Dances On Prairie

At Crows Fly High overlook you can see for miles in every direction. If you look to the west, across Lake Shakakawea, you will see the village of Four Bears. This is home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes. It is here where we will begin our tour and exploration of this culturally rich landscape.

This workshop isn’t just about making pretty photographs it is about learning the history and significance of the landscape through the native cultures that have made their mark on this land. We will photograph native dancers and drummers; we will learn the importance of their Native Regalia and what each significant piece of that Native Regalia means. We will photograph and learn about their crafts, lodges, and traditions.

During the second half of this workshop, we will go to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and photograph the prairie set against the western sky. We will photograph big horn sheep, buffalo, prairie dogs, and other wildlife. We will see the landscape as it was before any European set foot on this land.

Instruction

Instruction will be on how to photograph environmental portraits, and how to engage your subjects and make them comfortable during the photography session. We will discuss the use of various focal length lenses, lighting, and camera techniques for portraits in the field. We will discuss and demonstrate photographing under challenging light conditions. The second half of the workshop will include instruction on landscape photography including filtering and composition. We will also teach and demonstrate wildlife photography, autofocus settings for action photography, and using long lenses.

Location

We begin the tour in Newtown, North Dakota

If you are traveling from out of state we can pick you up and return you to Minot North Dakota International Airport.

Sample Itinerary

Each day we will shoot at sunset and well into the night. There will be plenty of opportunities for breaks, naps, and rest. There will also be plenty of opportunities to capture stunning photographs.

The following itinerary is just an outline. We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary because each day will be determined by weather, light, and subject opportunity.

Day 1
2:00 Check-in at the hotel. Meet in the lobby for a trip to Crows Flies High Overlook for a historical presentation by a native storyteller.
4:00     Break for meal
6:00     Evening Photoshoot at Crows Flies High Overlook of native drummers and dancers. Interpreter

Day 2
Sunrise shoot on Lake Sakakawea
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Native Crafts and Historic interpreter
1-3:00 pm break
3:00 pm Earth lodge photoshoot, native costume, and beadwork
5-6:00 pm Traditional Native Dinner
6:30—Evening and sunset photoshoot Dancers and drummers on Dancing grounds

Day 3
Sunrise boat ride on Lake Sakakawea
9:00 am. Breakfast
11:00 Check out and drive to Watford City
12:00-2:00 pm Wildlife drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
2-4:00 pm check-in and break
4:00 pm Dinner
5:30 pm Evening and sunset photoshoot in TR Park

Day 4
Sunrise Photoshoot in TR Park
9:00 am Breakfast
11—3:00 pm Wildlife drive in TR Park
3-5:00 pm Break
5-6:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm evening and sunset shoot Tobacco Gardens on Missouri River

Day 5
Sunrise photoshoot in TR Park
9:00 am Breakfast
11:00. Check out and end of workshop.

Cost: $1995

The workshop fee is for tuition, guided tours, models, native guides and interpreters, and photographic instruction, one authentic traditional native dinner, not included are accommodations, transportation, or food (except the native dinner as noted above).

A non-refundable deposit of $500 will hold your spot until 90 days before the workshop when the balance is due.

Maximum of 6 participants.

Once you are enrolled, we will provide hotel information where we have a block of rooms reserved.

Before signing up for a workshop please read our Cancellation Policy.