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Desert Light & Night (May 2026)

$2,150.00

Death Valley National Park

Long weekend of immersion, landscape, and Milky Way photography in one of the most dramatic desert environments on Earth — timed for the new moon.

Death Valley is a land of extremes: sweeping dunes, jagged badlands, salt flats that stretch to the horizon, and surreal mineral palettes that glow under changing light. Each day we’ll rise early to capture soft desert hues at sunrise, return for evenings of golden light, and venture back out under the pristine night sky for the Milky Way.

Our photography will include iconic sites such as Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin, and the Mesquite Dunes. Alongside these, we’ll also seek out lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path vantage points that offer solitude and fresh perspectives beyond the postcards. The workshop is timed for the new moon (May 16, 2026), giving us three consecutive nights of dark skies and ideal conditions for nightscape photography. All locations are accessible with easy to moderate hiking routes, carefully selected to balance comfort and opportunity.

Death Valley National Park

Long weekend of immersion, landscape, and Milky Way photography in one of the most dramatic desert environments on Earth — timed for the new moon.

Death Valley is a land of extremes: sweeping dunes, jagged badlands, salt flats that stretch to the horizon, and surreal mineral palettes that glow under changing light. Each day we’ll rise early to capture soft desert hues at sunrise, return for evenings of golden light, and venture back out under the pristine night sky for the Milky Way.

Our photography will include iconic sites such as Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin, and the Mesquite Dunes. Alongside these, we’ll also seek out lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path vantage points that offer solitude and fresh perspectives beyond the postcards. The workshop is timed for the new moon (May 16, 2026), giving us three consecutive nights of dark skies and ideal conditions for nightscape photography. All locations are accessible with easy to moderate hiking routes, carefully selected to balance comfort and opportunity.

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Workshop Details

Dates

Friday, May 15 – Monday, May 18, 2026

Meeting Point: Death Valley National Park — 2:00 PM PST Friday, May 15, 2026
End Point: Death Valley National Park — 12:00 PM PST Monday, May 18, 2026

Duration & Group Size

Duration: 3 days of field instruction spread over a long weekend (excluding travel). Includes 3 nights of dark sky photography, weather permitting.
Group Size: 6

Fitness Level & Conditions

Easy to moderate hiking. Participants should be comfortable walking 3–4 miles per day (broken up across sunrise, sunset, and night sessions) with camera gear.

Average April temperatures range from 60–90°F. Be prepared for early mornings, late nights, and variable desert conditions.

What’s Included
  • Hands-on personalized photography instruction (sunrise, sunset, night)
  • Location scouting and permits
  • Field guidance and composition coaching
  • Post-processing instruction
What’s Not Included

Lodging, meals, and transportation.

Lodging

Not included. Participants must arrange their own lodging at the following locations:

  • Death Valley NP (Furnace Creek, CA): 3 nights — check in May 15, check out May 18 (Guests can choose either The Ranch at Death Valley or The Inn at Death Valley.)
Transportation

Not included. Participants are expected to have access to transportation to Death Valley National Park. Car-pooling within the park can be coordinated when practical.

Reservations & Payment

Full payment due at booking to secure a spot.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made more than 90 days prior to the start date are fully refundable. Cancellations within 90 days are non-refundable, but your spot may be transferred to another participant.

Recommended Gear

Photo: DSLR or mirrorless camera, wide and telephoto lenses, sturdy tripod, remote shutter release.
Other: Hiking shoes, day pack, headlamp, water bottle. A detailed checklist will be provided upon signup.