Dryhead 2025 models and photographers. From L to R: Phyllis Burchett, Kathy Borgne, Cordelia Edwards, Rebecca Bonno, Sara Goodnick, Guilio Vitton, Howdy Hahn, Matthew Duke, Kim Beer (Me!), Jessie Hahn, Cara Taylor Swift, Trudy Walden, Jake Hahn, Deb Austen, Lara Bassett, Becky Finney, James Hahn, Shelly Chaffin, Cassidy Hahn, Lana Robinson, Ann Slaughter, Porter Duncan, Marian Kalka

Tuesday Morning

Anticipation.

It is thick in the cool dark air this morning; greater than most Tuesdays should experience. Misty rain has gathered along with the photographers under the overhang that shades the bunkhouse. During the hot days of July this area is a sanctuary from the heat because you can’t hide from summer even in the Pryor Mountains. This morning, however, this space is a buzz with wonder.

Will the rain come harder or dissipate?

Do I have enough memory cards?

Where is my rain gear?

The first day of any photography workshop is typically filled with questions. Rain adds another dimension to the dilemma.

Rain gear becomes a topic of conversation. Cara runs back to our cabin to get the trash bags that offer shelter to our suitcases in the bed of the truck when we three travel together and there isn’t room in the cab for everything.

The sound of an engine starting ups the anticipation ante. The Suburbans are ready to receive their passengers. Photographers jockey for their seats. We are on our way.

As the undulations of the red road roll us closer to our morning location, the conversation turns to the road itself. It was graded just a few days ago. This uncommon luxury is benefit of a grader driver who advocated for and arranged to come as far as the ranch which is 35 miles from the nearest town. This part of the road, and a long stretch between the last gate and the Dryhead gate, is on reservation land. County road guys grading reservation roads is a sticky subject out here. Kristen, our driver and youngest daughter of ranch manager, Jennifer, tells us of a time when the ranch cook wooed the grader driver with a home cooked meal and overnight accommodations. This was enough back then to grade this far out. Today, it is more about neighborly kindness and for that we are all thankful.

We park at the crest of a rise that shows how wide the valley below stretches into the horizon — and how long that road grader’s day must have been. Thirteen photographers climb out of the Suburbans. There is laughter when the third row sitters are forgotten for a moment. “Hey we’re back here,” someone calls out. Gear is shuffled, doors are opened and closed, pockets filled, lenses wiped off, cards inserted.

Jake, on Burt, and Guilio, on Vicky, leading Pretty Boy’s band to the photographers. 

This morning’s rain has left moody clouds to skulk in the sky. They create both a challenge and an opportunity in the making of images. The light is not easy, but it is worth coaxing. ISO becomes the leverage and how far to push becomes the give and take in the moment. The herd settles and photographers find their way into the quiet scene.

Rain saturates the colors as deeply as it saturates your clothes. It has soaked in this morning, thickening the mud at our feet and the deepness of the grass greens, the sage blues, the red in the soil that cements the rocks in the cliffs. It seeps into the colors of the horses and the leather of the saddles. It darkens manes along with the clouds.

This dun mare’s vivid lineback caught my eye. Her summer coat’s short hairs reveal its details and the cloudy day saturates the deep brown color to make it even more vibrant and clear.

No shoot at Dryhead would be complete without two essential elements (beyond the horses and cowboys of course!), ranch kids and Jake. Each ranch kid, and most adults for that matter, is equipped with their own dog — and the dogs know exactly who their partner is and, in general, only really listen to that one person.  They are never far from their horse and rider combo and they love when we have the riders lope their horses and they can enthusiastically run alongside.

The kids also love to show off their dog’s unique skill sets — which is highly encouraged by the photographers. From jumping up into the saddle when they are mounted to posing alongside their kids, the dogs never disappoint.

James, the youngest of the Hahn clan, plays with his dog as camera shutters whirl with enthusiasm. His horse, Lightining, stands by.

Jake, Dryhead Ranch lead cowboy and husband of head cowgirl, Jessie, is also always up for entertaining — and startling — photographers.

He playfully chides us with “Don’t forget to push the button!” and, when asked to lope up to us, barrels toward us at a run and slides his horse to a stop sending Montana earth flying and less than trusting photographers scattering. It’s all in great fun and laughter is his goal. We all oblige and ask him to “Do it one more time,” which is the constant mantra of our group while we’re on location.

We’ve said “One more time” so many times, this crew made us tee-shirts with the slogan on it. “One more time five times,” is a statement Jessie has coined over the years.

