2023 az content retreat + sash bash


Before we start advertising for the 2024 AZ Content Retreat + Sash Bash, I had better post this recap of the retreat from October 2023! This one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive retreat was hosted by Lauren Ann Photography (me!) and Jeni Jo Photography in coordination with Brittney Truman at the Arizona Retreat Center in Fort McDowell, AZ. While Jeni and I coordinated all the logistics of the photoshoots for our photographers (we had three other photographers from all over the world - one from Idaho, one from Texas, and one all the way from AUSTRALIA!), Brittney hosted and coordinated the logistics of the Sash Bash, a clinic for current and up-and-coming rodeo queens, which also included coaching and mentoring by the 2023 Miss Rodeo America, Kennadee Riggs, as well as others.


The retreat spanned over 4 days with 25 models and 6 shoots/locations of gorgeous models, both horse and human, from styled cowgirl portraits/headshots to horse and rider portraits to cowboy/cowgirl couples to amazing reining action shots and even black backgrounds! While the majority of our models were at the retreat center for the Sash Bash hosted by Brittney, we also had two couples (including my husband and myself) that we shot at the iconic Gunsight Pass, as well as with Horse and Rider Magazine's 2023 Trainer of the Year Linde von Koding (LvK Performance Horses) and two of her amazing reiners in Scottsdale. She was kind enough to let us borrow a couple other beautiful reiners for our models, Aubrey and Victoria. Our good friend and fellow photographer, Kirsten Ziegler, also modeled with her best boy, Martini. We are beyond thankful to all of our amazing and talented queens and riders who took time out of their busy lives to get in front of our cameras, as well as all of the behind-the-scenes people who helped prepare horses and coordinate. Without all of these people, our retreats like this would not be possible, nor successful!


Due to the huge success of the 2023 retreat and outpouring of interest for a retreat in 2024, WE ARE CURRENTLY PLANNING THE RETREAT FOR 2024! AHHHHH! If you are looking for a retreat with a vast amount of variety (enough to fill your entire portfolio!), learn from and network with other photographers, have experienced models in front of your camera, gain experience posing horses and their riders (one of my favorite things about this retreat was teaching how to "speed pose" due to the amount of models for a couple of the shoots), and also get a little R+R poolside at the gorgeous retreat center, then this retreat is definitely for YOU!


Want to see what other photographers had to say about our retreat? Click here to read more and sign up to be the first to know more!


Friends gather with their horses in western wear on a desert trail during golden hour.
Western-styled group stands with brown and white horses by a tall saguaro cactus.
Desert photoshoot featuring horses and western fashion with saguaro cactus in background.
Two horses graze while friends gather on a scenic mountain lakeshore.
A group gathers with multiple horses on a scenic lakeside beach with mountains in background.
Friends and horses gather along a mountainside lake shore for photos.
A white horse poses with companions by a scenic mountain lake.
A white horse stands with companions against a mountain lake backdrop.
A beautiful white horse poses with companions by a serene mountain lake.

Some of my favorites from the "Fancy Lady Cowgirl" Photoshoot ON LOCATION AT THE ARIZONA RETREAT CENTER

A rider in western attire sits atop a brown horse against a desert landscape bathed in golden sunlight.
A walker in western boots leads a brown horse down a desert path during sunset.
A relaxed moment with a brown horse on a desert trail during golden hour.
A teal dress contrasts beautifully with a chestnut horse against a warm sunset backdrop.
A tender moment between a horse and rider in a light blue outfit during sunset.
A western-styled scene with horse and rider silhouetted against golden desert light.
A dark horse stands next to someone in black western attire on a desert trail.
Close-up portrait with a dark brown horse wearing leather tack against a desert background.
A brown horse and companion in orange dress share a moment in desert sunlight.
A horse and walker share a playful moment against a desert landscape with saguaro cactus.
A brown horse and rider stand in front of a towering saguaro cactus in the desert landscape.
Western style photoshoot with a horse and rider against a desert backdrop with saguaro cactus.
Horse and rider pose together in a desert setting during golden hour with saguaro cacti.
Desert photoshoot featuring a horse and rider with mountains and cacti in the background.
Western fashion shoot in the desert featuring a horse and cowboy hat against a saguaro cactus backdrop.

