2023
MUSES OF THE WEST
Muses of the West is a scenic photography tour that takes place in select locations in the western US with a group of like-minded individuals who share a love of shooting artistic nudes outdoors. Our six events for 2023 are listed below.
“I attended the inaugural Muses of the West tour in 2022 and it was the best put-together model workshop that I've ever attended. Communication prior to and during the event, food and housing were all great and combined with the phenomenal posing and energy of the models made for a very successful trip with lots of great photos. Jessa Ray kept in communication prior to arrival so we all knew what to bring and what to expect for locations and models which made getting excited really easy!”
Greg Holdenwww.imagesunderfoot.com | @imagesunderfoot
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Having the models and photographers share a house for the tour provided more opportunities to engage with each other and share photos and concepts each day so that our pictures together could evolve throughout the trip, versus had we been isolated in our own hotel rooms. The variety of locations provided unique opportunities each day for different poses and multiple opportunities for various types of dresses that the models brought with them.
Jessa Ray picked a group of models with varied looks and styles, but still complemented each other when we did group shoots. Jessa Ray ensured we rotated models between the photographers at each location and also planned pair and trio shoots too, thus ensuring the photographers maximized their variety of photos. Jessa Ray pulled double duty in modeling, pointing the photographers to pre-scouted locations and keeping us on schedule, and even providing alternate plans when other people wandered into our photo shoot location. Although she had a well thought-out plan for each shoot location, there was still ample time for the photographers and models to discover their own unique areas at the location to come up with their own adhoc concepts.
A surprising highlight of the tour was the food. Having a personal chef, Greg, prepare healthy meals each day ensured we were all fueled and ready to go. Jessa told us at the beginning of the trip that there would be no fast food on this trip! Even when we had to leave in the early morning for a sunset shoot, Greg provided homemade super smoothies to get us going that morning and would also cook on location after several shoots so that we could eat at a normal meal time instead of waiting for a long drive back to the house.
Having a tour with experienced models in interesting locations ensures you’ll get great photos, but combining that with having a well-planned tour with good food and lodging guarantees you’ll have an experience that you’ll treasure and remember every time you view those photos.
“Colorado is beautiful and the "Muses of the West" photography tour that Greg Holden and I attended in September 2022 was super. We all stayed in a hostel, which was both centrally located for our day trips, and also provided a fine opportunity for everybody to get to know one another. The home-cooked food throughout the trip was over-the-top! Both the models and the shooting locations offered a wide variety of opportunities to get all sorts of fine shots and I have already gotten some photo awards for the resulting images.”
Bill SeeligAttended Muses of the West 2022
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Other outstanding features of this workshop:
- The model-to-photographer was great, so we all got to pair off in various combinations.
- The photo shooting locations covered a wide range of environments.
- We had ample time in the evening to process and review the work as the workshop progressed.
- I personally learned a great deal from working with the other photographers and models, as well as having a great time.
New Mexico Landscape Adventure
June 19-23
3 models, 3 photographers
$4200 All-inclusive
SOLD OUT!
Exploration of New Mexico from north to south starting in the Bisti Badlands, Diablo Canyon, Lava Flow, & ending at White Sands NP.
Our Muses:
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Western Slope High Mountain Adventure
July 10-14
3 models, 3 photographers
$4200 All-inclusive
Exploration of Colorado’s Western Slope Featuring Mountain Glaciers, Gnarled Old Juniper Trees, Aspens, High Mountain Lakes, Wild Flower Meadows & Spring Waterfalls.
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Elk Mountain Adventure
August 14-18
3 models, 6 photographers
$3600 All-inclusive
Exploration of Colorado’s Elk Mountains Features Wild Flower Meadows, Aspen Tree Forest, High Mountain Landscapes, and Mountain Lake Views.
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Sangre De Cristo Adventure
August 24-28
3 models, 3 photographers
$4200 All-inclusive
SOLD OUT!
Exploration of Colorado’s San Luis Valley Features Great Sand Dunes NP, Wildflower Fields, Grassy Wetlands, Volcanic Geological Features, Hollow Red Rock Boulders & Colorado’s Bristlecone Pines at Windy Ridge!
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Great Basin Adventure
September 11-15
3 models, 6 photographers
$3600 All-inclusive
Exploration of the West Utah Great Basin Desert Features Volcanic Landscapes, Sevier Dry Lake Bed, Sand Dunes, Hot Springs & Gnarled Juniper/Cedar Trees.
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Luxury Spanish Villa Retreat
October 19-27
5 models, 5 photographers
$7500 All-Inclusive for Full Experience
Part 1 $4650 All-Inclusive
Part 2 $4250 All-Inclusive
Exploration of New Mexico’s White Sands, volcanic features, and an astonishing Spanish villa featuring fine-art nudes, exquisite wardrobe & props with professional hair & makeup styling.
Join us for the whole experience or come for Part 1 or 2.
Email us at jessaraymuse@gmail.com for more info.
Our Muses:
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