One step into this desolate world will truly make you feel like you have left planet earth.
Investigate the Alien Landscape of New Mexico with Jess Santos and Ryan Oswald on this overlanding photography workshop. Hidden valleys of towering hoodoos and extraterrestrial slate formations create the perfect foreground for photographing the cosmos. During this photography workshop we will chase the Milky Way through New Mexico's remote badlands. Using advanced astrophotography techniques you will learn to capture stunning images of the night sky. Your experiences in the dark skies of this vast desert will inspire you to create imagery that truly tells a stellar story.
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This workshop is a little different...
Every attendee will have their own self-contained room on wheels! We are securing overland rigs (or similar) for this adventure because having the freedom to base camp near our locations allows us more photography time.
Together we will take you on a backcountry journey that will leave you with wild photographs and wild experiences. Many of the photography locations in this workshop are hidden amongst a vast system of backcountry trails in the Rocky Mountains and there is no better way to explore than outfitted with your very own overlanding rig.
Pack your camera, your sleeping bag and your favorite pillow... leave the rest up to us! Even the cooking, breakfast and dinner are provided on this workshop in true camping style.
(Please see adventure inclusions below for more info and/or send us a message)
TRIP DATES
September 9 - 13, 2026
TRIBE SIZE
Limited to an small group size of 10 students with 2 instructors to ensure that everyone receives our attention and to keep compositional possibilities uncluttered
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
All experience levels are welcome
HIKING REQUIREMENTS
This workshop will require moderate hiking (no more than 3 miles) through rocky or sandy terrain
ITINERARY
Pre-Workshop Zoom Classroom Session
Prior to the start of the workshop, we will hold a zoom classroom session. We will show examples of images from the locations we will be visiting so you know what to expect and how to best compose images using advanced techniques, focus blending and other tips and tricks to make for the best composition. We only get to visit each place once and we want you to be fully prepared so you can get the best images possible while in these iconic places.
Day 1
Our workshop begins at 12:00pm with a meet & greet and supply run in Farmington, NM. From there we will chat a bit and strategize for the first evening’s location, arriving very early to ensure time to travel for varying driving experience levels. After we are all stocked up on supplies and gone over the agenda, we will set out for our first sunset shooting session. After sunset, we will take a quick break to setup camp and once settled in, we will continue to photograph the stars to take full advantage of the dark skies.
Day 2
After a long night of shooting the night skies, you’ll wake up to a freshly cooked meal, camp style. Once we are all rested up and fed, we will pack our camera gear and adventure out to photograph some of our all-time favorite rock formations for some sunset, blue hour and starry night fun. Our night will be full of towering hoodoos and extraterrestrial rock formations, which create the perfect foreground for photographing the cosmos.
Day 3
We will start our next day exploring an ancient Native American archeological site and really take in the experience of the New Mexico Badlands. After getting our fill of ancient culture, we will head back to camp for a quick break before heading out for sunset to photograph the alien landscape. After an incredible day of shooting, we will head back into town to check into a hotel and grab a good night’s rest. (Hotel Room Included)
Day 4
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll head out to our last amazing location. Our last spot is one of the most iconic places in the New Mexico Badlands, so we will make sure to arrive plenty early for you to fully explore the area and immerse yourself in the experience. After setting up camp for the night we will then set out for another unforgettable night of shooting the sunset and stars.
Day 5
Our last morning together will be spent exploring and photographing the hoodoos of this magical and unearthly world. After shooting our last sunrise together, we will wrap up our amazing time together over breakfast before breaking down camp and heading out.
* We will be chasing conditions and constantly monitoring the weather. The itinerary may change based on what conditions are during the workshop.