As the photographers settle into their settings, scenes begin to emerge — a lope across the ridge; the herd moving toward and away and around us; riders dismounting and posing at the direction of a photographer. Friendships begin to form; names and stories are written into memory; the beauty of horses and nature is captured in pixels and hearts.

Guilio lopes Vicky across the dark horizon.

Tuesday Evening and Wednesday Morning

Rain is not the problem, it holds no camera hostage that has access to a plastic bag. Lightning, however, is a threat and, after a lot of risk assessment, we decide not to photograph Tuesday Evening and set a late start of Wednesday morning.

Jessie’s boots brighten up the mood of the muddy day.

We begin with the lovely Cordelia. Like all our models, Cordelia is a horsewoman first. This is her third year modeling for us. One of the best parts of our job at Cowgirls with Cameras is watching the models that come through our lives year after year as they grow. Cordelia has moved from being good with a horse to being an amazing trainer with a bright future. She has also advanced her skill as a model.

Because our models are not runway type models, the act of being photographed by a paparazzi crowd of 13 photographers can be uncomfortable at first. It’s easier when you’re doing your job — moving horses, riding behind a herd of cattle, interacting with your favorite mount from the cavvy. When you’re posing, however, things can feel strange at first. Am I doing this right? I hope I don’t look stupid. Wait, what do I do with my hands? After a few years, however, horsewomen gain comfort in front of the camera and Cordelia, along with our other models, slide right into it with grace and ease.

The black background portrait is a staple in the equine and Western photographer’s tool kit and photographers at our events almost always get an opportunity to create these types of images. Sometimes, like today, it’s humans only. Other times, it will include a horse. This technique isolates the subject in either a fully black or darkened background, giving power and presence to the model. Adding accoutrement such as a bridle along with western clothing make the resulting image more interesting and tell more of the story of the subject. This tack room is a gathering place on the ranch — a place where you would find a horsewoman looking out into the corrals, which are just to her right, to pick a horse to bridle today. She just might not be as clean as she is for our cameras, lol!

This past year, Cara, Phyllis, and I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Kittel with Schaefer Outfitters, a clothing company that designs and produces clothes for working farmers and ranchers. Much of the wardrobe in this year’s Cowgirls with Cameras Dryhead Ranch Photographers Retreat feature clothing from their collection. I encourage you to visit their website at https://schaeferoutfitter.com/

As the models each come forward in turn to take their place in the doorway of the small tack shed, each photographer gets to know them a little better. Mannerisms, personality, and rapport are noted in turn and everyone becomes more comfortable with each other. Names are engrained in the memories of the photographers and models alike. Friendships begin to form and creativity becomes a collaborate effort.

Cassidy’s rodeo friend, Daisy, steps up to model.

Jessie, the cowgirl we’d all like to be someday.

Jake proudly wears his Hahn brand jacket decorated with a leather collar tooled by Cassidy.

Whenever a group of photographers is gathered and models are doing their thing in front of the lenses, there is also a “behind” the scenes. I always tell participants to turn around once they have their shots because there is more to the story everywhere. This morning is no exception to this advice.

Emma plays with her dad’s chink fringe. She is happily muddy now that she has done her modeling gig.

Quiet moments where the humans are busy with their human business means equines can enjoy each other’s company. Here two cavvy members participate in mutual grooming.

Iris Bassett, the grand matriach and owner of the ranch, joins us for a while. At 97, she can look out on the generations of her family who live and make a living on the ranch business she helped found.

Howdy’s dog is happy and comfortable snuggling into the chinks of his boy.

By mid-day our feet are seeking relief from standing and our bellies are grumbling for some good, home cooked food. Kiesha and Katrina, the cooks, have been hard at work on lunch and everyone welcomes the opportunity to sit around the tables in the cookhouse and talk about the afternoon plans. We decide on a short break, and then to go photograph the cavvy as they returned to pasture. After, we’ll head over to photograph heifers against the red Montana cliffs to the south and west of the ranch.

Wednesday Afternoon

Cavvy horses make a break for the pasture, happy to be out of the corrals for the day.

Of course, after the herd has made its way past us, we have to take a few moments to photograph riders against the backdrop of the Pryors which are paying hide and seek with us behind the clouds today.

Matthew, who has been with the Dryhead since 2021, lopes by photographers on the pretty palomino mare, Rona.

Our next destination takes outside the first ranch gate and then West to the red cliffs where the ranch keeps their heifers. Here these young cows spend their days grazing and growing. Soon, they will become mothers and then join the larger herd. For now, however, they are enjoying their teenage years, and like teenage humans, they can be sassy and unpredictable. The crew gathers them for us. It is fun to watch their energy and curiousity as they form into a herd. 

