BEAVERS BEND STATE PARK WORKSHOP
Custom Workshops
OVERVIEW
Workshops in Beavers Bend State Park, an overlooked gem in southeast Oklahoma, are tailored to your specific needs. During the course of this workshop, we will visit a variety of unique scenes in the park, including cypress trees standing amidst the Mountain Fork River, explorations along streams and creeks, scenic overlooks, and more.
In addition to guiding you through the park to these areas, I will provide photography instruction along the way. Topics will range from capturing a well-exposed image to composition, fieldcraft, and more advanced techniques like exposure bracketing and focus-stacking. Ultimately, we'll cover whatever will help you the most! During the mid-day downtime, depending on the scope of your custom workshop, I will be available to review editing techniques and have more in-depth discussions of topics we touch on in the field, or we can break for lunch before getting in some hiking while we wait for the best light to appear late in the afternoon and on into sunset.
If you opt for a small group workshop, my instruction is a mix of group and individual instruction. I cover the broad concepts as a group when we visit locations and then more individual attention while we are photographing to help answer specific questions you may have.
I keep the workshop size small, from 1 to 3 participants. This allows the individual attention to maximize the value you can gain from the workshop with one-on-one instruction to work on specific skills for you. It also helps give us plenty of room to work at various locations so we aren’t in each other’s way.
Beavers Bend State Park (Oklahoma)
Contact for Pricing
1-3 Days
1 Instructor
Up to 3 Participants
Fitness Level
Varies per Workshop
WORKSHOP ITINERARY
Overview
Since this is a custom workshop to meet your needs, or the needs of a small group, the itinerary will vary from workshop to workshop. We'll work together beforehand to build out an itinerary, although we'll also want to remain flexible to account for varying weather and park conditions.
Example 1-Day Itinerary
Arrive and meet up within Beavers Bend State Park. We will meet in the mid-afternoon for introductions, orientation to the workshop, and safety talks. Once we complete that, we will head out to photograph the late afternoon golden light and on into sunset before heading to our accommodations for the night.
The next morning, we will get up early to get to a location for the first pre-dawn light, and photograph on into the morning. We may visit a second location as the morning progresses and the light changes. We'll wrap up with lunch so we can wind down the workshop and I can answer any last questions, and then we'll part ways.
Example 2-Day Itinerary
The same as the example 1-day itinerary, except that the workshop will continue on for a second afternoon-to-sunset outing and, subsequently, another morning session before we wrap up with lunch.
Example 3-Day Itinerary
We'll follow the same general daily itineraries as the 2-day itinerary, just with an extra day.
Classroom Sessions Information
Classroom sessions noted are simply in-room instruction on specific topics and typically include a look at photo editing and photo editing workflow, plus deeper dives into topics as determined by you and/or other participants. The goal of these sessions is to review topics that are causing you trouble in the field so I have time to understand them better and then put them into practice during the on-location photography sessions.
Note: Depending on the scope of your custom workshop, classroom sessions may not be included. We will discuss this during our pre-workshop planning.
WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Fitness Level
Varies
Workshops at Beavers Bend State Park can involve physical activity from mostly flat hiking trails, roadside shooting, or strenuous uphill hikes. Even relatively flat hiking trails will likely involve uneven surfaces consisting of dirt, small rocks, and tree roots. We will discuss your physical fitness during our pre-workshop planning and I will tailor the locations we visit to your individual abilities.
Lodging
For the sake of saving time and general convenience, I recommend booking accommodations within the park. Specifically, somewhere in the "river" side as opposed to a location closer to the lake. If you're up for camping in a tent or vehicle, we can book a site to share. If that's not your style, the park also has cabins available to reserve and there is a park lodge, as well.
Note: If you wish to have a proper midday "classroom" session, staying at the lodge is required for the sake of having a TV we can connect a laptop to. To maintain privacy, we will each have our own room (although you're welcome to share a room with another participant).
Transportation
You are responsible for your transportation to and from the workshop.
You are also responsible for your transportation from place to place during the workshop. If participating in a small group workshop, carpooling is encouraged amongst workshop participants at your discretion. Carpooling helps when we visit locations with limited parking, as well. All locations are accessible via a normal passenger vehicle (no high-clearance or 4x4 required).
What to Bring
Please reference my Preparing for a Landscape Photography Workshop page for what to bring and prepare for before a workshop. I will communicate additional information via email prior to the workshop. You may find my app, PhotoPack Pro, helpful in preparing for workshops and outings on your own, as well, and I'm able to share a workshop prep and packing checklist via the app that you can use to check off tasks and items beforehand.
What's Included
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Landscape photography guiding
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Landscape photography instruction (in-field and classroom, if applicable)
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Exploration, good conversation, and plenty of fun!
What's Not Included
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Transportation to/from/during the workshop
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Lodging
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Meals
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Anything not explicitly listed as included
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Travel insurance (recommended to protect against unforeseen circumstances)
Payment Terms
If signing up for a custom one-on-one workshop, your workshop is only confirmed when a $25% deposit is received. The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days before the workshop's date. Please review the workshop's Terms and Conditions before registering. Payment of workshop fees means you accept the Terms and Conditions of workshop registration.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Michael Rung
Michael Rung is a photographer based out of north Texas, but he's passionate about exploring woodlands and photographing forest streams and waterfalls, subjects not generally found in Texas. He found his passion for such scenes, and photography in general, in Ireland and has also spent time in northern Arkansas photographing its lesser-known yet equally beautiful waterfalls.
As someone who deeply appreciates the beauty and magnificence of the natural world, Michael feels strongly about protecting the authenticity of nature photography through representational work. To him, it's not just about capturing visually stunning images; it's about preserving genuine moments and scenes that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.
After close to three decades working for the same company, where he was largely responsible for the coaching and development of others, Michael stepped away from his corporate career in early 2022 to pursue his passion for nature and landscape photography, and teaching, full-time.
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