Big Bend National Park is known for its ancient limestone and volcanic rock formations, but did you know it has one of the darkest skies in the world? Explore one of the most fascinating Southwest landscapes, where the Rio Grande River flows through deep canyons and meanders through the desert terrain. We will also head high into the Chisos Mountains, where black bears, bighorn sheep, and deer are often spotted in this photogenic setting. We will photograph old, abandoned buildings and make our way through ghost towns and graveyards. If winter brings good rains, we could have fantastic flower and cactus blooms at this time of year.
With some of the darkest skies in the country, the Milky Way will be first and foremost on the Big Bend agenda. You will learn astrophotography and how to properly create images in low light—your night sky and landscape will look amazing! During classroom sessions, you will also learn advanced techniques for processing your night sky images.
With resort accommodations and tasty cuisine in a wild-west setting, it will be a week full of adventure and photography.
Muench Workshops is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
Curtis W. Callaway
Jody Smyers
Your Guides
Location
Texas
Dates
June 6 - 12 2024
Your Investment
$6500
Fitness Level
Moderate
Group Size
8
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
June 6, 2024: Big Bend is in a remote corner of Texas. We recommend flying into the closest airport in Midland and spending this night at the Comfort Inn & Suites. The tuition does not cover this night. Also, you will need to rent a vehicle to make the 4-hour drive south to Lajitas Golf Resort, where the workshop begins. You can also contact us to help arrange ridesharing with another participant.
June 7, 2024: Your instructors will meet everyone in the hotel lobby in Lajitas, Texas, at 3:00 PM. After an orientation and early dinner, we’ll head out for our first sunset shoot along the river.
June 8, 2024: We’ll start very early (around 3:00 AM) in the dark to get out for our first night-shoot of the landscape and Milky Way. After sunrise and breakfast, there will be time for a break, followed by our first image review and editing session. You’ll have some downtime before eating an early dinner, then out again for the sunset shoot near the hotel.
June 9, 2024: Very early start to photograph the Milky Way over another stunning landscape. These early morning shoots of the stars offer an excellent opportunity to capture the Milky Way and dawn. After our shoot, we’ll have a big breakfast and short rest before we meet again for the afternoon image review and editing session. Another early dinner before heading out for sunset. Following the sunset shoot near the hotel, it will be time to get to bed early for another long day ahead.
June 10, 2024: Early morning to photograph the night skies and Milky Way. We’ll enjoy another great breakfast following the morning shoot, then check out of the hotel. Today, we’ll head up into Big Bend National Park. We’ll take the scenic drive into the Chisos Mountains and check in to our mountain lodge, where we’ll be spending two nights. We’ll have an early dinner before heading out to one of many magnificent vistas for the sunset shoot.
June 11, 2024: Very early start again to spend more time photographing the galactic center of the Milky Way and a wonderful landscape. We’ll have time for a hearty breakfast and quick rest. Then we’ll be off to spend some time exploring the landscape in the park for the afternoon and sunset.
June 12, 2024: After our sunrise shoot, we’ll have breakfast and checkout. Then we’ll make our way back to our first hotel, where we’ll spend time learning techniques to process the night photographs captured. We’ll break for an early dinner and sunset shoot.
June 13, 2024: Depending on the weather, we’ll take our last chance to photograph the Milky Way together. Another hearty breakfast, then goodbye.
Fitness
Moderate: You are able to handle short walks to shoot locations with some uneven and rocky surfaces, sometimes in the dark.
Flights
Arrive Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF), Midland, Texas anytime on April 13, 2023. Flights out can be made after 6:00 PM on April 20, 2023.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $900 supplement.
All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
All permits and park fees.
All transportation during the workshop.
Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
Travel to and from Lajitas Golf Resort.
Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
Items of a personal nature.
Alcoholic beverages.
Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Payment Terms
Your deposit of $2,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
The balance is due not later than May 1, 2024.
All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.