Welcome to the Desert Getaway

Welcome Friends! I am so excited to host you at this year’s Desert Getaway alongside my cohost, Mariah! This weekend has been a labor of love for us and we cannot wait to watch your creativity go wild. This weekend is going to be jam-packed full of not only fun styled shoots but also time spent at your computer editing, learning new skills, and networking with other photographers. Be prepared to walk away exhausted but the new photos in your portfolio will make it all worth it. 

Let’s treat your creativity!

The retreats I host are designed to let you experiment behind the camera with the models in a judgment-free zone. I will start off by guiding the models into some poses then encourage you all to jump in and guide them as well throughout the session. The retreats are kept small so you will have plenty of time and room to move around and get the shots you want. I am not a formal person so the retreat will not have any structured classroom type setting however I am an open book and willing to answer any questions you have or demonstrate any editing techniques you would like to see upon request.

Some things to know….

  • Our models are real people with their own horses — not professional models. They are comfortable being in front of the camera but posing may not always come naturally . I choose to work with "everyday" people because they allow your potential clients to see themselves in your portfolio easier than if it was a professional model and it also allows for you to practice your posing prompts with real people.  

  • Please note that horses have a mind of their own. They may not want to participate the way we wish, however it is important to stay patient with them and our models as we ask things of them. Safety for models and the horses will come before any poses. 

  • Due to the shoots being outside and my lack of ability to control the weather no matter how hard I try, the schedule of the retreat events are subject to change in case of poor weather. This may mean times or even day of the school may get moved to accommodate the weather and the models. If models are okay with light rain, rain shoots may take place. 

  • We will have shoots in evenings and mornings and will be during traditional meal times so if you need to eat at a certain time for health or hanger issues, please pack a meal or snack for the car. 

  • Transportation to and from the shoots will be provided however if you are joining us for just the shoots, you may drive yourself and I will provide the locations on the schedule for you.

  • Arizona this time of year will be warm. Expect temps in the mid-80-90s during the day and lows in the evening will be in the mid-60-70s. I always suggest having layers not only for when the temps are a little lower but also for sun protection.

What to Pack….

  • Your camera gear 

    • a 70-200, 85, or 135 are your ideal lenses for working with horses however please feel free to bring and work with whatever you have. I personally will also bring a wide angle lens to play with

  • Your computer with plenty of hard drive space

    • I recommend having an external drive ready

  • Plenty of memory cards

    • I recommend making sure they have a fast write speed and I personally use a new card for every shoot

  • Any and all chargers for your gear and extra batteries if you have them

  • Comfortable clothing and footwear you can easily move around in on the shoots that you don’t mind getting dirty/wet

    • I highly recommend getting in water for our river shoot 

    • Remember that we are going to be in the desert and you should dress according to the heat and sun exposure

    • It is encouraged to wear closed, thick soled shoes in the case you step on cactus needles

  • A swimsuit to enjoy the pool and/or hot tub at the resort  

  • Any special personal care items you may need

  • I will provide sunblock and bug spray however if you have a brand you prefer feel free to bring it or we can swing into a store for you to grab it here

Resort Location

Scottsdale Camelback Resort

6302 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

we will have access to all their amenities including the pool, hot tub, mini golf, tennis, etc and there is a full service spa but that is extra — if you want to really treat yourself.

Sharing Photos

Each model has signed a release for you to use images from this retreat in your professional portfolio and on your social media. Images from the retreat may not be sold or used in marketing for any teaching/retreats under your business name or others.

I kindly ask that you share at least 5 photos from each session with the models within a month of this retreat ending if possible. To make it easiest for the models to access the photos I have created a google drive for you to upload to. There will be a folder for each model and under that folder will be a subfolder for each photographer to upload their photos into. Here is the link to that drive when you are ready to upload.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CDlxT9bx2EiSTLXBcBkuRM-PAimNZ-8J?usp=sharing

When sharing on social media I would love if you tag me so I can easily reshare your posts! I am not a stickler on wording but something along the lines of “Equine Photography Desert Getaway by Tisha Pol Photo” would be amazing!

If you have any behind the scenes you would like to share with everyone (phone or professional photos/videos) you can upload them to this link. Mariah and I too will post all the BTS here that we get of you guys.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18QssZxEryDnHHpGbAhpdA6siQ8j7f3qs?usp=sharing

Tentative Schedule

schedule is subject to change over the course of the next couple weeks as things finalize

Thursday 4/24

~7:00a Rachel Arrival

12:30p Maureen and Kristina estimated arrival

1:00p Lunch

2:00p possible hike at Lake Pleasant to see wild donkeys

4:00p Resort Check-In

5:30p Relax + Group dinner + (order in or local sit down restaurant)

Friday 4/25

6:20a Leave for shoot

7:00a BONUS SESSION — "Free Rein”

Model — Jennifer Scanlon, Jennuine Horse Training

Instagram : @jennuinehorse, @river_horse_ranch

Facebook : River Horse Ranch LLC, The Jennuine Horse LLC

Horse — Gaia (grey Warlander), Cali (grey Andalusian), Prada BF (bay PRE owned by Jillian Jacobs), Nova (sooty bay Andalusian), Chico (dun)

Location — River Horse Ranch LLC, 28404 N 55th St, Cave Creek, AZ

10:00a Group editing session or relax at the resort

Mariah and I will be open books for any and all your business questions — we don’t promise to have all the answers and what works for us may not work for you but will be raw and honest with our experiences and we encourage everyone to share their insights as well as we all come from different markets

12:00p Lunch — can either order in or we can go out

3:20p Depart for shoot

5:00p SESSION 1 — “Cosmic Cowgirl”

Model — Allie Hardt

Instagram : @hotmessacres

Facebook : Allison Hardt

Tiktok : @hotmessacres

Horse — Kickstart, AQHA palomino stallion

Location — The Boulders, 32°59'19.0"N 111°06'58.9"W

8:00p Return to Airbnb 

Group dinner ordered to resort or sit down at local place on way to resort

Saturday 4/26

5:00a Depart for shoot

5:30a SESSION 2 — “Saguaro Spring”

Model — Ashlynn Sterusky

Instagram :

Facebook : Ashlynn Sterusky

Horse —

Location —  Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

8:30a Return to resort (Breakfast on way back or at the resort if desired)

10:00a Editing party or relaxation at the resort

12:00p Lunch — can either order in or go out

Lunch while at resort?

3:40p Depart for shoot  

5:30p SESSION 3 — “Horses + Harleys”

Model — Randi Ann + Matt Sippola

Instagram : @randi_ann_marie_

Facebook : Randi Ann Sippola

Horse(s) — Dolly

Location — Private Residence, 33.01217 N, 111.44297 W

8:30p Return to resort (Dinner grabbed on way back or order into resort)

Sunday 4/27

5:00a Depart for shoot 4

5:40a SESSION 4 — “Barrel Betty”

Model — Lindzey Doran

Instagram :

Facebook : Lindzey Doran

Horse(s) — 

Location — Levee Trail

8:00a return to resort — option to get breakfast on way back to resort

10:00a Editing party or relax at resort

12:00p Lunch — order in or go out

3:30p Depart for wild horse hike

4:00p Wild horses 

7:30p Return to resort and cry about it being over LOL

Monday 4/28

times? Airport drop offs

11:00a Check out of resort