You’ll be fully immersed in the experience with rustic and western designed furnishings and décor by legendary Thomas Molesworth. The surrounding picturesque locations along the winding stream and rock rimmed Sand Creek Canyon property offer a variety of magnificent sets. (Wi-Fi available)

An immersive, hands-on American Western Heritage experience, 4 days/3 nights lodging, meals, snacks, drinks, professional model fees, personal instruction by premier portraitist Jodie Baxendale, classroom presentations, guest speaker, 6-10 various guided concept shoot sets, studio lighting instruction, general post production, take home information and PDFs, constructive photo critiques and feedback, model releases, and a ridiculous amount of timeless, epic photos added to your personal portfolio!  I am sharing everything I love with you!  *“Model Fees” are included; however, tipping models is at your discretion during each photoshoot set.

All meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages and water are provided.  We are able to accommodate a range of dietary needs, if informed of them in advance.  We will do everything we can, within reason, to make you comfortable and cared for.  Click here to view Daily Menu

You can expect to share a spacious, comfortable room and bathroom.  Attendees will go up a set of crafted wood spiral staircases to the guest rooms located on the second floor of the rustic lodge.  Staff will be available to assist in carrying luggage up and down the stairs.  Each large room, surrounded by hand-hewn log walls, has three bunk beds and a shared modern bathroom.  Rooms will accommodate 2-3 individuals.  Bedding, towels and wash cloths are provided.  The second floor also has a fireplace and two seating areas on the open balcony.

As attendees register, there will be a JodieB Experience Facebook Group you will be invited to join.  This is a good place for those travelling by plane to possibly connect with others for carpooling arrangements from the airport.

On the morning of the last day of the workshop, we will meet for a “Grateful Goodbye” brunch.  There will be a recap slideshow of the weekend, and a signed model release and use waiver given to each attendee.

Bring the gear you primarily shoot with.  We will have several photography scenario options and depending on how you shoot or what sort of shot you want to accomplish; different lenses might be preferred over others.  We will also have opportunity with some sets to use strobe / studio lighting and will have hot shoe triggers available for Sony, Canon and Nikon for attendees to try out.

Camera:  a DSLR or a mirrorless with the ability to shoot RAW, with a hot shoe mount; and a backup camera.

Lenses: wide angle, standard and telephoto.  For example, I primarily shoot landscape scenes with wide 16-35mm or action on a standard 24-70mm and portraiture with telephoto zoom 70-200mm or prime lens 35mm, 50mm or 85mm.

(If you feel limited on lenses, you could consider renting online from a retailer like BorrowLenses.com or LensRental.com.  This is a great way to try out new gear without having to buy.  The companies mail the gear to you before the trip and you send it back when you get home.)

Tripod: A sturdy outdoor tripod that is made to hold the size and weight of your camera and lens combination.

Miscellaneous: Bring plenty of digital memory cards, sturdy memory card holders, extra batteries and battery charger, lens cleaning cloths, dust blower, camera cover for rain, camera bag or backpack that allows you to easily pack and get to your gear.  Be sure to label and inventory all your camera gear.

We will shoot rain or shine, dawn to night.  A rain jacket / poncho is a good idea and/or a small travel umbrella.   Always be prepared for any kind of weather.  It can get cold at night and in the early mornings.  Layers of warm clothing, light gloves, beanie, sturdy walking shoes (best if water repellant, as morning dew can soak).  The climate in the Wyoming Black Hills in late September is ideal, with seasonal highs averaging 70-80ºF and lows in the 50sºF.  There can be a chance of rain, and wind is expected.

While not mandatory, you will get the most out of the classes if you bring a laptop computer with a card reader.  It would be best to have Adobe Lightroom software installed, making sure you download the Classic version and not the CC.

Note:  I am not an editing guru, nor do I teach Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, but what skills I presently work with, I will review my basic flow and primary editing.

I use Adobe Lightroom Classic / Photoshop / Corel PSP.  If you use and prefer another editing program, that is just fine.  We will discuss the basic material you can apply to your workflow, as much of the editing is focused on the artistic side of image processing.

Feedback Session:  During scheduled times, we will have a feedback session to breakdown 5-10 of your best images.  We will offer you insightful critique on how to improve.  We will have time to upload cards after concept set shoot times, and will cull several to discuss.

The nearest airports are Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, SD and Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport in Gillette, WY. Keep in mind the need for a rental car to drive to the Ranch A lodge. (see map) Ranch A is located in Northeast Wyoming just south of Beulah, 60 miles west of Rapid City, SD, on I-90. Take the Beulah exit, which is the first exit into Wyoming (Exit 205), and travel south 5 miles. Proceed 5 miles on gravel and Ranch A will on your right-hand side. From Gillette, Wyoming travel east 76 miles on I-90 and once again take Exit 205 and travel south as mentioned.

Click for Map

Keep in mind this workshop destination is set right in the center of a rich historic Tri-State area (Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming) with a bucket list places to visit! If planning an extended trip, and interested in adding days before or after your JodieB Experience, consider adding time to visit: Devil’s Tower, Crazy Horse Monument, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon, Sturgis, Deadwood, Custer State Park, Vore Buffalo Jump, Custer Battlefield, Wounded Knee, Center of the Nation, & numerous caves, museums, hiking trails, etc.  Click the state icon links below to learn more about attractions in each.