Fashion Photography on a Ranch
Class - Photography | Registration opens 2/10/2026 9:00 AM EST
Fashion Shoot on a Ranch is an immersive, four-week photography workshop focused on planning and executing a high-end fashion shoot in a real working ranch environment. Students will learn how to safely and creatively photograph fashion models on and near horses, blending elegance, movement, and storytelling in a dynamic outdoor setting.
Week 1: Preparation and Fashion Shoot Techniques
The workshop begins with planning and visualization. Students will learn how to concept and prepare for a fashion shoot involving live animals, including selecting appropriate hair, makeup, and wardrobe for models, as well as styling considerations and adornments for the horses. We will discuss safety, collaboration with handlers, and how to translate a fashion concept to a ranch setting. Technical instruction will cover camera gear, lenses, recommended settings, and lighting options for location work.
Week 2: Ranch Scouting and Location Walk-Through
In week two, students will visit the working ranch in Pfafftown, NC for a guided scout and walk-through. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating locations, backgrounds, and terrain while identifying the best times of day to shoot. Topics include reading natural light, understanding the direction and angle of the sun, and determining when and why flash or supplemental lighting is beneficial on location.
Week 3: The Fashion Shoot
Week three is dedicated to the live fashion shoot on the ranch. Students will work hands-on with professional models, stylists, and stunning horses, using professional lighting equipment under instructor guidance. Participants will apply concepts learned throughout the workshop, balancing fashion aesthetics with animal presence, natural light, and controlled use of flash to create striking, polished images.
Week 4: Image Review and Critique
The final week focuses on reviewing and critiquing images created during the shoot. Students will present selected work for group discussion and constructive feedback, evaluating composition, lighting, styling, and storytelling. Emphasis will be placed on refining visual choices and understanding how planning and execution come together to produce successful fashion imagery in a challenging, real-world environment.
C. Stephen Hurst
C. Stephen Hurst recently moved to Winston-Salem from New York City where he spent many years as a professional photographer and instructor at the International School of Photography. Hurst is a self-taught photographer who emphasizes connection, anticipation, and communication through his process; some of Hurst’s photography clients have included the Disney Family Foundation, Nike, and Columbia Business School. Hurst holds a B.F.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Learn more about his work at amancalledhurst.com.