Dances On The Prairie 2025

We have completely reworked this tour and expanded it to offer some amazing photographic opportunities.

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, as well as the cowboy culture that is rapidly diminishing. We will photograph native dancers and drummers;  at the same time  learning the importance of their Native Regalia and what each significant piece of that Native Regalia means. In addition we will learn about their crafts, lodges, and traditions. On our last two days we stay at a working western ranch where we  photograph cowboys and ranch hands.

There will be the opportunity to visit  Theodore Roosevelt National Park and photograph the prairie sunset against the western sky. Photographic opportunities for  big horn sheep, buffalo, prairie dogs, and other wildlife. This is  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 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

Northwest North Dakota, including New Town, Watford City, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, and Medora.

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  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
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 4
Sunrise Photoshoot in at Lake Sakakawea
9:00 am Breakfast
11—3:00 pm Drive to Watford City
3-5:00 pm Break
5-6:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Wildlife drive in TR Park along the Missouri River

Day 5
Sunrise Photoshoot in at TR Park
9:00 am Breakfast
11—3:00 pm Drive to Hansen Ranch
3-5:00 pm Break
5-6:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Evening Photoshoot on the Ranch.

Day 6
9:00 am Breakfast
9:30—12:00 pm Photograph branding round-up
12:00 pm Lunch
1;00-4:00pm Continue to photograph branding round-up
5-6:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Evening Photoshoot on the Ranch.

Day 7
Sunrise Photoshoot at the Hansen Ranch
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00-12:00pm Drive out to Medora and end of workshop

**Please note that this workshop includes the opportunity to photograph a cowboy round-up which includes live branding and castration of calves. This event is weather dependent! If you are not comfortable with these activities we can try to arrange for you to photograph something else, however, the emphasis of the workshop on this day will be these activities so you’ll be on your own to pursue other interests.

Cost: $3,495

The workshop fee is for all accommodations, ground transportation (see description below), tuition, guided tours, both native and cowboy models, native guides and interpreters, and photographic instruction, one authentic traditional native dinner, all meals while at the Hansen Ranch for the last two days.

Not included: airfare, food (except as noted above), and tips for models.

Transportation:

If you are driving we will have you drive to Minot where you can park your car at Tim’s house (Glenburn ND) and Tim will provide transportation to the first location. If you are flying in we recommend Bismarck ND airport where John will pick you up for the ground transportation.

Ground transportation during the workshop includes a return trip to where you started–either Bismarck or Minot.

Deposit:

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

Single supplement is $500

Accommodations are based upon double occupancy, (we will do our best to arrange a single option at the Hansen Ranch with private bath if you sign up for the single supplement but space there is limited, call for clarification.)

Maximum of 6 participants.

Hotel information available upon request. 

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