This image shows how vast this country really is — the cows look so small against the big sky and I am reminded that they, and I, are part of such a large expanse of nature.

We stop for a short shoot as the crew brings the heifers up through a valley. It would be easy to get lost in this spot — to keep shooting until the light drifts away. There are vistas literally everywhere and it’s hard for us to put our cameras down and load up in the trucks to go on to the red cliffs. But opportunity is calling and we must answer.

Matthew and his dog take a break and allow the cows to settle. Jake holds the herd in the background.

Once the photographers see the red cliffs, all doubt disappears about why we chose to pack up and go farther down the road. The red cliffs here are so unique and they really contrast with the black heifers as they move in a herd, quietly driven by the experienced Dryhead crew. In ranching, it’s important to be able to quietly handle cattle. Low stress, peaceful and calm makes for safe and easy droving. The images we capture here demonstrate this and it looks exactly as it does when there are no photographers around — simple, peaceful, progress.

Braden and Lara, on Bay Babe, along with Daisy, on Mr Big, and Matthew, on Rona, move the heifers against the backdrop of the red cliffs of the Dryhead Ranch.

Braden and Gray trail the heifers.

Not always, but sometimes, we are lucky enough that the crew will do some ranch style roping for us. To be honest, most of the time it doesn’t take much coaxing to get the lassos to leave their keepers — and today we don’t even have to ask. A heifer that Jake wants a closer look at is singled from the herd and the cowboys move in to rope her.

After the heifer is caught and released, Howdy takes a chance on a cowback ride. Hamming it up for the photographers is part of the fun. The heifer is less than bothered by her rider and simply walks off until Howdy slides off her back and then she rejoins the herd.

Lara sets up to make the heel catch.

A ranch dog relaxes in the grass, staring up at his equine compadre.

For the second year, we are treated to Guilio as a model. Guilio is 17 and from Italy. He is here on the Dryhead to learn by working. He fits so smoothly into the family and the ranch, it’s hard to imagine he lives so far from here. At the end of the summer, he will go back to his homeland. I have a feeling everyone here will miss his soft sense of humor and enthusiasm for horses and the work of the ranch.

Guilio prepares to mount up and head back to the ranch central after the evening shoot is complete.

Thursday Morning

With the rain cleared, we are able to return to a more normal shooting schedule. This morning, we are off to shoot the cavvy. This is a favorite of everyone who comes to this retreat. Even after six years, it is still thrilling and inspiring to be here for this part of the event. It is something I look forward to all year. 80 horses running across a meadow with the Pryor Mountains as the backdrop? Yes! Please! More!

One of the most unique things about Dryhead Ranch is their cavvy and the way the crew here is able to move this large group of horses in a very precision way. We work with a lot of ranches and all of them are great with their horses. The Dryhead, however, shines at just how perfectly they can put this herd in just the right spot to capture the whole herd in amazing morning light. It is so awesome, we always spend two mornings in this meadow with the cavvy. No one is bored by the repetition in the slightest and even repeat particpants relish the experience.

Jake, ever the opportunistic horse trainer, brings a pony horse along on all the shoots this year. “I want them to get used to the activity,” he says. All good horsemen know that miles and wet saddle blankets are the best way to train a horse. These young horses that tag along with their more experienced herd mates get an opportunity to see this unique experience while not being concerned with their rider. Learn by doing and experiencing — it is a great plan and we will see these horses doing the leading in a future shoot, educating a youngster just as they were educated.

The horses are at first hidden in the valley of two rises. In the morning air, we begin to hear whoops and hollars. Then the sound of hooves shake our eardrums and speed up our hearts. The sound that 80 horses make as they pick up speed into a run is thrilling in a way you have to experience. Cameras raise, the photographers all fall quiet, anticipation buzzes about us, settling on our shutter buttons as we scan through our lenses for the horses to appear.

And then there they are — running, manes flying, lit on fire by the sunlight chasing them across the horizon. Shutters and hoofbeats fill the air.

The herd passes us and we are treated to an entirely different view, this time with the Pryors as a backdrop, lit up by the sunlight the horses just ran through.

After the dust settles from several more runs both backlit and front lit, we ask the wranglers to allow the horses to settle. The herd, the mountain backdrop, and the gorgeous light combine to create an incredible sight. I allow my camera to hang at my side as I take a moment to absorb the scene in front of me into memory. How does it get better than this? I say to myself. I live a blessed life for sure. Around me, I can feel a similar energy from the other photographers as they begin to move in closer to capture more intimate portraits of the cavvy members.

The photographers take a moment to move into the cavvy for a chance to capture intimate equine photos.

