On Workshops, Wild Ideas, and New Traditions
Some ideas arrive quietly, like a seed planted in conversation. In October of 2023, my friend Kent Wright, whose Lusitanos I’ve photographed many times, suggested I should think about teaching photography. At the time, I tucked the thought away, not knowing how quickly it would take root.
By the following fall, I found myself hosting my very first two-day photography workshop at Kent’s stunning facility in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, just minutes outside Walla Walla. The setting could not have been more inspiring: rolling vineyards nearby, wide skies, and of course, Kent’s elegant Lusitanos.
The workshop was equal parts education and joy. Watching clients photograph those expressive horses and then seeing their images come to life was incredibly rewarding. And it wasn’t just about horses, Kent and his wife also modelled with their Lusitanos, allowing participants to experiment with lifestyle portraits that told the story of connection as much as movement. We laughed, experimented with light, shared techniques, and spent two days surrounded by beauty, both equine and human.
That weekend marked the start of something new for me. What began as a suggestion has now become a tradition. I’ll be returning in June 2025 for the next Walla Walla workshop, and I look forward to seeing how this community of photographers continues to grow.