Lincoln County Photo Festival returns to Panaca this October with expert-led Western workshops

by

Photography enthusiasts of all skill levels will gather at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Panaca from Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11, 2026, for the annual Lincoln County Photo Festival. The three-day educational event features hands-on field shoots, technical instruction, and dynamic photography sessions set across Eastern Nevada’s high-desert landscapes.

Photo by Cheney Photograph | Courtesy LCAT
The Lincoln County Photo Festival returns to Panaca Oct. 9-11. Registration is now open.

Based in Eastern Nevada’s oldest surviving town, the festival encourages participants to bring their own camera gear, specialty lenses, or drones to capture planned Western setups and natural scenic vistas throughout the weekend.

Workshop tracks and featured instructors

This year’s curriculum highlights a variety of specialized photography styles and techniques. Scheduled workshops include:

  • Atmospheric & Night Sky Sessions: Focused on night sky light painting, cosmic photography, and creating atmospheric night portraits.
  • Western & Action Photography: Covering fast-paced rodeo action, Western product image storytelling, and character portraits highlighting Western heritage.
  • Sunday Bonus Options: Offering instruction in creative in-camera lens tricks, drone photo and video capture, fine art editing, and mini-photo book creation.

Classes will be taught by a panel of experienced regional educators and professional photographers. Featured instructors include UNLV photography instructor Marcy Harper, College of Southern Nevada professor Mark Olson, master portrait photographer Mikel Conrad, and Las Vegas-based fine art photographer Sue Beauchamp.

Registration, lodging, and event sponsorship

Registration is open to the public, though organizers strongly recommend early booking as both workshop slots and local accommodations frequently reach capacity.

Lodging options within a 16-mile radius of the fairgrounds include regional hotels, local vacation rentals, and designated RV sites located directly on the fairgrounds property. Additional registration details, lodging resources, and photo galleries are available online through the official festival portal at www.LincolnCountyNevada.com/photofestival or by calling 775-441-1101.

The 2026 festival is sponsored by the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism, Travel Nevada, the City of Caliente, and Lincoln County.