ABOUT THE BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Embark on a journey through the amazing landscapes of Big Bend National Park, one of America's most legendary and remote national parks. This workshop is designed for photographers eager to surround themselves in captivating desert vistas and brilliant starry skies of the Southwest. Whether you're chasing the elusive Milky Way or capturing the golden hues of a desert sunset, you'll experience the thrill of discovering new perspectives and creating unforgettable images in one of the darkest sky parks in the U.S.
WORKSHOP FOCUS
Big Bend offers a vast array of photographic opportunities, from the glowing warmth of sunrise and sunset over rugged desert landscapes to the awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way. This workshop highlights both sunrise and sunset photography, as well as night sky photography, equipping you with the tools and techniques needed to capture the park's dramatic scenery at all hours of the day and night. By morning, explore the park's deserts, mountains, and river valleys as the first light illuminates the landscape. By evening, photograph the stunning Milky Way as it arcs above Big Bend's otherworldly terrain.
NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Set your sights on the brilliant Milky Way, a celestial wonder visible with stunning clarity in Big Bend's pristine skies. Learn advanced techniques for capturing the stars against the backdrop of desert formations and distant mountain ridges. The stillness of the desert, paired with its unparalleled dark skies, makes this location perfect for astrophotography, giving you the opportunity to create extraordinary images of the night sky.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Experience the magic of combining twilight and Milky Way imagery in one cohesive shot. Andy will guide you through advanced techniques for time-compressed imagery, helping you seamlessly blend these elements in post-processing to create breathtaking, cinematic photos that tell a compelling story.
POST-PROCESSING INSTRUCTION
The workshop extends beyond shooting, as Andy provides expert guidance through the editing process. Learn how to bring out the full potential of your images during hands-on post-processing sessions. By the end of the workshop, you'll walk away with finished, polished images ready to showcase your new skills.
PREMIER DARK SKY PARK
Big Bend National Park's remote location in the Chihuahuan Desert makes it one of the best places in the U.S. for photographing the Milky Way. Its dark, vast skies are perfect for astrophotography, offering endless opportunities to experience the wonders of the cosmos and photograph our galaxy. Whether you're shooting during the quiet hours of dusk and dawn or under the star-filled night sky, every moment will be a chance to create awe-inspiring images.
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
SUNRISE, SUNSET AND DAYTIME PHOTOGRAPHY
Our days at Big Bend will focus on capturing the park's exceptional morning and evening light, especially when dramatic clouds are present. We'll be ready for sunrise and sunset shoots, taking full advantage of dynamic skies to enhance our landscape photography. While clear skies are ideal for astrophotography, we embrace the artistic potential of clouds. When dramatic cloud cover appears midday, we'll shift our focus to capturing moody, atmospheric scenes, with an emphasis on striking black-and-white compositions. Regardless of the conditions, we'll adapt creatively, ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to photograph Big Bend's stunning beauty—from the serene light of dawn to the vibrant glow of sunset, and even the compelling drama of a cloud-filled midday.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY & SCHEDULE
WORKSHOP START: SUNDAY, May 10, 2026:
The workshop kicks off with an introduction at 5:30 PM, followed by a stunning sunset shoot in Big Bend's expansive desert landscape. The first evening will set the tone for a week of exploration, discovery, and photography.
PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS: MONDAY, May 11, 2026 - THURSDAY, May 14, 2026:
Each day's photography sessions will be carefully tailored based on the weather forecast, ensuring we make the most of the optimal conditions for capturing Big Bend's stunning landscapes and night skies.
WORKSHOP CONCLUSION: THURSDAY EVENING, May 14, 2026:
The workshop wraps up after an evening photography session, leaving you with a portfolio of stunning images and memories of an incredible adventure.
LODGING LOCATIONS & DATES:
Terlingua, TX
Check-in: Sunday, May 10th, 2026
Check-out: Friday, May 15th, 2026
LODGING DETAILS: Participants will receive lodging information closer to the event.
DEPARTURE TIPS: Due to the remote nature of the area and the possibility of photographing the Milky Way on Thursday night, we recommend scheduling your return flight for Saturday, May 16th, 2026. This will allow for a more relaxed departure. If you need to leave on Friday, May 15th, please keep in mind the long drive to the nearest airport.
WHAT TO EXPECT
MORNING: Our mornings start with either early photo shoots to catch the magic of the desert light or group breakfasts where we'll discuss the day's plans and photography goals. You'll quickly realize that landscape photography isn't just a technical exercise—it's an immersive experience that draws you into the rhythm of nature.
MIDDAY: During the midday, we'll focus on post-processing, providing individual guidance to refine your editing skills. Bring a laptop with Photoshop so you can actively participate and get personalized advice to make your images shine. Specifically, we'll cover techniques for processing your time-compressed imagery sequences, combining auto-bracketed exposure sets for high dynamic range results, and mastering other essential post-processing workflows. This includes color correction, noise reduction, and advanced compositing techniques, all tailored to enhance the stunning landscapes and night sky images you'll capture in Big Bend.
