04 Apr 2026 Western Visions

Based on the experience of photojournalist Diana Cantey

Last fall, photographers from across the South converged in Rose Bud for the Western Visions Photography Workshop, led by internationally acclaimed equine photographer Scott Trees. 

The thunder of hooves, the shimmer of sunlight on water, and the quiet patience of photographers waiting for the perfect moment all came together on a working ranch in the foothills of the Ozarks. 

For one autumn day in Rose Bud, the traditions of ranch life and the artistry of photography met in a celebration of the American West — right here in the 501.

Photographers from across Arkansas and neighboring states gathered Oct. 4, 2025, for the Western Visions Photography Workshop, an immersive event celebrating horsemanship, ranch life and the artistry of equine photography.

Organized by Central Arkansas photojournalist Diana Cantey, the workshop brought together photographers from Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas, including members of the Arkansas Professional Photographers Association and Arkansas Women Photographers. Their destination was Union Rock Cattle Company, a fifth-generation working ranch whose roots stretch back to the 1930s.

Leading the workshop was internationally acclaimed equine photographer Scott Trees, whose five-decade career has taken him around the world photographing Arabian and performance horses. Known for dramatic lighting and emotive imagery, Trees shared not only technical expertise but also a philosophy about connecting with the subject.

The day began at the Red Apple Inn and Country Club in Heber Springs (Cleburne County), where photographers gathered in the rustic Club Room over coffee and pastries. Trees opened the workshop with a presentation on understanding equine behavior — teaching participants how to read a horse’s expression, anticipate its movements, and recognize fleeting moments of beauty and grace.

For many attendees, the workshop quickly became more than just a class. “I was amazed by how quickly everyone bonded,” said one participant from Little Rock. “Even before we left the classroom, I felt like I’d found a new group of friends who shared my passion for storytelling through the camera.”

After the morning session, the group traveled about 10 miles to Union Rock Cattle Company to put those lessons into practice amid the bustle of ranch life. Stock trailers lined the grounds, and the sounds of cattle, horses and leather tack filled the air as photographers spread out across the property.

Cowboys and cowgirls guided cattle through working pens and across open pasture, offering photographers a vivid look at authentic ranch work. At one point, as riders prepared to move the herd, a cowboy pulled out his cellphone and played the familiar theme song from the television show “Bonanza” — an unexpected moment that perfectly blended Western tradition with modern life.

Dust kicked up beneath pounding hooves as riders galloped across the fields, creating scenes that seemed straight from a classic Western film. Later in the afternoon, photographers moved to a lakeside pasture for one of the day’s most dramatic sessions. Ranch owner Seth Caldwell rode his striking gray horse, Tractor, through shallow water, sending arcs of spray sparkling in the sunlight.

Moments later, Megan Caldwell urged her chestnut gelding Zan into a gallop across the water’s edge. The horse’s reflection shimmered on the lake’s surface, creating a powerful silhouette. “This was my favorite part,” said participant Mickey Arlow of Bella Vista. “Finding the right angle to catch the light on the water and the horse’s muscles in motion — it was both challenging and exhilarating.”

As the afternoon faded toward evening, the workshop shifted to portrait work in an open field. The instructor moved among the photographers, offering hands-on guidance and reminding them to stay patient and attentive.

“Scott encouraged us to wait for those honest, unscripted moments,” said Kim Boyd Vickrey-Jones of Jonesboro (Craighead County). “I learned to trust my instincts and let the environment guide my camera.”

The day concluded with a dramatic finale. Megan returned to the field wearing a flowing royal blue gown and performed an impressive display of trick riding atop her palominos, Slim and Fergie. Her Roman-style ride across the golden field created a cinematic scene that drew applause from the photographers gathered along the fence line.

As twilight deepened, another powerful image unfolded. Cabe Sulhoff rode a towering black Percheron named Shaq across the horizon while carrying a billowing American flag. The last light of day ignited the sky in shades of crimson, orange and gold — a perfect closing frame for the workshop.

“It wasn’t just about taking pictures — it was about feeling the moment and experiencing the ranching culture,” one participant reflected.

For Cantey, the event accomplished exactly what she hoped it would: bringing photographers together to learn, collaborate and build community while celebrating the heritage of ranch life. Workshops like Western Visions offer photographers opportunities not only to sharpen their technical skills but also to share experiences, build friendships and find inspiration in unexpected moments. By the end of the day, participants left with new knowledge about working with natural light, anticipating equine movement and capturing authentic storytelling images.

But perhaps more importantly, they left with a renewed appreciation for the culture and landscape that inspired those photographs.

As the sun slipped below the pastures of Union Rock Cattle Company, the echoes of hooves and camera shutters faded into the quiet evening — leaving behind images that captured the beauty of ranch life in the Natural State.