Dry Creek photoshoot

Last month, our local Professional Photographers of America (PPA) guild organized a shoot-out with 2 other local photography groups at Dry Creek, an 1800s town set used for a television series. Located just north of Tampa, it was literally like entering a Little House on the Prairie TV set. Models were brought in who dressed the part. Horses and props like guns and wagons rounded out the western theme, making for so many awesome photographic opportunities.

With a variety of buildings, sets including a saloon complete with bar, poker table and piano and models there was an endless option of themes for us to capture. The models, dressed in period attire, even enacted a holdup and robbery, a shoot out in the saloons and a good old fashioned cowboy horse chase. There’s a reason I’m always behind the camera - a model I am not. But the folks who modeled for us did a fantastic job acting their roles. It really felt like we were in the middle of the 1800s cowboy country! It was hard not to walk away with some terrific images - certainly this was unlike anything I had ever photographed before!

I was sure my favorite subject to photograph would be the horses, but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself drawn to working with the models. It isn’t easy to model, especially if it’s not something you’ve been trained to do. Honestly, though, all of them were so easy to work with. They were patient as we asked them to move this way and that, taking turns to make sure they connected with each photographer before moving on to another pose.

When it was time to wrap up, I was sad to see the day come to an end. I don’t know what the future of Dry Creek holds, but if there is ever an opportunity to go back there again, I most definitely will!