BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Three Days of Desert Light & Dark Skies

November 8–10, 2026 · $1195 · Big Bend National Park, Texas

Limited to 5 Participants · New Moon Workshop

Only 3 Spots Left!

Experience one of America’s most dramatic desert landscapes beneath some of its darkest skies.

Over three days, we’ll photograph the rugged beauty of Big Bend National Park as the desert moves from golden light and sunset into blue hour, twilight, and the star-filled night sky. Along the way you’ll participate in two extended field sessions, a dedicated post-processing workshop, a live planning call, and an included group lunch—all centered around the November new moon.

This is a fully permitted event with NPS

Why Big Bend?

Desert Light. Dark Skies. An Extraordinary Landscape.

Big Bend is one of the few places in the United States where photographers can experience towering mountains, desert basins, winding river canyons and exceptionally dark skies within the same landscape. The immense scale, changing light and sense of solitude make it unlike almost anywhere else to photograph.

This workshop is designed to help you photograph the complete transition from late-afternoon desert light through sunset, blue hour and into the night sky. Together, we’ll study the landscape and work intentionally with changing light.

You’ll be able to:

• Create stronger compositions during the day

• Transition confidently into night-sky photography

• Bring the experience together through thoughtful post-processing.

Throughout the workshop, Alan will work alongside you, helping you make intentional decisions about composition, light and technique. The goal is not simply to leave Big Bend with stronger images, but with skills you can apply to every landscape you photograph.

Meet Your Instructor

Alan Stenback is a Colorado-based landscape, night-sky and commercial photographer known for capturing the relationship between wild landscapes and the skies above them.

Alan has spent years photographing remote landscapes throughout the American West and believes the best photography workshops combine technical instruction with a genuine appreciation for place.

His workshops combine practical, field-tested instruction with a thoughtful approach to composition, light and place. Rather than teaching a single formula, Alan helps photographers better understand their equipment, solve problems in real-world conditions and create photographs that feel connected to the experience of being there.

With a maximum of five participants, this workshop offers the kind of individual guidance that is difficult to provide in a larger group.

What You’ll Experience

Two Sunset-to-Stars Field Sessions

You’ll spend two afternoons and evenings photographing carefully selected areas of Big Bend National Park.

Each session will begin in the late afternoon and continue through sunset, blue hour and the night sky. This allows you to experience how a single landscape changes as the light disappears. You’ll learn how your approach, composition and camera settings need to change with it.

Potential subjects and techniques may include:

• Desert landscape composition
• Working with harsh and directional desert light
• Golden-hour and sunset photography
• Blue-hour transitions
• Night-sky and astro-photography specific skills 
• Creating compositions that connect the land and sky
• Manual focus and exposure in darkness
• Single-exposure and advanced night-sky techniques
• Panoramas, stacking or tracking when conditions and experience levels allow

Final field locations will be selected based on conditions, accessibility and careful scouting before the workshop.

Post-Processing Session

During our dedicated post-processing session, Alan will walk you through his approach to developing landscape and night-sky photographs.

We’ll work with images from the first field session so you can apply what you learn during our second night in the field.

Topics may include:

• Reviewing and selecting your strongest frames
• Establishing a clean foundational edit
• Balancing the foreground and night sky
• Noise reduction
• Stacking and blending fundamentals
• Color, contrast and detail
• Creating a natural final image without losing the feeling of the scene

Included Group Lunch

Lunch is included during our post-processing session, giving you time to recharge, review the first night and prepare for the new-moon field session ahead.

It’s also an opportunity to ask questions, troubleshoot problems and spend time together outside the field.

Pre-Workshop Planning Call

Before traveling to Big Bend, you’ll join us for a live online planning session.

We’ll discuss camera gear, clothing, physical preparation, travel logistics and what to expect during the workshop. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and make sure you arrive prepared for both the desert and the night sky.

What’s Included

• Two extended in-field sessions (Sunset – Astro) 

• Dedicated post-processing session

• One group lunch 

• Live pre-workshop planning call

• Personalized instruction throughout the workshop

• Carefully scouted photography locations

• Curated Big Bend travel and accommodations guide

What’s Not Included

• Transportation to or within Big Bend National Park

• Accommodations or camping reservations

• Big Bend National Park entrance fees

• Meals other than the included group lunch

• Travel insurance or other travel expenses 

Travel & Accommodations

Transportation

Participants will drive their own vehicles between workshop locations. A current park entrance pass or payment of the applicable entrance fee will be required; the workshop’s commercial authorization does not cover participant entrance fees.

Lodging

You get to choose the type of Big Bend stay that works best for you—from a traditional hotel room or private casita to a distinctive desert cabin or campsite inside the national park.

For your convenience, you’ll receive a curated accommodations guide featuring recommended hotels, cabins, casitas and distinctive desert stays. We recommend staying in the Terlingua or Study Butte area for the most practical access to workshop locations.

Because the workshop begins immediately after the annual Terlingua Chili Cookoff, lodging may be limited. We strongly recommend reserving your accommodations as soon as you register.

Participants should reserve accommodations for the nights of November 8 and 9. You may also wish to arrive on November 7 or stay beyond November 10 to explore the region independently.

Camping

Alan and Gina plan to camp in the Chisos Basin area during the workshop. Participants who enjoy camping are welcome to reserve their own campsite there as well. Camping is optional and is not included with registration. Campsites must be reserved independently and availability is limited.

Is This Workshop Right for You?

This workshop is a good fit if you:

• Want to improve both your landscape and astrophotography skills
• Learn best through hands-on instruction in the field
• Want to understand the complete process from capture through post-processing
• Appreciate small groups and personalized guidance
• Are comfortable working outdoors after dark
• Want to experience Big Bend beyond the typical overlooks and daytime stops
• Are prepared for a remote desert environment, changing temperatures and limited cell service

Participants should be comfortable standing and walking outdoors while carrying their own photography equipment. Specific physical requirements will be provided once the final field locations have been selected.

Investment: $1195

Your registration includes two extended field sessions, post-processing instruction, a live pre-workshop call and one group lunch. With only five participants, you’ll receive individualized guidance both in the field and during post-processing.

Reserve your place with a $500 deposit. Remaining balance due October 09, 2026.

Experience Big Bend from Desert Light to Dark Skies

Big Bend is already remarkable in daylight. Under a new moon, it becomes something else entirely.

Join us for three days of hands-on instruction as you strengthen your landscape and astrophotography skills in one of the most extraordinary places in the American Southwest. With only five spaces available, early registration is strongly recommended. 

November 8–10, 2026 · Big Bend National Park, Texas · Limited to 5 Participants

Location & Directions