Breakout Sessions
Field Sessions
This year we have four brand new sessions in five new locations as well as spots at some of our favourite locations from the past for those who are joining us for the first time or who couldn’t attend these sessions in previous years. Sessions are limited to TWO per person and sign ups will go live on March 1st at 10am MT. Some sessions may change due to provincial park availability.

Beauvais Bird Walk
Bird nerds pack your long lenses and gear up for a leisurely stroll through the Beauvais Lake meadows to photograph the returning songbirds and waterfowl - and maybe even a moose or two! Located just a short 15 minutes from Pincher Creek, this leisurely stroll over relatively easy terrain will be a perfect way to ease into your conference day, losing yourself in the moment while enjoying the walk and the creatures you see along the way.
Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location.
Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 22km (20mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: long focal length lens, bear spray

Cameron Falls
Located in beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park, Cameron Falls is a stunning and easily accessed waterfall with ample parking and smooth terrain. Hosted by Monika Deviat, attendees will be able to take their time photographing this beauty from a variety of angles. Bring some longer focal length lenses and isolate the falls for some intimate falling water shots too! While not an official part of the session, attendees are encouraged to come to the park early to explore the Red Rock and Akamina Parkways in search of wildlife before the session begins.
Presenters in attendance: Monika Deviat
Physical difficulty level: easy
Distance from Pincher Creek: 56km (40mins)
Attendance cap: 30
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, valid Parks pass (not included)

Lynx Creek Campground
The Lynx Creek area is a beautiful, relaxing spot in Castle Provincial Park. The campground is nestled right along Lynx Creek and features many smaller cascades perfect for intimate jagged rock and water shots. Attendees can stroll along the creek for multiple vantage points and creek flow should be higher during the spring meaning more water will be flowing over the rocks than at other times of the year. Wildflowers and birds should also be plentiful in the campground to round out your morning photography pursuits!
Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location.
Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 46km (40mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, rubber boots

Boulder Run/Cottonwood Campground
A Lightchasers 2 for 1! This session is spread out over two closely-situated locations in the Old Man River valley between Pincher Creek and Heritage Acres: Boulder Run and the Cottonwood Campground.
Boulder Run offers attendees intimate views of fast flowing water breaking over smooth boulders in ambient evening light as well as reflection pools, cool rolling hills and architectural views of the Old Man Dam itself. There is a huge parking area that leads to rocky river terrain. Sturdy footwear is recommended for navigating the rocks.
Cottonwood Campground lives up to its name with a landscape replete with beautiful, old cottonwood trees that are full of character perfect for more intimate portraits. Across the river lies beautiful sandstone cliffs full of interesting textures for close up photos and a different view. Birders may find flickers, songbirds and maybe even an owl in the trees!
Note, there is no cell service in this area.
Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 14km (15mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to long focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, sturdy footwear

Lundbreck Falls
Lundbreck Falls is a stunning double waterfall located a mere 20 minute drive from Pincher Creek. The waterfalls can be photographed from a variety of angles and offer a chance for both grand scenic and more intimate shots. This beautiful spot also features a great old trestle bridge that makes for wonderful compositions as well. A variety of birds also frequent this location. This location is easily accessible by all but does feature some stairs down to the lower level that may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. The falls are bathed in soft morning light around 7am but early birds may want to catch a reverse sunrise over the falls at 530am.
Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 26km (21 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to long focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod

Sunset on Limber Pine Ridge
Not for the faint of heart, Sunset on Limber Pine Ridge is an exclusive opportunity to explore the majesty of a group of ancient limber pines located on private property that overlooks a scenic valley covered in wildflowers with the mountains in the background. This session involves a 2km hike through uneven fields and up a very steep embankment and is not recommended for those who aren’t experienced hikers or those with limited mobility. As this is located on private property, may involve potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife and a more difficult experience overall, participation in this session is limited and will be monitored with check ins and check outs.
Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: hard to extreme
Distance from Pincher Creek: 11km (13 mins)
Attendance cap: 25
Recommended gear: hiking boots, wide to medium focal length lenses, tripod (though not necessary), bear spray

Castle Falls
While the falls at Castle may not be as spectacular as their Lundbreck counterparts, this beautiful location features a great opportunity for not just capturing the larger scene but is also a small-scene photographer’s playground. Details in the smooth rock surfaces make for great intimate and abstract shots where photographers can lose themselves exploring it all. This location is also wonderful for early morning sightings of a variety of songbirds and even birds of prey.
Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location.
Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 42km (34 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod

Astro at Heritage Acres
Located at our host location, the Heritage Acres Farm Museum is a veritable time capsule of prairie life and features wonderfully dark skies. An old grain elevator and beautiful barn will allow attendees to face the northern sky to capture their favourite constellations or attempt some startrails. And if conditions are favourable, some late blue hour milky way core photography *might* be possible just before moonrise as well.
Presenters in attendance: TBD
Physical difficulty level: easy
Distance from Pincher Creek: 15km (10-15 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: fast, wide lenses, tripod
I found the conference to be unique in that there were diverse landscape genre presenters supported by a number of appropriate companies with their products. Less a workshop and more facilitation.Jan Lyall