CANCELLED! Saturday, October 29: Fall Photo Op Fundraiser

A unique opportunity to photograph Happy Dog Ranch when the Chatfield Cottonwoods are turning gold. You will be up close and personal with a wide array of farm animals, including over 40 horses in a variety of breeds from majestic Gypsy Draft horses with their distinctive blue eyes to a stout little Icelandic horse. In addition to the horses, you will have the opportunity to photograph alpacas, chickens, burros, a miniature steer, a potbelly pig, a sheep, a llama, and a variety of goats including several adorable Pygmy goats that are about the cutest little guys you will ever see. On the ranch are bales of hay, a photogenic old farm truck, old farm equipment, lots of interesting little bits and pieces to shoot some great macro shots. Adjacent to the ranch is a wonderful vintage red brick silo that looks amazing in the golden hours. It can easily be photographed from the boundaries of the ranch.

This beauty might soon disappear as developers are already poised to move in, so shots of it against the open range are sadly going away soon.

Details:

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016

Times: Two sessions of 5 hours each will be offered. Session I will be from 7:15am until 12:15pm, with check-in starting at 7am, which will give you the opportunity to capture sunrise at 7:26am. Session II will be from 1:30pm until 6:30pm, with checking starting at 1:15pm; sunset at 6:01pm.

Cost: $99 per session; both sessions, $175. Discounted fee for students is $25 per session; both sessions, $40 (you must show your ID at check-in). Space is limited. For more information and to reserve your spot, please email hillecd3@gmail.com. Click on Paypal to pay via donation.

Cancellation Policy: The event is non-refundable and you must pay and sign up prior to the day of the event. There will be an alternative date set if the weather is bad enough to prevent us from being outside on the day of the shoot.

This is a fundraiser for the Happy Dog Ranch Foundation so your fees are 100% tax deductible. We would ask that you give the ranch one or two full resolution digital copies of your best shots to potentially use in their marketing materials. If used, you will be given a photo credit.

This will be our last photo op of the year.

FAQ:

What should I wear? This is a working horse ranch so dress appropriately. You will be walking through muck on uneven paths that could be icy. Wear appropriate footware -- no sandals or open-toed shoes. Waterproof boots are highly recommended. If you plan to kneel, wear long pants that you are okay with getting dirty.

Will I be allowed in the enclosures with the animals? No -- for your safety and the safety of the animals, you will not be allowed inside the enclosures with them. However, the horses will be let out to graze so you can get shots of them in the open. You will also have a wide variety of angles to shoot from all around the enclosures so you should have no difficulty getting some good unobstructed shots.

What gear should I bring? There are a wide variety of shooting options, so bring as many lenses as you have, wide angle and telephoto would work well, also macro for some great detail shots of gear. Tripods are okay, flash should not be used when shooting the animals but is fine when shooting anything inanimate.

Is there a place to store my gear? Your car will be parked in an open field on the ranch so you can lock your unneeded gear in your car. There is also a cabin where you can leave your gear. The ranch is not responsible for lost or stolen equipment.

Can I shoot the volunteers and workers? Yes, all the volunteers and workers have agreed to being photographed during the event. If you wish to publish, however, you should still follow your procedures and get a model release from the person. As most publications will require a signed release form.

Can I sell and or publish the photos I take? Yes, but we do ask that you acknowledge that the photo was taken at the Happy Dog Ranch and mention that it is a non-profit looking for donations.