Cowgirls with Cameras

08/21/2026

Congratulations to Shannon who joined us in Nevada at our Cottonwood Ranch Equine Photography Event! She was the big winner of a GOLDEN TICKET courtesy of our friends at Guild Canvas good for a 16x20 canvas of her photography! We can’t wait to see what you choose to hang on your wall.

It’s always a win when we can bring partners we truly believe in into our work. Guild Canvas has been one of those from the start, and we sure love working with them to make our clients happy!

Guild Canvas Co. Shannon HW

08/20/2026

Our Trappers Lake Photography Adventure has room for one more!

This is an incredible event and is for you if you want amazing Autumn color (golden aspens, russet willows, and more!), high country scenery, wilderness adventure backdrops, and the dramatic landscape of Trappers Lake set against a Colorado sky! It includes cowboys, cowgirls, dogs, pack string, lifestyle portraits, action scenes, and unique mountain & lake landscapes that can only be found in the Flattop Wilderness.

4 Days, 3 Nights | September 27-30, 2026
Meeker, Colorado
$2500
Event details are here https://cowgirlswithcameras.com/trappers-lake-lodge-photography-adventure/

08/18/2026

And that’s a wrap! The attendees of our 2026 Cottonwood Ranch Equine Photography IMMERSIVE Experience came ready to fully embrace all that the week held.

Kim, Phyllis and I (Cara) have so much gratitude for every photographer who joined us and jumped into the experience with all the camera gear they had. The early mornings, long days, learning around the big table, unending dust, laughter, experimenting and plenty of memory cards filled to the brim made this week one we won’t soon forget.

And a HUGE thank you to everyone at Cottonwood Ranch who took such incredible care of us. From the riders who were up long before sunrise rounding up horses to ride across that beautiful Nevada landscape for our cameras, to everyone behind the scenes who kept us comfortable, very well fed and made sure we had everything we needed, you made this experience possible.

It takes a whole lot of people to pull off a week like this so smoothly, and we’re incredibly grateful for every single one of you.

What a fantastic week at Cottonwood Ranch.

08/18/2026

Before someone notices the horse, cowboy, or landscape, the light has already told them how the image should feel.
In this episode of Cowgirls with Cameras, we’re talking about how lighting choices shape storytelling in equine and Western photography. We look at how front light, side light, back light, rim light, open shade, and hard light each affect the mood of an image and influence what the viewer notices.

We also compare high-key and low-key photography. Bright, open images can feel peaceful and inviting, while deep shadows can add mystery and drama. Neither approach is simply about making an image brighter or darker. It’s about choosing what you want the viewer to carry away from it.

Finally, we talk about using off-camera lighting alongside natural light. Added light can preserve coat color and detail, separate a horse from the background, balance the subject with a dramatic sky, and give you a better-quality file in camera.

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2692b199-5ec3-45df-9eae-a75f4bcf2315/

08/17/2026

While this isn't exactly what we mean by "horse photographer" we aren't mad about it either. How cute is this guy watching the BTS footage get captured during our Cottonwood Ranch photography event?!

08/16/2026

Faces from the Dryhead Ranch!

08/14/2026

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

Fun capture from our Circle Bar Ranch event!

Roping the Moon...