SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

WESTERN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 2026

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that Utah is an iconic photo location is due to the proximity of variety. From mountain peaks to massive dunes of sand, Utah boasts some of the most incredible views and experiences all within 2 hours of Salt Lake City. If the landscapes weren't inspirational enough, the authentic western folks here will certainly be enough to inspire--midsummer wildflowers and green mountain foliage await you here in Utah!


Salt Lake City, Utah has held a special place in my heart since I was a little girl running around in my grandpa's irrigation ditches and staring in awe at the mountains right in his backyard. It is a magical place! Come spend 3 nights and 4 days with me as I show you some of the most incredible, unworldly locations that you don't want to miss.

hey, it's me, emma


Quick intro before I dive in! My name is Emma & I have been photographing horses for 13 years. During my time in Utah, I fell in love with the quiet beauty and magic of the State, and the rustic western feel that the people around me demonstrated. I can't wait to share that with you, too!

What is Included?


  • 4 days of adventures in the wild Utah mountains & other magical Utah locations
  • Welcome dinner in a yurt in the mountains
  • 1 hour long trail ride in the mountains with knowledgeable wranglers
  • Post trail ride lunch at a yummy local spot
  • 1:1 direction & learning from a seasoned equine photographer
  • forever mentorship & access to Facebook group


Not included: airfare, transportation to shoots, meals besides what is listed above


Who, What, & Where?


Dates: JUNE 18-21, 2026

Workshop will begin at 5pm on June 18 in Midway, Utah and end midday June 21.


Activity: While we will be close to our locations in the parking spots, participants should be prepared to hike small hills & should be comfortable with an hour in the saddle.


Skill Level: All levels of photography knowledge are welcome!


INVESTMENT: $2800

A deposit of $800 is required to hold your place in the workshop & the remaining balance is due 60 days before the first day of the workshop (April 19, 2026) The deposit is non-refundable unless you are able to fill your spot in which case, a partial refund will be issued for the deposit. No exceptions to this rule will be made.


Total Available Spots: 10


Lodging Recommendations: Salt Lake City

I recommend finding lodging in Salt Lake City, Sandy, or Draper in order to be fairly central to the locations. The recommended airport is Salt Lake City International Airport. There is also an airport in Provo that can be flown into with Breeze airlines. That is a more affordable option for participants from certain locations.


Itinerary:

We will start June 18 in Midway with our welcome dinner. This will include draft horses, s'mores, roping dummies, and a delicious meal. We will be shooting primarily in the afternoon/evening and using the morning for discussion and mentorship. This will allow time for fellowship between participants and time for participants to explore this beautiful area of the United States if they want to! We will be shooting at the Sand Dunes, the Salt Flats, and an iconic mountain location with an incredible view of Mt. Timponogos. Saturday, June 20 will be the most packed day with a trail ride in the morning, lunch, shooting some cowboys in the roping pen, and then our mountain location.

Testimonials


"I’m on the way to the airport in tears. I needed this trip more than I knew. I needed to get out of my bubble, the daily grind, and all of the things around me. I needed to refresh my perspective. I’ve been in a bit of a rut. I needed to be inspired. Because I’ve been lacking in that department. I needed to connect with my “why” behind photography. A lot of that came from my first horse Apollo. He taught me more in the short time that I had him, than anyone has ever taught me. He made me question everything I thought I knew about horses and horsemanship. And he showed me a better way. In all of his wisdom, he taught me partnership over domination. Allowing over control. And when he had to leave suddenly, he gave me the courage to walk away from an abusive ex. Because he showed me what unconditional love was. Pictures are all I have left. And those are more meaningful to me than anything else. I hope to honor him with what I do with my life, especially with photography. This trip, it connected me back to that. It showed me the joy I feel in photography, and reminded me that there is a bigger purpose behind it. To all of you, thank you for being part of this. Olivia and Emma, thank you so much for creating this retreat and a space to connect and collaborate over competition. For the organization and planning that this beast took. That is no small feat. Thank you Sam, for assisting, and for taking care of so much behind the scenes. I’m leaving humbled and happy. Inspired and ready to take action. And with 4 full SD cards of images that I cannot wait to sift through."

-Tara; 2025 Utah Retreat Participant


"Photogs, say yes to an afternoon or day or evening with Emma Little. Her content days are the best! From stunning horses with mountain backdrops, to Halloween adventures in the rain … she never disappoints. Her content days are always reasonably priced, collaborative, and fun! I always try to breathe the same air as Emma as much as possible, she is a true gem of a human who is always shining her light on everyone else. She creates a collaborative, fun, boosting environment for photogs, models, and animals if available. The models that show up for her are always there to give their best, which pushes me as a photographer to give my best in the moment and deliver images promptly."

-Michelle, several time content day participant


"I absolutely love working with Emma! I originally met her through the Utah Equine Photographers group. Right after joining, the first post I saw was an invite to a content day she was hosting in a poppy field. It was going to start at sunrise the day after my birthday and I remember thinking “I just have to do this. This sounds incredible!” I immediately signed up and it was the best decision. We had the most magical morning - Emma had lined up fantastic models (both horsey and human) and the backdrop of the red poppies against the mountains was unreal. I'll never forget being blown away by our gorgeous stallion model, Creed, waving his long mane in the flowers. It was a photographer's dream!! The images we all came home with were so incredible and unique. Definitely not something you get the chance to shoot every day. The content day also provided an opportunity to meet other local equine photographers! I had recently moved to the area and really didn't know anyone. I had been wanting to feel more plugged in but wasn't sure where to start. This was exactly what l'd been looking for and the perfect way to get more connected. I loved meeting everyone and getting to collaborate together on shots. Everyone was super friendly and supportive of one another. Most of us still keep in touch and I love following their work. The connections made through Emma’s event are honestly invaluable and I came away with not only amazing photos, but new friendships too. One of the people I met ended up becoming my trainer (who I love!) and has been working with my baby horse while I’ve been pregnant this year. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her and I’m not sure we would’ve ever crossed paths if it hadn’t been for me attending the event! I honestly cannot say enough good things about Emma. If you’re considering working with her or attending one of her content retreats - do it! You cannot go wrong. Her talent, attention to detail and kindness make her so wonderful to work with. I can’t wait to see all the fun things she’ll come up with for the future!" -Lauren, 2023 Content Day Attendee