Another incredible Wichita Mountains Spring Fling Photo Retreat is in the books! This special Spring Fling weekend was packed with golden light, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable moments shared with an amazing group of photographers.
Day 1: Settling In & Chasing Sunset
We kicked off our adventure by checking into the charming Plantation Inn in Medicine Park—our cozy home for the weekend. After getting settled, we gathered for a delicious dinner at the historic Old Plantation Restaurant, fueling up for an evening of photography.
With full bellies and cameras in hand, we made our way up Mt. Scott for a stunning sunset. The views were incredible as the light hit the rolling landscape. But the magic didn’t stop there! We wrapped up our first night capturing nightscapes around Medicine Park, making the most of the clear skies and glowing reflections on the river.
Day 2: Sunrise, Scouting & Prairie Dogs
An early start led us to Quanah Parker Lake and Dam to capture a serene sunrise and the setting moon—a perfect way to begin the day. From there, we set out on a golden hour auto tour through the park, scouting for wildlife and soaking in the morning glow.
Next, we made a stop at the fascinating Holy City, a unique spot with historic stone architecture that added a different dimension to our photography.
By midday, we were ready for a break, so we headed to Tu Familia Restaurant, a local favorite, where we enjoyed a great meal while diving into a Lightroom editing session. Afterward, we couldn’t resist a quick visit to watch the prairie dogs scurrying around—always a fun highlight!
As the sun dipped lower, we found ourselves at Jed Johnson Tower for another epic sunset. The soft light and dramatic landscape provided the perfect backdrop to wrap up our golden hour shooting. But we had one more trick up our sleeves! To end the night, we captured long exposure car trails through Medicine Park, adding a creative touch to our final shots.
Day 3: A Sunrise to Remember
Our last morning greeted us with an epic sunrise at Treasure Lake, where the sky lit up in color over the mountains. It was the kind of scene that makes getting up before dawn completely worth it!
After a bit more wildlife scouting, we made a stop at the mysterious Parallel Forest, a man-made forest to counteract the Dust Bowl, with an eerie, symmetrical layout that made for some unique compositions.
To cap off the weekend, we gathered for a final meal at Riverside Café, sharing stories, laughs, and already reminiscing about the unforgettable moments we had captured. As we parted ways, we didn’t just leave with full memory cards—we left with new friendships and incredible experiences that will stay with us long after the trip.
💚 Thank you to everyone who joined this adventure! Until next time, keep chasing the light! ✨
📷 Want to join the next retreat? Check out upcoming workshops here.