Our cowboy couples photoshoot at gunsight pass

A couple stands with their horse in front of an old western jail building and cactus.
A horse and couple walk past the historic Bird Cage Theatre in an old western town.
A brown horse in western tack stands outside the Bird Cage Theatre entrance.
A brown horse stands between two people outside the Bird Cage Theatre at sunset.
A gentle moment with a dark horse against a blurred background in black and white.
A horse in western tack poses outside the rustic Bird Cage Theatre building.

the reiners of LVK Performance Horses

Rider in blue shirt performs western riding maneuver on brown horse in desert arena.
Western rider in blue shirt guides horse through desert course with saguaro cactus backdrop.
Horse and rider perform western riding moves against desert landscape with tall cactus.
Western rider guides brown horse through precise movements in desert training arena.
Horse and rider kick up dust during intense western riding maneuver in desert arena.
Western rider and horse kicking up dust while performing a sliding stop in an arena.
Rider on horseback against desert landscape with tall saguaro cactus in background.
Quarter horse and rider performing western riding movements in dusty arena.
Western rider in turquoise shirt riding brown horse in desert training arena.
Equestrian in turquoise shirt riding through desert landscape with saguaro cacti.
Horse and rider executing dramatic sliding stop with dust flying in western arena.
Close-up of brown horse with white blaze wearing western tack.
A brown horse wearing western tack and decorated saddle against a dark background.
Close-up front view of a brown horse's face with saddle and bridle against a black background.
Portrait of a bay horse with bridle against dark background showing refined facial features.
A chestnut horse wearing a decorative western saddle and bridle against a black background.
A majestic brown horse with bridle shown in profile against dark background.
Western rider posing with horse in desert setting during golden hour.
Black and white portrait of rider standing beside horse wearing western gear.
Close-up of boots and horses' legs with reins in dusty arena.
Golden hour western photoshoot with a cowboy hat and boots beside a palomino horse in dusty corral.
Western style outfit with denim and cowboy boots posing next to a brown horse at sunset.
Desert photoshoot with wide-brim hat and flowing white pants alongside palomino horse with cactus backdrop.
Close-up portrait with wide-brim hat next to palomino horse during golden hour.
Dreamy sunset photoshoot with white outfit and palomino horse in sandy arena.
Ethereal western fashion shoot with wide-brim hat and flowing outfit beside palomino horse.
Intimate portrait with horse during golden hour sunset lighting.
Romantic sunset portrait with pale palomino horse in desert setting.
Desert photoshoot with palomino horse and cacti silhouetted against sunset sky.
A tender moment between a person in a floral dress and a pale horse against a desert sunset landscape.
Close up shot of someone resting on a cream colored horse's back during golden hour.
A sunlit portrait with a chestnut horse in the desert setting.

My Favorites from our "coastaL COWGIRL" SUNRISE shoot at saguaro Lake

A beautiful red horse stands beside a rider in denim and black vest near a lake.
A palomino horse with leather bridle stands next to someone in a denim vest.
A dark brown horse grazes near a lake while being led by its companion.
A brown horse grazes peacefully by a lake with desert hills in the background.
A black and white portrait shows a rider resting on horseback against a mountainous backdrop.
A palomino horse stands still while its rider sits bareback in jeans and a studded top.
A palomino horse stands as someone in a red dress and boots poses near its legs.
A palomino horse stands near water while someone in a red dress sits on the shore.
A palomino horse with white blaze poses with its rider in western attire against mountain scenery.
A rider in a western hat stands beside a chestnut horse against a scenic desert backdrop at sunset.
A chestnut horse stands with its companion in a white dress against mountains and a lake.
A majestic chestnut horse with white blaze poses with someone in a white dress against golden scenery.
A rider in a blue dress guides their horse through shallow water with mountains in background.
A joyful equestrian in a blue lace dress sits atop a dark horse in desert terrain.
A relaxed pose on a chestnut horse's back near a desert lake at sunset.

Kennadee Riggs - 2023 Miss Rodeo America

Riding a white horse along a mountainside lake during golden hour.
A peaceful moment atop a white horse by a mountain lake.
A white horse and rider pause in the desert landscape with ocotillo plants.
Desert photoshoot with a white horse among dry brush and mountains.
Western style shoot with a white horse against a desert mountain backdrop.
A person in western wear stands with a white horse in a desert landscape against a clear blue sky.
A person in jeans and boots overlooking a desert vista with their white horse.
A person in casual western attire walking with a white horse among desert ocotillo plants.
A tender moment captured between a white horse and someone wearing an embroidered black western outfit at sunset.
A person in a decorated western outfit kneels beside a white horse in a desert setting.
A western-styled photoshoot featuring someone in an embellished black outfit with a white horse.
A relaxed pose leaning on a white horse's back in the desert.