Post-Workshop Zoom Classroom Session
We will hold our classroom time until after the workshop. Since this workshop is focused on seeing the best and most iconic places New Mexico has to offer, we chose to prioritize locations over classroom sessions during our time together. Following the workshop, we will hold live online classroom sessions answering any questions you may have. These will also be screen recorded for you to be able to finish your images at your leisure.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Planning your shoots
Scouting and evaluating conditions
Composing an image to grab the viewers attention
Composing an image with a person in frame to show scale tell a story
Utilizing apps for more efficient planning
Choosing the right lens and filters for the job
How to shoot with plan or vision or editing
Capturing your image
How to capture intimate details and abstract images
Histogram - how to read for perfectly exposed images
Exposure control - how to use ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed in different scenarios
Bracketing, Perspective Blending and Focus Stacking
Long Exposure - how to capture blue hour
Bringing the image to life
Lightroom and Photoshop - learn our post-processing workflow
Luminosity Masks
Dodging and Burning
Blue-hour Blends
Understanding layers and masks
Finishing touches using clone stamp and removing distractions
Creating Orton glows and painting with light
Build Social Media Presence - how to maximize engagement
MEET THE TEAM
Jess Santos
She calls the desert her home and first love, but she is a wanderer at heart and is constantly on the road to the next adventure.
Her photography is driven by a desire to share the stories of these wild places and her experience through her imagery. She spends sleepless nights chasing the vibrant colors of desert landscapes and the distant glow of the Milky Way.
She is very proud to belong to the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective as a Sony Alpha Brand Ambassador and an official B&H Creator. As well as Slik Tripods, Cokin Filters and F-Stop Camera Bags.
Ryan Oswald
Ryan Oswald
Ryan is a full time travel photographer & digital artist based out of St. Louis, MO, but is constantly on the move. He is often on the road for months at a time exploring the back roads and capturing iconic views.
His love for the outdoors and endless wanderlust has fueled his obsession for photography. Pursuing his passion has led to traveling extensively all across the globe and teaching photography workshops. Whether it’s chasing that perfect light or the Milky Way, Ryan is in his happy place as long as a camera is in hand!
Our goal is to leave you confident, motivated and passionate about photography with a new set of ideas and perspective! We will teach simple and actionable techniques to scout out incredible compositions and the process of how to approach and execute unique photos in any environment or conditions. The classroom portion of this adventure will teach you combination of Lightroom and Photoshop workflows and methods that allow you to create some powerful images we decided to keep the group small and intimate, thus allowing us to focus and give you much more access to the 3 instructors and 1-on-1 attention. Instructors will be with the group providing thoughts and real time critique as the light changes from sunset to the enchanting night skies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Leave the cooking up to us, breakfast and dinner are provided on this workshop in true camping style
Nearest Major Airport
Albuquerque, NM
Durango Airport and Montrose Airport are smaller, but much closer
Meeting Location
Farmington, NM
3 hour drive from Albuquerque Airport
2 hour drive from Durango Airport
4x4 High Clearance Vehicle is REQUIRED
These are backcountry roads, this means a High Clearance Vehicle with 4 Wheel Drive is REQUIRED. We are helping attendees source capable and equipped vehicles if they do not own their own, please contact us if you need assistance in securing a capable vehicle. No previous dirt road driving experience required.
Rental fees are NOT included in the tuition cost of the workshop and can range from $199 - $300 per day.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Transportation
Flights and car transportation are not included.
We are helping attendees source capable and equipped vehicles if they do not own their own.
If you would like help finding a suitable vehicle, please let us know.
Lunch/Snacks
We will be providing breakfast and dinner, but you will be responsible for your own lunches and snacks.
Travel Insurance
With any trip/adventure, it is recommended you have travel insurance, especially for medical emergencies.
Cost: $2,999
Deposit: $900 to reserve your spot
Space is limited and filling up quickly on a first come, first serve basis. With two photography instructors present for the duration of the workshop, you will have plenty of opportunity for 1-on-1 instruction to improve the skills you feel you need to work on!
Join Our Tribe and Invest in Your Passion!
* Please read the workshop F.A.Q. section to learn more about cancellation policies or if you have any other questions.