Looking for help enhancing a photo? Try our Photo Consultation service. LEARN MORE

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.

2024 Winter Landscape Photography Workshop - Jan 20 & 21

Red barn with a snowy lawn but clear driveway

For 3 years in a row we have had a great time, the weatherman has thrown a blizzard at us once that laid down a bunch of snow and heavy drifting. We still move on,  because what's a winter workshop without snow? In this coming workshop, we are going to be photographing more structures such as barns and old churches in their winter uniforms in SW Wisconsin. Some new ones and some repeats by popular demand.

There are many picturesque structures in this area and the terrain is anything but flat so the area around them is beautiful. Add a fewe inches of snow, and we have the makings of some lovely images. Last year we had falling snow and while is does pose a few challenges, we learned how to decide what looked we liked and then how to apply it in the camera. The feedback was very positive.  Hidden in these valleys are barns, churches, a schoolhouse, and of course the famous grist mill with a stone dam that you may have seen on my IG site. All the makings for lovely winter scenes.  

I do not know yet what our access is going to be for the second day. Many of the properties we visit and walk inside and around the buildings have seen a change in status like ownership or structural safety. While I'm still attempting to nail this down I didn't want to wait until too deep into the season to post this. The goal is still the same,  an almost full day outside and a 1/2ish day inside a few of these structures.  I know some folks can't do both days and I understand it so this is a one-day or a two-day workshop, your choice. So you will have options to register for day 1, or 2, or both

Itinerary********

The weather may cause us to make a few adjustments, but what's a winter workshop without adjustments? So minor details may be tweaked but I'll communicate all the details again to those who register. I cannot guarantee snow either, but we will still have the workshop and take advantage of whatever weather we receive.

So here's the plan. Saturday the 20th will be the "outside day" but also the day with the most locations.  There is a very high probability we will have better access than just shooting from the road for a few of them as well.  The plan will be to meet at 10:00 AM and  I’ll get that location out to the participants after registration, but it will be in or around Dodgeville, WI. We’ll begin a methodical trek to the various locations making the best use of lighting and sun angle if applicable that day.  Again, weather-dependent,  we'll try to do a sunset shoot and then see what evening options are available for dinner. The location where we have been eating dinner has changed hands. According to Facebook, they said they are going to be making many changes. I need to reach out to them and see what their ability is to handle a crowd. I don't mind saying it has been really slow but fabulous service. But it did through off a few who wanted to eat and drive home.  So that's a priority for me. 

Sunday

We'll start a little earlier, 8:00 AM. We'll shoot a couple of locations then head to the insides of a few barns. These locations are special and not usually open for just anyone to come on the property, let alone hang out and take photos. Besides the obvious shots of the barn and the surrounding area, we'll also focus our attention on macro, and textures photography. Now if none of you have ever been in a barn, you may be surprised how little light is actually in them. If you have a small battery powered LED panel or another light source, you may want to consider bringing it for some of the texture shots. We'll be looking to wrap up the day around 1:00 PM

A little bit about the weather.  For those of you who have done winter workshops with me, you'll know I don't cancel them for snowy forecasts, winter storm warnings, or even snowmageddon. Mainly because that's life in the upper Midwest. It snows in the winter. The more snow the better for the photos. Now, I'm not going to make reckless decisions, I don't have a death wish. If the weather is challenging enough I may adjust the location list on the day of the event, mainly because we are driving slower for safety purposes so in order to hit the best stops we may skip a site or two. Chances are you won't even know that unless I tell you during dinner. So plan on going, plan your travel based on the forecast, and pay attention to the forecast 3-4 days ahead of time. Registered participants will receive updates from me based on my observations as well. I will communicate with you and ensure you are informed about any cautions or changes. Safety is paramount. Personal Comfort... well dress properly and the rest will take care of itself. 

Caravaning:  AKA Car Pooling.  Some of the roads we'll be traveling are secondary roads. Because of this, there is minimal snow removal and in some cases no shoulder to park on.  So to minimize the number of vehicles I will be asking you to carpool once we meet in the morning. So if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle and are willing to take 3 or 4 participants please make that known to me somehow.  We'll divvy up the spaces in the vehicles in the morning and come back to your vehicle at the end of the workshop. The fewer vehicles the better. Other than shoulder parking most stops have no parking. 

 Lodging-Details will be shared with participants.

Event Information

Event Date Jan-20-2024
Event End Date Jan-21-2024
Capacity 30
Individual Price From $165
Experience Level Novice, Beginner, Amateur, Advanced Amateur, Professional
Location Iowa County, WI

Ticket Information

Ticket Type Price
Saturday Only $165.00
Sunday Only $165.00
Both Saturday and Sunday $230.00

We are no longer accepting registration for this event

Refund & Deposit Policy

In an attempt to allow registration to begin well in advance for your planning,  you may see the "hold my spot" deposit.

This allows us to publish a workshop before all our final preparations have been determined. The dates are secure, as well as the location. All of the major components are in place with one exception, lodging costs. Usually, the cost of lodging is the biggest variable and is also updated by the vendor well after we would like to begin taking registrations. The price you see does not include any lodging increase but it was the pricing from the previous year, we have not finalized the cost for the upcoming offering. We feel it is important for the lodging to be included because we know we can guarantee a better rate and keeping the whole crew at the same hotel builds continuity and camaraderie. Until we have the exact pricing, we'll offer this deposit to allow folks to register sooner to ensure your spot for this exciting workshop.  When we have the exact pricing, we switch to a half-pay or full-pay option and apply the deposit toward that payment. This "hold my spot" deposit is NOT refundable unless the workshop sells out or you find a replacement who attends in your place. In this case, your refund will be delivered after the start of the workshop. *** If the option to "hold my spot" is not shown on the registration page, then the pricing is established and confirmed for the represented workshop.***

The refund policy is:

  • Up to 180 days before the workshop you will receive a 100% refund
  • Up to 90 days before the workshop you will receive a 75% refund
  • Up to 60 days before the workshop you will receive a 50% refund
  • Up to 30 days before the workshop you will receive a 25% refund

If you find a person to fill your spot or if there is a waiting list and the spot is filled, you will qualify for a full refund regardless of when the spot is filled.

There is no refund within 30 days unless you find someone to fill your spot or there is a waiting list and the spot is filled for you.

Refunds do not include the non-refundable down payment if applicable.(i.e. hold my spot) 

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.