Dates Feb 10–16, 2008
Leaders Darrell Gulin, Jeff Vanuga
and Terry Eggers
Tour leaders listed are added sequentially as group size warrants
Fee $3,695 from The Hideout at Flitner Ranch, Wyoming
Deposit $300
Limit 30
Terms and Conditions

The cowboy life affirms the words of Winston Churchill: “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.” From the moment humans first encountered horses, they have been respected and revered as symbols of freedom and power. Indeed, the relationship of man to these noble beasts has done more to change human history than any other domestic animal. And in America, it is the image of the cowboy, along with his gallant horse, that is the foremost icon of the Wild West.

Unparalleled opportunities to photograph horses thundering through snowy meadows, against dark pine-covered slopes and jagged mountains are just a fraction of the exceptional photographic potential in our 5-day winter photo shoot. Though the horses will be our main focus, we’ll also have outstanding chances to photograph all aspects of cowboy life in winter—model-released cowboys working herds of horses and cattle in snowy landscapes; during hard-charging and
snow-flying action; depicting the adversity of ranch life in winter; and straightforward cowboy portrait sessions! The horses and their cowboys will keep us busy all day long—it’s the equivalent of two shoots in one! Each day there will be an extraordinary range of subjects to please beginners and amateurs, as well as stock and fine arts photographers.

Our setting for this incredible shoot is the magnificent 300,000-acre Flitner Ranch in Shell, Wyoming. The photogenic vistas of this enormous ranch include the craggy Bighorn Mountains, snowy meadows, slickrock cliffs, polychrome painted hills, aspen groves and a rushing river. The ranch is home to 1,200 head of cattle, a rugged
crew of photogenic cowboys, and some of the finest ranch horses west of the Mississippi. Because the ranch has such a broad diversity of accessible land elevations, finding snow for our photography should pose few problems!

Our luxurious ranch accommodations, located at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, consist of a spacious main lodge surrounded by guest cabins. It’s a wonderfully appointed guest ranch for this remote Wyoming location and will keep us warm and cozy between shoots.

After an exciting day in the field you can relax and unwind in the hot tub adjacent to the main lodge while flying snow may swirl around your head! The lower level of the lodge houses a library with an inviting fireplace, a large TV and video equipment, and a billiards room. The main floor hosts the dining room and a wood-burning fireplace—plus spectacular views of the mountains. The top floor is home to the cocktail loft, where guests gather to share stories, review daily digital images, hear photo lectures and discuss plans for the next day.

Join us on this exclusive winter shoot to capture the power and majesty of horses in snowy landscapes, striking images of Wild West buckaroos, and to chronicle the uniquely American flavor of the “Cowboy Way.”



Day 1 (Feb 10)
The Flitner Ranch in Shell, Wyoming, can be reached by car or private plane. The nearest major airport is in Billings, Montana, a 2 1/2-hour drive. Fee-shared ground transportation from Billings to the ranch will be available. Participants should plan to arrive at the ranch by 5 PM. (D)

Days 2–6
We’ve scheduled two incredible horse drives each day of our shoot—utilizing the best light of the morning and evening (overcast conditions may prevail during winter). Depending on available snow conditions, each drive will be in a different area of the 300,000-acre ranch. We’ll photograph extensive action as horses hurtle through flying snow. We won’t forget the human element as we include our cowboys during the horse drives. The cowboys will be working the horses in groups and individually, and will illustrate the harsh conditions associated with a cowboy’s life in winter. Between the action, we’ll offer portrait sessions with the cowboys in their winter gear. The tack and saddle room will be opened up and we’ll have our pick of a variety of photogenic props for detail work, too. This is a chance
to photograph a wide variety of still-life symbols of the American West. There will be plenty of opportunities to shoot tight on hard-charging cowboys as well as to shoot loose, getting the classic shot of the lone cowboy riding homeward through an endless snow-bound plain. (BLD)

Day 7 (Feb 16)
Participants depart after breakfast. Fee-shared ground transportation to Billings, Montana, will be available. (B)





Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.