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Photography Workshops

In one way or another, many workshops and training sessions tend to take on a personality.

We believe that the hosts or the instructors drive that for the most part and managed properly, it allows the participants to relax and be themselves. Even with a group of strangers.

How do we drive that? It’s a simple one word answer. PASSION. We are very passionate about sharing the art and technique of picture making. We look for the artist in each individual and nurture it through out the workshop, building confidence and know how. We know every one learns differently and we’ll work with you at your own speed to help drive the points home and establish good continual habits as you grow and learn.

Tony and Keith firmly believe that the learning environment is critical to the improvement of skills and growth. That learning is always easier when it’s fun. So while the topic may be a technical one and a requirement for moving on, they will present it in a stress free package and through an enjoyable style that keeps the fun in the session. Regardless of your pace, and your past experience, the design of the workshops are to ensure you have growth in your photographic ability, memory cards filled with images, and lasting friendships forged in fun and positive shared experiences.

North Dakota Ruins and Prairie Life 2024

North Dakota Ruins and Prairie Life 2024

Sept 15th - 20th

Don't delay! This one fills up fast.  Awesome days exploring ruins and prairie life with Tony and Keith. Includes ground transportation AND fabulous lodging in the newly renovated residence inn suites. Traveling through Northern North Dakota is like jumping into a time machine to go back over 100 years to a period when this territory was thriving with immigrant farmers.  However, the difference is we are now seeing what remains. In general, we will be shooting abandoned homesteads, churches, barns, grain elevators, and old cars and trucks. 

This workshop will consist of six days and five nights. You will fly /drive into Bismarck, ND to meet the group. We’ll stop and shoot locations on our way to Minot for the remainder of the day. This city will be our hub for the remainder of the workshop. We will stay in one hotel so there is no packing and unpacking. On the road as a rule of thumb, we will spend an average of 30 minutes and a  maximum of 2 hours at any given sight, allowing for time to shoot and receive individual instruction. We will aim to be traveling from 7 am until 6 pm, with time out for a quick lunch.  However, those times may vary throughout the week as we adjust for weather, visibility, and special opportunities. In other words, we may do a sunrise shoot one or more times or even a night sky shoot. So flexibility is the key as the weather permits.

So what do we do?

A typical day can see us stopping at 6-10 locations. We will discuss composition, camera settings, and special effects, as well as get you thinking about color or B&W. Of course we'll cover whatever topic you feel that you need help with: from basic camera settings to understanding your meter as well as other camera “bells and whistles”. You will receive as much instruction as you want, or if you’re a more independent or seasoned professional and prefer to shoot autonomously you can do that as well.

Workshop Inclusions

The cost includes instruction, hotel room, breakfast at the hotel, and ground transportation in North Dakota. The group will be capped at 10 people. Don’t delay there will most likely be a waiting list. Many more details will be shared with registered participants. If you have a specific question, feel free to e-mail or call either Tony or Keith. 

Lodging will be at the most wonderful Hyatt House Minot- Extended stay which is going through a major renovation in early 2024.

The workshop requirements are easy to moderate on the fitness level. There is some field walking and stairs, also some plowed rows and harvested fields that may be a tad tricky. There will be a lot of car time but it’s broken up by stops every 30-90 minutes. We will provide you with advice for clothing/footwear as well as talk through the camera gear and accessories post-registration. The minimum suggested camera equipment is the ability to range from wide angle like 24mm to short telephoto 200mm, based on the 35mm full-frame camera. Fast lenses are not required since you can shoot with a tripod although there are many opportunities to benefit from them. The days can be long with an occasional departure time as early as 5:15 and not returning back to the hotel until after 6:30. We try to avoid these really long days but also will consult with the group as far as stamina levels and fatigue presenting what it is that we are going after.  Promise we will not try and torture you. 

Event Information

Event Date Sep-15-2024
Event End Date Sep-20-2024
Capacity 10
Individual Price $3,150.00
Refund Policy Refunds up to 120 days before event. More information below.
Experience Level Novice, Beginner, Amateur, Advanced Amateur, Professional
Location Minot, North Dakota

Refund & Deposit Policy

The "hold my spot" deposit allows us to publish a workshop before all our final preparations have been determined. Usually, the cost of lodging is the biggest variable. We feel it is important for the lodging to be included because we know we can guarantee a better rate and because keeping the whole crew at the same hotel builds continuity and comrade.  ~  Until we have the exact pricing we'll do this deposit to allow folks to register a lot sooner and get this in their planner. When we do have the exact pricing, we switch to a half-pay or full-pay option and apply the deposit toward that payment.