EVENING: Before venturing out for evening sessions, we'll share a group dinner at a local restaurant, where you can relax, chat with fellow participants, and share stories of the day's photography adventures. The evenings are dedicated to capturing dramatic sunsets and the night sky. We'll adapt to the conditions and make the most of every evening, capturing stunning starry landscapes whenever the skies permit.
Ready to Capture the Beauty of Big Bend?
Spaces for our Big Bend National Park Photography Workshop are limited to ensure a personalized experience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to capture the magnificence of Southwest Texas and the night sky, while learning advanced photography techniques in a friendly and supportive environment. Reserve your spot today and start your adventure toward creating extraordinary landscape images!
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION / DEPOSIT $300 USD
CONTACT US - MasterCard / Visa.
or
PayPal below.
- DEPOSIT or FULL
- BALANCE
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WORKSHOP DETAILS
EXPERIENCE LEVELS: Beginner to Advanced Photographers (Advanced Content)
This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels, from beginners eager to learn the basics to advanced photographers ready to fine-tune their night sky techniques. No matter your experience level, you'll find a supportive environment where you'll learn, grow, and leave with a portfolio of stunning images.
SMALL GROUP SIZE: To ensure personalized attention and an optimal experience during this workshop, we target a group size of 6 participants. This allows for more focused guidance and a better opportunity to delve into advanced techniques.
EFFORT LEVEL: Varies - The workshop involves moderate walking with most locations being within a ¼ mile from the parking lot. A few of the locations may require walks of up to ½ mile with mild elevation gain. For more adventurous photographers, one hike may span 2.5 miles with 1100 feet of elevation gain. If you have any concerns about your fitness level or the requirements of these hikes, please don't hesitate to contact us.
CONDITIONS: Average temperatures in May range from 61°F to 81°F. While the days are warm, evenings can be chilly—perfect for night sky photography, so be sure to pack layers. Lightweight clothing for daytime will keep you comfortable, while a jacket and sweater will ensure you stay warm during evening shoots.
ELEVATION: Our shooting locations span elevations from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. Be mindful of your hydration, especially at higher elevations, to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
GETTING TO THE WORKSHOP
SUGGESTED WORKSHOP AIRPORTS: The most convenient airports for this workshop are El Paso International (ELP) and Odessa/Midland International (MAF).
Driving time from El Paso to Big Bend: Approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes.
Driving time from Odessa/Midland to Big Bend: Approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes.
TRAVELING TO BIG BEND: To ensure you're well-prepared for the workshop, we recommend arriving in Texas on Saturday, May 9th, 2026. You can drive to Alpine, TX, a charming college town with various hotel options. It may be graduation time, so be sure to book your accommodation early. The drive from Alpine to Terlingua takes about 2 hours.
DRIVING CONDITIONS: Big Bend National Park features paved roads, and a standard rental car is sufficient. We encourage participants to carpool during the workshop, both to minimize our impact and to build camaraderie with fellow photographers.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
FOR BIG BEND:
FOR NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY:
CAMERAS: Full-frame sensors are ideal, but crop-sensor cameras can work with a lens of at least 10mm wide.
LENSES: A wide lens (16mm or wider) is recommended for capturing the vast Milky Way.
LENS PERFORMANCE: Test your lens's wide aperture performance before the workshop. (See PDF How to test lens sharpness for more details.)
FOR SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHY:
LENS RANGE: For optimal coverage, we recommend bringing lenses that range from at least 16mm to 400mm (after factoring in the lens multiplication). A polarizing filter is essential to reduce reflections and enhance colors.
TRIPOD: Sturdy, solid tripod with thick legs for stability. It should be tall enough to be used at standing height without bending over. A stable tripod is essential for long exposure and night sky shots.
SOFTWARE: Bring a laptop with Photoshop installed for editing images during the workshop. We also highly recommend downloading the PhotoPills app to your phone to help with planning your shots, especially for Milky Way photography.
OTHER ESSENTIALS:
FOOTWEAR: During the Bigbend Workshop, participants should be aware of natural terrain hazards such as cacti and uneven ground. To ensure comfort and safety, we recommend wearing ankle-high leather hiking boots. Tall vegetation and the terrain can make it difficult to see where you're stepping, so bringing snake gaiters, which can also help repel cactus thorns, will provide added protection for your legs.
WATER: Embrace the adventure by ensuring you can carry at least 3-4 quarts of water to stay hydrated during the longest hike. As you explore Big Bend's rugged terrain, staying refreshed will keep you energized for every step of the journey, allowing you to fully appreciate the wild beauty of the park.
If you're fascinated by night sky photography and want to explore another incredible location, consider joining our Arches & Moab Night Photography Workshop. Capture the Milky Way over the stunning red rock landscapes of Utah.
The vast skies of Big Bend deserve stunning post-processing. Learn the techniques to bring your captures to life with our tutorials:
Blending a Milky Way Image With a Foreground Image Taken at Dusk
&
Master Milky Way Panoramas