As the morning progresses, the energy shifts into a quietness. The horses graze peacefully, cowboys and photographers alike take a break from the high energy morning gather and herd work. Everyone connects with the world around them, their horses, their cameras, and the fresh mountain air.

James had gotten off his horse, Ashley Pony, over by the cavvy and taken a little nap on the ground. His horse, curious about his stillness, checkedin on him regularly. Of course, savvy photographers picked up on this cuteness and asked that James come closer and repeat his poses in front of the herd. Both he and his horse were happy to comply.

As we continue to enjoy the herd and the moment, Emma and Lilly emerge from the Suburban. Their mother, Kristen, who is manages the office at the Dryhead and thus the arrangements for our and many other visits to the ranch, helps some of us set up an opportunity to get images of these two adorable young souls amidst the purple, yellow and sage green of the mountain meadow.

There’s not much cuter than a baby Corgi!

As the light rises and swe are reminded we haven’t yet had breakfast, we make the decision to move back down to the ranch central for food and an opportunity to look through the images we’ve made on this amazing morning. The crew offers us one last chance to photograph the herd in motion as they move them back out to pasture. We, of course, enthusiastically accept.

The wranglers move the horses toward the gate where we are waiting on the other side to capture their run back out to pasture.

Set back to their own devices, the horses move more slowly as they make their way out to graze.

Thursday Evening

There had been much debate on a couple of shoot locations to fill in our evening sessions. We had actually decided to roll the dice and simply say we’d shoot the stallion Fred’s (AQHA name Smokin Colonel Jet)  band wherever they were. We got really lucky and a couple of riders out checking stock had found the band and placed them in a small enclosure known as “The Pond.” This was a time saver as the herd had quite a lot of area to roam in.

Equine photographers always perk their ears up like a horse hearing the feed room door open when someone says anything that might remotely mean water.  We’ve learned, however, on the Dryhead Ranch, water is a fleeting and often not what we might have hoped for. When Jessie told us Fred’s band was in the Pond Pasture, we didn’t get too excited. Even when we pulled up on the scene, we didn’t think it would turn out to be much. The location, however, offered us some really pretty long views of the landscape and the mountains, so we decided we’d stay here and shoot. 

Cara, Phyllis, and I walked down to a fun little open ravine with a very small waterfall. We discussed shooting around the area and then decided it wasn’t likely a safe option since it was deep and there wasn’t really a way out should someone fall in. I used to not worry so much about drop offs like this. For the most part, horses have a pretty good sense of self-perservation and we can, hopefully, explain to the photographers to stay away from risky edges. And then I watched a horse (at a non-Cowgirls with Cameras event), who was being a bit of doofus, fall off a large rock formation in front of our photographers. He was okay, but it was scary and now I worry more than I once did.

We decided to shoot in the Pond Pasture first and then have the riders move the band out in front of the stunning vistas on the East side of the enclosure. 

Fred’s band, who had been waiting for us in the Pond Pasture, line up on the dam of the pond to give us a magnificent fresh vista of the Pryors while reflecting in the water.

Once in the Pond Pasture though, we discovered the somewhat lackluster pond turned out to be amazingly beautiful in images. This is a lesson I’ve learned often — what looks blah in person can make stunningly beautiful images when perspective and framing come into play. It teaches us that we need to look deeper — sus out the beauty. The photographers get excited right away once they pick up their cameras and look through the viewfinder. At first, I wasn’t really interested in walking through the tall grass to the pond, but at Cara’s urging that I “won’t be disappointed” I went for the walk — and, she was right, I was not disappointed!

Band stallion, Fred, checks back to make sure all his mares are accounted for and no one was left behind when the band exits the Pond Pasture. Good minded band stallions like this both take care of their mares and allow the cowboys to direct them.

One of the foals in Fred’s band.

Lara, Kristen, and Jessie move the band for us.

Cassidy and her horse lope toward the photographers.

Kristen and Pilgrim watch over the herd while other riders take turns loping down the two track for the photographers.

Matthew and Mable move Fred’s band lit up but the sun from the side. The distant background adds such dramatic interest.

Friday Morning

The last shooting morning of any Cowgirls with Cameras experience is always a bit bittersweet. We are tired and road weary and ready to go home — and at the same time, we never want to leave the scenery, commradare, and the friends we have made. You never know what the next year might bring, so each shoot becomes one to be cherished. 

James, his pony horse, and Maddie lope across the sunrise silhouette spot against a dramatic sky.

Matthew, Porter and their dogs make a great line of silhouettes against the high drama clouds of sunrise.

