Our brand new “She Shoots” series of workshops is launching in 2027. These have been created as a place to connect, to learn, and to create with fellow women photographers, and are led by three of our fantastic female pros, Kathy Lichtendahl, Talor Stone and Lisa LaPointe.
To get a sense of what these workshops will offer, we spoke with them about what they’re most looking forward to in leading a women-only experience.
Can you recall a conversation or experience that made you believe there was a place for a women-only workshop?
Talor: A couple of years ago, a workshop in Svalbard had the good fortune of being nearly all women, including the instructors, with my colleague Ceci Costa. The entire trip’s energy was different! The group had fabulous support and camaraderie, along with more laughs than we could count. It was clear that this amazing energy wasn’t just because we were lucky to have a good group of people; it was because, in a predominantly female space, the full personalities of all of us truly came out to shine. It was one of my favorite workshops I’ve had the pleasure of running!
What excites you most about leading a women-only workshop?
Kathy: I love leading photo workshops for every audience, but I have had the opportunity to participate in women-only events in the past and I have seen something magical happen when a gathering is limited to females. Nature photography, in particular, was considered the purview of men for many years and even though that thinking has been changing for the last couple of decades, there is still sometimes a hesitancy by women to assert themselves in a mixed gender workshop for fear of appearing uneducated in the technology or subject matter. I love seeing the confidence of participants grow over the time we are together in the field.
Lisa: Photography has historically been a male-dominated space, and studies and surveys suggest it remains so today, making it harder for women to connect with female role models. I’ve heard it mentioned several times on co-ed workshops that female participants wished there were an option for a women-only workshop. The idea, of course, is not to exclude men, but rather to create a place for women to find inspiration among like minds and feel more seen.
Talor: I’m really looking forward to the sense of camaraderie that always seems to accompany a women-only space. While women are entering the outdoor photography space more and more, we still tend to be underrepresented out in the field. I think it will be truly magical to foster a welcoming learning environment for women to grow, learn, and form connections together while out in nature.
Talor, you mentioned that women can sometimes feel underrepresented in outdoor photography. Have there been moments in your own journey when you've felt that?
Talor: Of course I have noticed myself being the only woman in the room pretty frequently throughout my career. But, more importantly, I’ve heard this from my workshop guests. I have had so many guests on trips share that they were thankful to have a female instructor or that perhaps working with me was the first time they’ve been able to learn from a female guide. I think this underrepresentation is felt in ways that are difficult to appreciate until you have the chance to experience something different.
What kind of dynamic will you be hoping to create?
Kathy: The group dynamic seems to take care of itself when a bunch of women gather for a common cause. The participants that sign up for this workshop have already made clear their interest in and curiosity of the natural world. The discoveries that take place during our time together just seem to strengthen the bonds that form from doing something we all love in a wild and beautiful location.
Lisa: I hope to create a collaborative environment free from judgment, where women are comfortable asking questions, experimenting and taking risks with their photography. I want women to feel they belong in the photography space, and to overcome any self-doubt or self-censorship they might have experienced. I hope they come away from the workshop feeling more relaxed, creative, playful and inspired. I also want it to simply be fun!
Talor: My goal is to keep our trip uplifting and supportive from start to finish! While of course that’s the goal for all workshops, on this trip in particular I really want to focus in on celebrating little victories and building confidence when it comes to each participant pursuing their own unique creative vision.
Did female mentors play a role in your own development as a photographer?
Lisa: I have been inspired by the work of many female photographers over the years, and a few I’ve become close enough to to ask questions and seek guidance. I think it’s natural to want to seek out those who have had similar experiences and have walked a similar path. Several of these women have become friends with whom I’ve exchanged ideas and received encouragement and support.
Why do you think dedicated spaces like this can be valuable—even for experienced photographers?
Kathy: There is no substitute for singular focus on a subject like nature photography for a specific amount of time. By having someone else in charge of route finding, driving, making meals and setting the schedule, participants are free to concentrate all their energy on making the best images they can find in the environment. A real bonus is being able to bounce ideas and images off others with the same passion for the subject matter.
