NEW MOON WITH MILKY WAY & MOONLIGHT
LAT 43.7904° N BORTLE 1 – 3 RUNTIME: 7 DAYS/5 NIGHTS OR 5 DAYS/3 NIGHTS
under the Darkest Skies left in the West.
Experience the beauty of the night sky from alpine wilderness areas to rare superblooms in remote badlands. Our photography workshops and tours focus on landscape photography and astrophotography, with small groups of 6-8 photographers, scheduled around new moon and moonlight conditions. Led by Brad Goldpaint, Astronomy Photographer of the Year.
§ 02 · 2026 SCHEDULE
⊕ Milky Way above peak fall colors
Crested Butte, Colorado
Physical Difficulty: Easy
38°52'59.99" N -106°56'22.19" W
Dates
September 29 – October 3, 2026
Only 2 Spaces Remain!
§ 03 · 2027 SCHEDULE
36°30'19.40" N -117°04'45.87" W
Dates
March 14 - 18, 2027
Dates
March 6 - 12, 2027
§ 03 · INSTRUCTOR
I started teaching people how to photograph the night sky and the Milky Way back in 2013, with one simple goal:
“To reconnect people with the simple beauty of the night sky that’s slowly fading from our modern world.”
Every workshop I’ve planned since has been built around that idea. Thirteen years later, I’ve been lucky enough to share countless, unforgettable moments under the night sky with people from all over the world.
The experiences and community we’ve built around these astrophotography tours is what keeps me going. It pushes me to create new experiences and to watch incredible artists stretch and expand their own creativity and share their vision in our Goldpaint Photography Alumni collection and private group.
SEEN IN:
§ 04 · WHY JOIN ME
01
When you’re with me in the field, my attention is on you. Your composition, your settings, your approach. I never bring my camera to a workshop and I believe it’s the standard every workshop should hold.
02
We always limit the class size of our workshops. This gives you more one-on-one time when we’re in the field and during our post-processing classes. When you need help, we’ll be there for you.
03
Every participant leaves with a 60+ page booklet, covering RAW workflow, exposure blending, panoramic stitching, focus stacking, and more using Photoshop.
04
Each locations has been selected for it’s compositional variety, accessibility, and distance from light pollution. Locations vary from 1-3 on the bortle scale containing some of the darkest skies left in the Western US.
05
We start in the classroom: planning apps, equipment, settings, where the Milky Way will be and when.
After a couple nights shooting, we’ll dive into post processing, classroom style, in Camera RAW and Photoshop.
06
Whether it’s your first night out with a tripod or you’ve been chasing the night sky for years, you will come away with new skills, a stronger approach, and a different way of approaching your night images.
§ 05 · FAQ's
Most of what people ask before signing up. If something here isn’t covered, write to me directly; I read every email.
How are your workshops different from other photography tours?
Unlike standard photo tours that prioritize the instructor’s images and itineraries, my astrophotography workshops focus on you, your images and your experience.
Groups are capped at 6 – 8 participants so every person gets one-on-one instruction on technique, composition, and post-processing.
Some of my workshops use moonlight to naturally illuminate foreground elements, creating distinctive images unlike any other workshop has offered.
Do you bring your cameras to the workshop?
No. I leave my camera at home, during every workshop, every time.
Your workshop is about your interests, your growth, your images, and your experience.
This commitment sets my workshops far apart from the rest, ensuring each student has my undivided attention.
How many participants can attend?
6 participants with 1 instructor, or 8 participants with 2 instructors. Never more.
This allows one-on-one attention and room for everyone to explore.
Often joined by night sky expert Evie Wilder, these workshops blend fun, adventure, education, and community for photographers of all levels.
What will I learn during your photo workshops?
Our workshops cover the full spectrum from planning, learning how to capture the Milky Way, and post processing your images. You’ll learn to scout locations, select the right gear, adjust camera settings for different environments, and learn new shooting techniques.
Whether you’re new to night photography or refining your craft, you’ll gain practical skills to plan, shoot, and edit your night images.
Are these workshops for beginners?
Our night photography workshops are intended to accommodate photographers of all skill levels, from novice to professionals.
Beginners receive foundational instruction on gear selection and basic camera settings, while advanced participants delve into creative composition and sophisticated post-processing methods.
Our goal is to ensure everyone progresses at their own pace in a supportive, fun environment.
How physically demanding are the workshops?
Each workshop carries a difficulty rating.
Easy: 0.5-1 mile on flat, stable terrain.
Moderate: 2-4 miles with some elevation and uneven footing.
Strenuous: 6+ miles, technical trails, steep grades. These are only conducted in a private workshop setting only.
Check each workshop page for specifics.
What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the nature of outdoor photography workshops, we cannot offer refunds for weather-related events. We ask all participants attending our workshops to ‘come a day early, stay a day late.’ If rain is forecasted during our scheduled outings, we may offer additional shooting time. We do not offer refunds for government shutdowns and other uncontrollable factors. However, we do our best to accommodate your needs with flexible itineraries where possible. For detailed information on cancellations, rescheduling, or other terms, please review our Terms & Conditions.
§ 09 — Testimonials
“Brad is the best night photography workshop instructor I’ve ever had. His in-field guidance, organized locations, and detailed post-processing materials made this the most valuable workshop I’ve attended.”
“I just wrapped up my 2nd photography workshop with Brad, and it was even better than the first. Brad is a truly exceptional instructor: prepared, thoughtful, kind, fun, incredibly patient, and able to meet every student exactly where they are while helping them grow their skills and confidence. Beyond teaching, he goes above and beyond in every possible way, creating a supportive, encouraging environment where everyone feels comfortable, included, and motivated to learn together.”
“Brad is one of the best, most patient teachers I know. His combination of fantastic locations, gentle guidance during shooting, and hugely informative post-processing sessions can’t be beat. He keeps his workshops small, never brings his camera, and always keeps his good humor, even at 4 o’clock in the morning.”
§ 08 · BTS