After silhouette time, we move back into the meadow where we shot yesterday morning. Today, Kristen is riding Reba. Normally, Kristen drives us, but last night and this morning she turned over that duty to Braden so she can model. While we’re waiting for the riders to gather the horses, Kristen keeps us entertained. The back light and side light are both beautiful and we all have a moment to get our settings just right and locked in before the cavvy appears. Plus we get dreamy photos of Kristen and Reba in the process!

After the cavvy makes a few passes for us, the sky calls for us to take out our wide angle lenses and “assume the line” to capture the drama that only wide angle shooting can create. Wide angle is always so fun — all of us lying on our bellies while horses lope so close to us we can smell the horse sweat and feel the breeze of their hooves.

Wide angle takes trust on all parts — photographers, riders, and horses. The only ones who seem not to notice the closeness are the dogs who joyfully run with their masters as they pass in front of us.

Jessie and Stripper are powerful and beautiful as they lope in front of the photographers.

Matthew, Rona, and his dogs look so dramatic in wide angle against the big Montana sky.

After the wide angle shooting line, we move to a participant favorite — wide angle roping. 

Back at that first retreat where Kristen and I met, I had her rope me while I was sitting on the ground with my wide angle. This fun capture is always so cool because it kinda makes the viewer feel like they are being roped! I remember when I made the request of Kristen the first time, she looked at me like I was crazy. Now, she tells the story of how she felt concerned to be throwing her rope and me and my expensive cameras! It all works out through and it makes for great photos.

At first, Reba isn’t into the stand still and rope request. She’s a cowhorse after all and expects the subject being roped to be moving. Kristen works with her for a bit and she settles into it. Porter and Matthew also get in on the action and soon there are multiple ropers roping photographers all around the meadow.

Porter sends his rope over me and my camera as his dog looks on.

Matthew and his dogs wait for photographers to finish with the model they’re photographing so we can all head back together.

Once the wide angles are put down, the cowboys and cowgirls work with us on a variety of scenes that demonstrate the Western lifestyle. Opening gates, fixing fence, interacting with ranch dogs and more are set up and documented.

Something not always seen on the ranch is a horse with a flag loping across the pasture. We know our participants appreciate a good patriotic photo though and Phyllis has brought her flag out here the last few years. Today, Matthew carries it in front of the herd. It’s always fun to watch the cavvy stand at attention when they see the flag. We all laugh as this year some of the horses take such an interest that they begin to follow Matthew and Rona as they carry the flag. Horses are so curious!

Matthew and his dogs make a stunning images as they fly across the meadow carrying the flag while the cavvy stands at attention.

Porter’s dog loves him!

Friday Afternoon

Some crossed wires on shot requests find us doing a rare afternoon, full light shoot with the cavvy in the corrals. This light, direct and full, is not easy light, but like that moody light the first morning, it’s worth working in. It’s good for all of us as photographers to practice shooting in all types of light because the story doesn’t just happen during the golden hour!

Porter seems to have made a friend and follower.

A good horseman is beloved as much as he is respected by his horses. Matthew shows us both principles.

Friday Evening

The final shoot of this year’s event is in our traditional last shoot location — the canyon near the Buffalo Jump. It is in this place that the Indigenous People once drove bison over the rim of the canyon as a hunting practice. This would supply the tribe with food, hides for shelter and clothing, and a host of other needs to thrive in the vast harshness of the Montana landscape.

For us today, the canyon is backdrop to a stunning herd of horses running under a dramatic sky. This location is always a favorite of our photographers. This evening the horses are extra fiesty, perhaps they know it is the last shoot; perhaps they are just enjoying the cooler breeze that the clouds has brought with them into the moment. Regardless, they give us a great show for our last session of this Dryhead Ranch Photographer’s Retreat.

Tomorrow, we will leave here, each going our own way with new memories and friendships. The images we have made the last few days will stand in testament of what we have witnessed and they stories we have shared. Another great event at the Dryhead comes to a close.

The cavvy runs toward us past the Buffalo Jump. 

Look at that smile! Louanna loves to be horseback.

Sara Goodnick photographs the cavvy as they graze in the canyon.

Howdy keeps the herd in line.

They Dryhead crew (minus Jessie who was back at the ranch central preparing for next week’s guests) From L to R: Braedon Grant, Aspen Grant, Louanna Bassett, Lara Basset, Cordelia Edwards, Howdy Hahn, Gulio Vitton, Jake Hahn, Jennifer Cerroni, Maddie Hahn, Matthew Duke, Cassidy Hahn, Porter Duncan, James Hahn.

 ~ Until we meet again, Happy Trails ~