10th Annual Spring Equine Photographers
Photo & Video Workshop and Horse Drive

The Location
Join us this spring for an intensive week of horses, cowboys and photography in beautiful Northwest Colorado! Moffat County is a vast, unspoiled, remote region in northwestern Colorado where you can experience nature in settings that have remained much as they were thousands of years ago. The region is part of the "Outlaw Trail." More than half of the 3 million acres is held as public land. Moffat County is blessed with large herds of elk, deer, wild horses and pronghorn antelope; abundant populations of mountain lion, bear, and bald eagles, and many unique varieties of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Read more about the region.

Three Great Events

Video Workshop April 27 - 29, 2012
This EPNet video workshop is going to cover the essential basics necessary to understand today’s video production techniques.  The classroom discussion will cover equipment considerations,  production value, techniques for shooting, getting good sound, lighting and editing, and software considerations.

Using digital SLRs, students will have the opportunity to apply the information covered in the classroom, and apply it in the field.  The combined footage shot by the students will be edited into a short finished video.

Headed by noted equine photographer/videographer Scott Trees and Nikon Technical Specialist Mark Kettenhofen, students are sure to gain valuable information from these knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Nikon will have some of the latest digital SLR bodies that shoot HD video as well as a wide variety of lenses to loan for workshop participants.

Photo Workshop April 29 - May 3, 2012
The Walker Family and the Sombrero Ranch cowboys and cowgirls once again invite the EPNet photographers back to the Sombrero Ranch for exclusive photo shoots and special access to the Sombrero Ranch activities. Scott Trees and Carien Schippers will lead two full days at the ranch where we will have exclusive up close and personal photographic access to the Sombrero Ranch and a group of cowboys and cowgirls working herds of horses. We will be able to set up shoots with the cowboys as they go about their work on the ranch. These horses are fresh off their winter range so be ready to shoot some action!

Mark Kettenhofen from Nikon will bring a large selection of the latest Nikon gear for participants to try along with technical support. Five-time California Photographer of the Year (PPC)Sherron Sheppard will be presenting two intensive Photoshop classroom sessions. The classes will concentrate on building Photoshop skills to enhance your artistic vision.

In addition we will offer portfolio reviews, group discussions and guest speakers and end the workshop with a photo review session on Thursday evening with our Sombrero models. The Sombrero Ranch shoots will be model released. Participants will also want to take the time to explore the nearby Sand Wash Wild Horse Range. Please check back as we will be adding some exciting guest speakers soon!

There will be some free time in the schedule for participants to explore the nearby wild horse ranges (maps to this area will be provided), something you will not want to miss while you are in this part of the country!

By special invitation photographers may go for a guided two hour trail ride with the cowboys and wranglers on Wednesday afternoon at Sombrero Ranch. This is the perfect opportunity to see some of the vast back country surrounding the ranch from horseback!

Special EPNet Photo Event: Great American Horse Drive May 4 - 6, 2012
Want more of the wild west? Plan to stay for the annual Great American Horse Drive hosted by Sombrero Ranch. By special invitation, EPNet members will have the chance to shoot this three day event as part of the Sombrero Ranch crew and have once in a lifetime photo opportunities as over 800 horses are rounded up and driven 50 miles to the home ranch over two days. Meals and transportation for all photographers will be provided all three days.

The Annual EPNet Workshops bring members together from all over the world. We are in comfortable surroundings that lend themselves to a multi-faceted sharing of knowledge and a relaxed atmosphere free of pressure.

You won't want to miss out! We will be adding more details on speakers, sponsors and topics as they become available. Please check back for updates!

What's it all about? View the video.

View Workshop schedule and details
View Horse Drive schedule and details

Craig Area Links

Craig & Moffat County • Craig Chamber of Commerce
Northwest Colorado Site • Official Colorado Site
Sandwash Wild Horses • Article on the Wild Mustangs

What do past participants say?

"There is nothing to compare (or I have yet to find it) to hundreds of horses coming toward you in every direction as you rapidly fire the camera trying to capture it all. I still haven't gone through all the photos and love reliving the moment as I rediscover a choice photo. I have been trying to come to the Sombrero EPNet happening for four years and was thrilled that this year it worked, so it was extra special for me!

"All the pieces fit together nicely, the organization, the Ranch, the wranglers, models, cooks, and of course the horses. I thought the participants were the nicest of any workshop that I have attended, and I hope to keep in touch with some, and of course the weather was perfect for all of our shoots. I liked the snow in the photos of the weekend of video that I missed." Pat Jarvis, Colorado