Winner of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year | Full Story >
· WORKSHOPS / DEATH VALLEY NP
Master Milky Way photography in the pristine night skies of one of America’s darkest National Parks. Led by Astronomy Photographer of the Year Brad Goldpaint and expert Evie Wilder. Limited to 8 participants.
Group Size
8 Participants + 2 Instructors
Physical
Easy – Short Walks
Elevation
~250 ft. Below Sea Level
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
§ 02 · AVAILABILITY
36°30'19.40" N -117°04'45.87" W
Duration
7 Days + 6 Nights
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
Moon Phase
0% Illumination New Moon
Only 3 Spaces Remain
Price includes single-occupancy lodging, classroom sessions, the 60-page+ workshop booklet, and 5 in-field shoots. Meals and transportation not included.
§ 03 · The Experience
Spanning 3.4 million acres, Death Valley National Park is a landscape of stark contrasts that defies expectations. Towering sand dunes rise and fall like frozen waves, cracked salt flats stretch toward the horizon, and colorful badlands bear the scars of centuries of erosion.
In March, milder temperatures and occasional bursts of wildflowers soften and add fleeting contrast to this arid expanse. Beneath some of the darkest and driest skies in North America, this workshop focuses on the soft glow of the setting moon illuminating the desert’s intricate textures and color-rich landscapes, while the arid clarity makes the Milky Way blaze with unparalleled brilliance.
This seven-day workshop is designed for all skill & fitness levels. Immersing you in the heart of Death Valley’s dramatic landscapes while combining infield shooting, classroom tutorials, and a comprehensive 60+ page booklet that’s yours to keep.
§ 04 · What you will capture
These images represent a sample of what’s possible from the locations we’ll visit.
§ 05 · The Itinerary
A detailed itinerary is sent to every participant, months before arrival. Below is the rhythm of a typical day and adjusted nightly for weather, clouds, and what the group needs.
SAT · Mar 6
Group introduction and welcome dinner.
SUN · Mar 7
10 AM classroom session covers the syllabus, post-processing booklet, and waivers. 4 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph from 2 to 3 locations through the night, photographing the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light.
MON · Mar 8
5 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph 2 to 3 locations through the night, photographing the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light.
TUE · Mar 9
4-hour post-processing session at 1:30 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
WED · Mar 10
4:45 AM meet-up and carpool for sunrise shoot. After a long break, 5 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph from 2 locations through the night, photographing the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light.
THU · Mar 11
4-hour post-processing session at 2 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
FRI · Mar 12
4:45 AM meet-up and carpool for final sunrise shoot. Workshop concludes at 9 AM.
§ 06 · What's Included
MARCH 6 - 12, 2027
6 Nights Lodging Included
Private, single occupancy rooms are included, located inside the park and only minutes from our photography locations.
· Inside-the-park accommodation
· Single occupancy rooms for each participant
· Walking distance to shops and restaurants
01
Three all-night sessions under the stars plus two sunrises. Locations announced nightly based on conditions.
02
Two four-hour classroom sessions covering RAW adjustments, exposure blending, panoramic stitching, and advanced night techniques in Bridge & Photoshop.
03
A comprehensive, printed booklet covering every phase of planning, shooting, and post-processing the night sky in Bridge & Photoshop. This booklet is yours to keep and cannot be purchased elsewhere.
04
A four-hour orientation covering equipment, camera settings, mobile apps, and how to find and photograph the Milky Way using a variety of techniques.
05
Brad and Evie are with you every step of the way. With a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, no one gets left behind.
06
Workshop details are sent in advance with travel information, camera gear recommendations, planning apps, ‘What to Bring’ list, and a detailed, hourly itinerary of what to expect.
↳ NOT INCLUDED: Flights · Transportation · Meals · Park entrance fees · Camera gear rental · Trip insurance
§ 07 · Your Instructors
Lead Instructor
“Two passions of mine are wilderness travel and experiencing the drama of a night sky. I combine my passions with photography by teaching night photography workshops to participants of all skill levels.”
– Astronomy Photographer of the Year
– Published in National Geographic, BBC, NASA, Outdoor Photographer
– Leading workshops since 2012
Co Instructor
“I love to wander and explore! I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for the night sky, wilderness and wildlife while helping people understand that you don’t have to fear the wild side of our planet.”
– Wildlife and night sky photographer
– Wilderness guide
– Specialty: Wildlife & lunar landscapes
A NOTE FROM US
To provide you with the best learning environment possible, we limit our group size and never bring our own cameras to a workshop.
§ 08 — CURRICULUM
01
Weather predictions, exposure guides, Milky Way tracking apps.
02
Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance and more for astrophotography.
03
Manual techniques when autofocus fails.
04
Capture every stop of dynamic range in a single trip.
05
Multi-row panoramas of the Milky Way.
06
Combine multiple exposures in Photoshop.
07
How and when to use noise reduction.
08
Long-exposure and stacking workflows for star trails & stacking images.
09
Low level light painting techniques
10
How and when to use different moon phases to illuminate your foreground.
11
Lossless adjustments covering all phases of post processing.
12
Learn color grading techniques for accurate imagery of the night sky.
§ 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.”
§ 09 · FAQ's
If your question isn’t covered here, we’re always here to help.
How are your workshops different from other photography tours?
Unlike standard photo tours that prioritize the instructor’s images and itineraries, my workshops focus on you.
Groups are capped at 6 – 8 participants so every person gets one-on-one guidance on technique, composition, and post-processing.
Some of my workshops use moonlight to naturally illuminate foregrounds, creating distinctive images unlike any other workshop has offered.
Do you bring your cameras to the workshop?
No. I leave my camera at home, 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?
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 during private workshops.
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. Typically, we ask all participants attending our workshops to ‘come a day early, stay a day late.’ For our Death Valley Workshops, we have already included the extra day to accommodate a flexible itinerary.
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.
§ 10 · BTS
Good times from our previous workshops in Death Valley
§ 11 — Reserve Your Seat
Total Workshop Cost
$5,995 USD / per space
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included inside the park at Furnace Creek
Nonrefundable Deposit Due Today
$2,997.50 USD
Only 3 Spaces Remain
· Remaining balance of $2,997.50 due 120 days prior to the workshop start date
· Lodging included – single occupancy
· Deposit is nonrefundable
· Trip insurance recommended
· See our Terms & Conditions
· Questions? info@goldpaintphotography.com
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