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Desert Light & Night (April 2026)

$2,350.00

Valley of Fire plus Death Valley National Park

Four days of immersion, landscape, and Milky Way photography at two striking landscapes of the American Southwest - timed for the new moon.

We begin by exploring the backcountry waves, slot canyons, and graceful sandstone arches in and around Valley of Fire. The park’s deep red and orange Aztec sandstone glows under soft light, offering opportunities for both dramatic landscapes and intimate abstracts. The subjects are almost all off the beaten path, little known to visitors and unpublished in maps.

From there we move to Death Valley National Park to chase first light over badlands, photograph the Milky Way rising over hexagon-shaped salt flats, and work the vast dune fields at golden hour. All locations are accessible with easy to moderate hiking routes, intentionally selected to enable access.

Valley of Fire plus Death Valley National Park

Four days of immersion, landscape, and Milky Way photography at two striking landscapes of the American Southwest - timed for the new moon.

We begin by exploring the backcountry waves, slot canyons, and graceful sandstone arches in and around Valley of Fire. The park’s deep red and orange Aztec sandstone glows under soft light, offering opportunities for both dramatic landscapes and intimate abstracts. The subjects are almost all off the beaten path, little known to visitors and unpublished in maps.

From there we move to Death Valley National Park to chase first light over badlands, photograph the Milky Way rising over hexagon-shaped salt flats, and work the vast dune fields at golden hour. All locations are accessible with easy to moderate hiking routes, intentionally selected to enable access.

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Workshop Details

Dates

Wednesday, April 15 – Sunday, April 19, 2026

Meeting Point: Las Vegas, NV — 4:00 PM PST Wednesday, April 15, 2026
End Point: Death Valley National Park — 12:00 PM PST Sunday, April 19, 2026 (Guests may return to Las Vegas or continue travels independently.)

Duration & Group Size

Duration: 4 full days of field instruction (excluding travel)
Group Size: 6

Fitness Level & Conditions

Easy to moderate hiking. Participants should be comfortable walking 3–5 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:

  • Las Vegas, NV: 2 nights — check in Apr 15, check out Apr 17
  • Death Valley NP (Furnace Creek, CA): 2 nights — check in Apr 17, check out Apr 19 (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 Las Vegas, Death Valley, and Valley of Fire. 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.