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Best experience, best value, small group Caddo Lake Workshop

Well, almost all inclusive. You have to pay for your own alcoholic beverages and any special dietary items that don't match up with Southern cooking.

Here is what is included:

• Airport pickup and drop off if your arrival and departure times fall within a prescribed window.  You don't need your own transportation unless you are staying over extra time or arriving after our window for arrival.
• All lodging with wifi (not always great). Most of the time we will be staying in a large guest house close to the lake to maximize photography time and avoid the half hour drives from larger towns.
• Canoe or kayak rentals for up to three sessions (one sunrise, two afternoon, evening). There are advantages to each.
• Three piloted boat trips including tips. 
• Park fees.
• All meals. We usually eat a late breakfast or early lunch after our morning session. Ample refreshments first thing in the morning and between meals will be provided. Our late breakfasts will generally be down home Southern breakfasts from nearby "cafes". Evening meals will be Southern fried foods (or burgers) for one meal, one steak barbecue (a huge hit in 2023) and a couple of excellent meals in the nearby town of Jefferson.
• I do not accept monetary tips but happily learn from you when you have any photography tips to give.

Note that adverse weather conditions may affect our schedule. If this happens, we will try to complete the same activities in the best weather. If some piloted boat trips are impossible, you will receive a refund for the captain's fees and tip.

GROUP 1  SCHEDULE CORRESPONDS TO SCHEDULE BELOW - Cancelled due to time conflicts.

GROUP 2- SCHEDULE CORRESPONDS TO SCHEDULE BELOW

Day 1 NOV 7 DFW pickup, transportation, initial session

Days 2 thru 5 - NOV 8-11 Guided sessions, boats, kayaks, canoes, shoreline

Day 6 NOV 12 DFW drop off by noon; note that if all attendees leave after 3 pm we may be able to add one more morning of shooting on this last day.

DAY 1 - PICKUP AT AIRPORT 

DINNER AND CONVERSATION on way from airport; We will be using either DFW or Shreveport after discussing with all participants who sign up by March 31, 2023. DFW would mean lower cost for most, no layover, fewer connection issues, longer drive time).

DRIVE TO LODGING, CHECK INTO ASSIGNED ROOMS

8-8:45 PM - SWAMP PHOTOGRAPHY WITH TRIPOD INSTRUCTIONAL SESSION; tips and samples.

DAY 2-5, PLANNED SESSIONS

2 daily shooting sessions including
2 shoreline, dock sessions where we will spend more time with long exposures
2 or three 3 planned canoe or kayak sessions (kayaks will be also be available in your free time) 
3 piloted boat sessions

Daily instructional session and image review.

Snack bags and water daily 
Daily brunch around 10 am
Daily dinner before or after evening session (about 3 pm or 6:30 pm); Note the time change on Nov 3 means dinners will be the later time.
Plenty of snacks.

DAY 6

TRANSPORTATION TO AIRPORT- We will be leaving at a time that will get everyone to the airport 2 hours before flight time. Please do not schedule flights from DFW until after 1:30 pm. It is a little over a three hour drive from DFW to our location. If you are flying to and from Shreveport, we will arrange an UBER for you.
Breakfast prior to leaving for DFW. 

This workshop is recommended for photographers who have a moderate or better understanding of their camera operations. You should be able to adjust your own camera settings. Participants should have a level of fitness and balance which will make canoeing easier, although paddling around is not particularly difficult. You are likely to paddle less than one mile over a two hour period. While a great deal of freedom can be given to advanced photographers, my preference is to have a group with fairly equal skills so one individual is not demanding of all my time.

Post processing sessions will be given using Lightroom, Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw. If you use a different post processing system you will need to interpret our methods to work with your system.

Participants should not have back issues which can be exacerbated from canoeing and boat rides. One of our boat rides has a maximum weight allowance of 250 pounds, so if you weigh more than this, diet hard so you don't miss this amazing experience.

IF YOU ARE A BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHER, PLEASE CONTACT ME AS I MAY ADD A SECOND 3 DAY SESSION FOR BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS. THIS SESSION WOULD BE MORE BASIC, BOTH WITH CAMERA, COMPOSITION AND POST PROCESSING SKILLS.

Equipment Recommendations - Film or digital format camera and tripod; a minimum length of telephoto of 200 mm is recommended, but you can take great photos with something a bit shorter. Wildlife photo opportunities will improve if you have a lens that is 300 or more millimeters. A full list of recommended equipment and gear will be sent out after receipt of your deposit.

Non-photographer participants. Non-photographer partners may be allowed to share rooms and meals. Your bed size may be limited to a double bed, however. A meals supplement of $500 will be charged. If our vehicle is not large enough to carry all participants and partners, you may have to arrange your own transportation. If a larger vehicle is possible, I will notify you of the additional cost you would need to cover. If you bring a guest, that guest may need to be prepared to read a book or two while we photograph if there is not room for them in our vehicle.