A full refund is allowed for up to 120 days before the workshop begins. Inside that time if you find a person to fill your spot, or if there is a waiting list and the spot is filled you will also qualify for a full refund regardless of when the spot is filled. Up to 90 Days you will receive a 75% refund, Up to 60 days you will receive a 50%, and up to 30 days you will receive a 25% refund. There is no refund within 30 days, except as mentioned above.

Workshop Reviews

  • Debra M.

    I loved how you accommodated each of us. When I had trouble with my camera, you not only took the time to look into it, you made sure I had time to get the shots afterward.

  • John R.

    The knowledge I gain on this workshop far exceeded my expectations. I felt the brief suggestions on how to shoot each location helped in thinking about composition, which is my weak point. I especially liked the hour I spent with Tony at breakfast before everyone else arrived. I could have spent half a day in a Q&A with both Keith and Tony. I wish I had a tape recorder with me because I cannot possibly remember all of their tips and tricks.

  • Susan B.

    Before I even went on the workshop, I thought it was a good value. Afterwards, I strongly agree. Very pleased.

  • Angie C.

    This being my first workshop, I have to say, I was truly satisfied with everything! From communications, lodging, meals, experience, very friendly fellow photographers, made everyone feel welcome included, offered help w/ anything & everything you needed! I found NOTHING negative (even the rain) about this workshop! Well maybe one thing, it was too short (could stayed for a wk!). I’m ready to sign up for another one!! Thanks so much! I had a great time/experience!

  • Linda M.

    Thanks to both of you! It was a great workshop, providing both excellent sites and new skills. The lodging was excellent. Thanks for an enjoyable learning experience! Great time!

  • KD

    As an inexperienced photographer I appreciate that you did not batter me with information overload. You both offered suggestions, but gave me space to do my own thing. You were patient and available to guide me and answer my questions. I learned some things and had fun along the way. Thank you and maybe I’ll see you on another workshop someday.

  • Tom E.

    Love that you guys are always there when/if we need you - whether with technical or composition questions. You also help us see things that we might bypass. I know that I've improved in my photographic "vision" as a result of the workshops. It's great that you tell us, when we get to each location, the time we'll be spending there. It helps us focus during short stops and let's us wander during long stops.

  • Kris D.

    You two are worth your weight in gold!

  • Lisa T.

    It was a small group of 10, Tony and Keith helped everyone. I've been to a few workshops, I've never had so much help, all I had to do was asked and these guys were there.

  • Dan P.

    I am a photographer that does need a great deal of direction, but with every question I had or opinion I sought, help was always available, and I had competent thoughtful and helpful input each time.

  • Sue H.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the photo workshop experience; … I appreciated both of the host's efforts to ensure that I felt comfortably part of the group's daily excursions and training.

  • Meg S.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the experience. I look forward to another workshop in the future and hope that I can use Tony as a human tripod in the future! :-)

  • Donna T.

    Second time taking a barn photography class with these two wonderful instructors. Nothing better than receiving hands-on instruction from the rock stars of professional rural photography! - Donna T.

One plus One Equals Three

One plus One Equals Three

Tony and Keith have taught groups as large as 50-100 people for organizations as large as Out of Chicago, or The Florida Camera Club Counsel but their real love is in smaller boutique groups of 10-12. Jointly, they have an overall combined photography experience of over 60 years and together over 20 years of teaching experience in such places as the East Coast and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the farmlands of eastern Iowa and Wisconsin, numerous venues in Illinois, around the Great Lakes, the ruins of North Dakota, Cowboy and Badlands photography in South Dakota, the coasts of Oregon and California, Southwest Colorado, and the area around Moab.

Keith’s style leans more on the practical and technical side since he owned a camera store and is a full-time commercial photographer. Tony’s forte is in acting as the field dog, once on site. He loves pointing out compositions, big or small, that the average person misses.

Each in their own way are fabulous and gifted instructors. Together, they bring different strengths, many years of teaching experience, and a true love of photography to anyone who signs up for the workshops.