April, 2027

San Luis Obispo

This workshop begins at 3:30 on the first day and ends with a group dinner on day 3.

$1850 Early Bird, paid in full by Jan 31, 2027 ~ 

$1950 if paid after Jan 31, 2027

Check back for actual dates by the end of September.  Dates and registration opening will be announced first to the email list.

May, 2027

Lompoc Sanctuary + Babcock Winery

This workshop begins at 4:00 on day one, and ends on day three in Lompoc with a group dinner that night.

$1850 Early Bird, paid in full by Jan 31, 2027 ~ 

$1950 if paid after Jan 31, 2027

Check back for actual dates by the end of September.  Dates and registration opening will be announced first to the email list.

More Details below!

Photography Workshop and Safari

San Luis Obispo April, 2027

Hosted by Lori Sortino 

with Cathy Wallace and/or Deb Hofstetter

Description:

This workshop is intended for photographers to spend time with the rescued mustang herds and bands on sanctuary land San Luis Obispo (SLO), CA. 

We will observe and photograph the herd in their natural state.  There may be time during the day for group editing as well, for those interested in learning and sharing editing techniques.  Optionally, we can remain out on the land with the horses most of the day.  Our decision will depend on weather conditions and group input.  In early April, the grass is typically greener and fresher (compared to summer).  The weather is less predictable, so be prepared for rain, wind, clouds, or sun.  Temps will be between the mid 40's and the 60's.

A significant portion of your registration will go to supporting Return to Freedom.

$1,850*

Includes food as noted
Not Included: Lodging, transportation to the sanctuary

*Early Bird if paid in one payment by Jan 31, 2027

$1,950 if paid after Jan 31 2027

Registration after Jan 31 requires a $350 deposit to hold your spot.

Photography Experience with Editing Lab 

Lompoc, May 2027

Hosted by Lori Sortino 

Description:

In Lompoc, we will go into pastures with various bands of horses, to photograph them in groups, as they move on their own.  Spirit, the muse for the Dreamworks animated film, resides in Lompoc and we will have an opportunity to see him.  We will do some barn portraits as well.  These are often a highlight for the photographers!  We will have an editing lab set up in one of the barns.  On the final day, we will visit Babcock Winery and photograph the Alpine Herd who reside at this property.  Wine tasting is an option (not included).

A significant portion of your registration will go to supporting Return to Freedom.

Contact Lori with any questions!

805-709-6000

Here's a video of some of the horses in San Luis Obispo getting their itches scratched by this great Sycamore Tree

Workshop End Notes ~ The Fine Print

Schedule and Timing Details are subject to change with or without notice, based on weather or other environmental hazards, or any issues with the herd.

Be advised, in San Luis Obispo, the terrain is rough and riding in Polaris or Can-AM type All Terrain Vehicles on the ranch is mostly off road.  The vehicle rides are rough and jostling and you may be in an open air vehicle with lots of dust and wind.  Up on the hill there it is cold and the winds are strong.  You will likely do a lot of walking up and down hills with squirrel holes; some hidden by tall grass.  On rare occasions we come across snakes.

In Lompoc, there may also be lots of walking, especially photographing the Alpine Herd!  

There are NO Refunds, as these Safaris are fundraisers for Return to Freedom, so once we have started the Safari, whatever happens was meant to happen and we all agree to support this wonderful organization without complaint.  If your Safari is cancelled in advance, partial or full refunds may occur.  If your Safari is re-scheduled, your deposit or payment will be transferred to the new dates.  If you are unable to attend those dates, you may attend another one of my workshops or safaris and transfer your payment to that event.  I am not interested in taking people's money and not providing the service offered, so I expect we will come to an agreeable outcome with regard to money collected.

We highly recommend TRAVEL INSURANCE.  This protects your investment in the event you are unable to attend last minute.

About Lori Sortino, Deb Hofstetter, and Cathy Wallace

I had "photograph wild horses" on my bucket list and found my way to Return to Freedom.  I registered for and attended a week long workshop with Tony Stromberg in June of 2018.  It changed my life.  It changed my "world-view" of horses and deepened my interest in and love for these incredible animals.  I continue to be impressed by Neda DeMayo's (founder of Return to Freedom) dedication and accomplishments on behalf of the wild mustangs.  I have taken three workshops with Tony Stromberg (two at RTF and one in Idaho) and work as a professional equine photographer.  I have accumulated about 1,000 hours of actual behind the camera time photographing horses, and probably over 5,000 hours editing equestrian images.  This is where I am "in the flow" and the hours just whiz by!  Several of my images were published in 2023 in a book for young students titled Wild Horses: Running Free, by Linda L. Richards.

I have been volunteering with Return to Freedom at their afternoon photo safaris since 2019, and hosting multi-day photo safaris since 2023.  

In addition to photographing horses on my own time to create fine art, which I sell on line and in cafe's, galleries, and coffee houses, I have photographed equine sports and horse shows since 2019 (hunter/jumper, eventing, polo, dressage, breed shows, and cow-horse cutting).  In this work I have had Deb Hofstetter and Cathy Wallace become my partners because of their equally profound love for horses and photography, and because they stepped up and helped with some of the behind the scenes and before the events work, providing input and work beyond shooting and editing.  When I started offering equine photography workshops in 2021, I invited them to join me.  Deb adds extensive editing experience and is eager to share, show, and tell.  Cathy, in addition to her photography and editing experience, has experience as a horse-owner, rider, competitor, and trainer.  Her knowledge of horses is extensive.

About Sandy Rakowitz

Sandy teaches animal communication and sees the world from a very "connected to all that is" perspective.  Her years of experience teaching the principles will be a tremendous benefit to the photographer because she will help you learn to recognize and apply the very way of being that makes you a part of the herd rather than a visitor.  Read more about Sandy.

About Meg Frederick

Meg spends several months a year on the range, observing, living with, and photographing wild mustangs in several Herd Management Areas in several states.  Her knowledge of the wild horses is extensive, and very personal.  Attending a safari with Meg includes the opportunities for stories from her adventures with the mustangs, as well as an experienced explanation of the herd behavior we witness while out with the horses at the Return to Freedom Sanctuaries.