Travel with our mentors and try out all of the latest equipment from Nikon! Including world class digital SLRs, Nikkor lenses and the Coolpix line of Digital Cameras.

Our location and production team has procured professional models to appear in traditional garments of the Old West for an exclusive model shoot and portraits in the authentic setting of the 'baddest town around', complete with swinging saloon doors, gunslingers, and the O.K. Corral. Not much has changed since the late 1800's when Bisbee and Jerome were the major mining towns in America, home to the famous mining camps, ornate saloon doors, storefronts, and haunts of the outlaws and shady ladies of the West. These towns have seen it all. Alongside our expert mentors and production team, you'll get private access and pre-arranged photo opportunities to help capture the spirit of the American frontier while improving your imaging skills in the field.

Beneath the clear desert sky, the lonely plains and rocky summits of the Tucson landscape provide a stunning backdrop for photographs. Organ Pipe Cactus National Park offers unlimited opportunities for capturing the distinctive desert wilderness and dramatic mountains of the Sonoran Desert. Walk a backcountry trail and enjoy the clean desert air while learning techniques for photographing nature and using natural light. The organ pipe cactus is a large cactus and very rare in the U.S.--they will be a wonderful addition for your growing portfolio.

The Tucson landscape offers a vibrant mix of desert scenery, early American history, and a colorful blending of cultures and traditions. In the early 1700's, the establishment of missions and presidios by Franciscan monks brought an infusion of language, music, religion and tradition from Mexico and Spain. These influences have shaped the look and feel of the American Southwest of today. San Xavier del Bac Mission in the Sana Cruz Valley stands tall against the blue desert sky. It is called the “white dove of the desert.” With private access to the mission, the group will have a special permit to photograph the mission's exquisite Spanish and Franciscan architecture and grand white exterior as it glows against the desert sand and sky.

February is the ideal time to visit the Great Canyon State. Join top photographers Reed Hoffmann and Kevin T. Gilbert and our expert travel and production team, for a once in a lifetime experience to photograph the history, culture and traditions of Tucson, AZ!

A weekend in Tucson, Arizona

As is appropriate we had a beautiful sun shining day in Tucson for the mentor series introduction. We meet and viewed work by our mentors Reed Hooffman and Kevin Gilbert. The event planner reviewed our goals and itinerary for the weekend. We had a full schedule and I looked forward to learning as much as I could about my camera and composing landscape pictures.

Our first photo shoot was with delightful models at the Tucson studios. The beautiful women were very accommodating and looked stunning in the old west costumes they wore. We all practiced our portrait photography with and without the SB-80 flashes. Using a hand held white filter was the option I used and preferred. We headed next to photograph the sunset from the Organ Pine National Monument. We all set up our cameras on tri-pods and waited for the sun to fade away. After dinner we had a presentation by Reed on digital workflow. It was helpful to see how the pros keep track of their photos. I plan on using some of the ideas he taught with my own pictures.

We were lucky again with another sunny and warm day for photography. We ventured to the Sonora Desert Museum where we had opportunities to photograph unique vintage pieces from the old west.

Our next stop was the highlight of the trek…the rodeo and competition. We sat close enough to the action to capture great scenes of the cowboys riding and often getting thrown from the horses. I practiced panning as the riders raced by during the competitions. To wrap up our day we had mentor reviews in the evening. It was interesting and educational to hear the mentors critiquing our photographs.

Our final day was the earliest start yet at 6:30am, but it insured we had good light to photograph at the San Xavier Mission. The light gave the buildings a warm glow that is only possible that early. Our final stop at the Air & Space museum changed our focus to more detailed photography.

The final show and mentor reviews brought the workshop to its conclusion. I learned a great deal and enjoyed shooting along with other photographers. I look forward to upcoming treks and to seeing my new made friend again.