If you look on a map of Caddo Lake, it looks fairly straightforward. It is not! Areas that look accessible are not and areas that don’t look accessible are. You would waste many days and lots of opportunities without our guides and my own knowledge of the area. 

The giant Salvinia grows throughout much of the lake. Our boats can go through the beast and get to locations others can’t. And it’s a blast doing it! Our captains are true giant slayers and you will be too on the sessions when you are paddling your own watercraft, reaching into nooks and crannies as you discover for unique light and and forms...maybe even Bigfoot!

Instructional sessions will include basic techniques for the less experienced in post processing and very advanced techniques for the highly experienced. In other words, the sessions will be planned around the talents of the group and the special applications that are especially useful in swamp image processing.

With the short days and long nights, you will have adequate opportunity for sleep, but we intend to make this so much fun that you will be a bit blissfully tired on your flight home, dreaming of many outstanding images you will be processing in the days to follow.

INCLUDED:

• Workshop fee including all boat fees, captain fees, rentals and any tips.
• State park entrance fees and phtoography workshop fee
• All meals from dinner on first day to breakfast on last day
• Water & snacks
• Lodging Transportation to and from DFW or SHV if within prescribed arrival and departure window (will be coordinated with participants). Recommendations will be made.

NOT INCLUDED: 

• Airfare
• Trip insurance
• Transportation to and from Caddo Lake area outside the prescribed times
• Alcoholic beverages
• Specialty food requirements

I do not accept tips.

A non-refundable $1000 fee (unless your spot is filled) holds your spot. If you cancel 120 days prior to the start of the event, your deposit is fully refundable. If you cancel 90 days or more from the start of the event, your deposit is 50% refundable unless your spot is filled, in which case your deposit is 100% refundable. If you cancel less than 90 days prior to the event your deposit is only refundable if your spot is filled less any advertising costs required to fill your space. 

The fee is $3495 per person for a private bedroom (up to 3 available) and $3295 per person for a shared bedroom (up to four in the loft bedroom). Bathrooms are shared. Non-photographers are welcome to share bedrooms and can go on some, but not all activities and are included in all meals for a reduced rate of $2400. The balance is due 60 days prior to our start date. You will be billed the balance to be paid in advance of sixty days prior to the workshop based on the total in the workshop. There are several events that could cause cancellation of the trip. These include severe illness, severe weather such as flooding or tornadoes, death in your family, and other unpleasant things. For this reason we recommend trip insurance.  

You will be expected to sign a liability release. Yes, you could suffer serious injury or death while on this trip. This is most likely to happen if you do something foolish like stand up just as the boat is going under a low hanging branch. But you could also do foolish things at home, so let's not miss a day of this workshop! In the highly unlikely event you lose an arm to an alligator, we will recover expenses by selling video footage to media outlets. But don't worry, alligators seem to disappear at this time of year.

You may ask why the small group size. Several reasons. The learning and results are more balanced for all the participants. There are boat trips we can take that larger groups can't do. It's easier on the transportation and dinner seating. And adequate housing AT THE LAKE is much more doable with a small group.

If you have questions, please call me at 714/ 292/5238 or use the contact form on this site.

"Every detail seemed to be carefully thought out, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for all participants. The boat excursions were a brilliant touch, adding an extra layer of excitement and uniqueness to the workshop. Cruising along picturesque waters not only allowed for breathtaking views but also created a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere that fueled creativity...Rob's ability to adapt to different skill levels and preferences ensured that each participant left with a deeper understanding of photography and a portfolio of stunning images." B. Villadiego

"Thanks again for leading a great workshop at Caddo Lake last week...very memorable for myself and friends. BTW, I got a couple of awards at the ACCC 'Spring Roundup' last month.  First place in the "Nature" category for the Caddo Egret print, and the "Excellence in Landscape Photography" award for one of the Caddo Lake images."
R Shea

"Priceless experience for me. Thanks." J Eighmy

"Thank you for an amazing experience.   I truly enjoyed my time in Uncertain Tx. (population 85 ).  I thought the photographic opportunities were "otherworldly"  and the opportunity to experience that part of the world was something I can't really describe." M Wright

"Thanks for the great tour in Caddo Lake...look forward to heading back next year!" D Sandquist

"Rob Strain is as educated and dedicated that I have seen in my photography network. Being on location with him, I recognized his passion, yet also his patience with the environment and myself." L Zwak

The 11/7-11/12 is SOLD OUT! This workshop is only open to practicing or retired dentists.

CALL FOR MORE INFO: 714-292-5238.

When making a deposit, please make the payment for the single bedroom supplement at that same time.

Your full balance will be billed 90 days prior to your start date and must be paid 60 days prior to your start date.

If you prefer to mail a check, please notify me so I hold your spot. 

Rob Strain
Wanderlux Photography
1636 Morning Stone Dr
Prescott, AZ 86305