I’ve seen photographers wait until they can get the instructor alone to ask a question they are worried about posing in front of the whole group for fear of appearing uneducated. Sometimes that means the moment has passed for them to get the shot they wanted.
Lisa: Women-only spaces allow for exploration of themes and subject matter that differs from male-dominated views, and provide the opportunity for women to tell their own stories. In addition, shared experiences in the field foster a sense of community that often lasts well beyond the workshop.
Talor: There’s no denying that women are fierce and capable of anything they put their heart into. However, unfortunately, it’s often the case that female voices can get drowned out, particularly in a male-dominated space. This is true for beginners just as much as it is for pros, and I can personally attest that I often find myself censoring my more ‘out of the box’ thoughts for fear of being judged…or even for no good reason at all! Sometimes it can just be hard to speak up. But I also know from personal experience that something magical happens when a group of supportive women gets together. Suddenly, it just feels like there’s more space to explore diverse ideas and to experiment with photography, even if it looks or seems silly.
Kathy, what is it about the Beartooths that make it a perfect location for a women-only workshop?
Kathy: The Beartooth Plateau is a stunningly beautiful, rugged environment that provides numerous opportunities for photographing a variety of landscapes and wildlife. The terrain is such that participants can explore a wide range of possibilities, from vast vistas to more intimate scenes. The variety allows photographers to experiment with what comes in a way that might not be possible in a more singularly focused workshop. We are based out of an historic guest ranch near our daily destinations where we will eat our meals family style, making for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to gather each day for critiques and conversation.
Are there any particular photographic skills you think participants will develop during the week?
Kathy: Because of the incredible range of subject matter and conditions in the Beartooths, we will shoot many different styles and techniques. We all know you can’t carry everything with you so one of the greatest skills I think participants take away is learning to make the best use of the equipment they have on hand. Sometimes that means using a wide angle lens to photograph wildlife in the landscape or using a telephoto lens to capture an intimate landscape shot.
Talor, Death Valley is a place we return to in different ways—what makes this women-only version of the workshop feel distinct?
Talor: I’ve always thought of Death Valley as a marvelous location to visually explore concepts like the ‘feminine landscape.’ There’s something about the soft pastels, the multitude of layers, the soft curves of the sand dunes, and the quietness of little scenes hiding in plain sight all around. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather lead a group of fearless, badass women!! This workshop will hit the classic highlights, no doubt, but we will also spend an abundance of time exploring the quieter, more creative sides of what Death Valley has to offer, going deep into the subtleties that are less about the postcard shots and more about the wondrous feeling of nature’s timeless majesty.
What advice would you give to a woman who loves photography but doesn't always feel confident sharing her ideas or images with others?
Talor: I’d say that whether you’re in a female-led space or a mixed audience, you should never let that dim your shine! Women should be bold about taking up space in this world and I hope these She Shoots workshops will go a long way towards building that foundational confidence that women can carry into all other aspects of their lives.
Any final thoughts for ladies considering a women-only group for the first time?
Kathy: Don’t think that “women-only” means “watered down”. That is definitely not the case. We will have full days of shooting and exploring, sharing and laughter. The Beartooths provide an amazing canvas and I can’t wait to see what participants create there!
Talor: My final note is a selfish one because I’m honestly looking forward to this workshop for myself, too! I am so excited to feel energized by all the women around me and to have the creative space to explore new ideas in a place I’ve visited countless times. I truly expect this trip to be a highlight of the year for me!
Lisa: If you’re wondering whether a woman-only workshop is for you, why not give it a try?
If this sounds like the kind of experience you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you—feel free to get in touch with any questions.
Talor and Lisa will kick off the She Shoots series of workshops with our She Shoots — Death Valley workshop, February 22–27, 2027. Kathy and Lisa will then lead She Shoots — Beartooth Mountain Ranch, September 24–30, 2027.
