Olympic National Park
July 22 – 28, 2026
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Bisti Badlands
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At a Glance
Location
New Mexico, USA
Tuition
$7,995
Dates
October 9 – 15, 2026
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Bisti Badlands Photography Workshop
Otherwordly Landscapes in the New Mexico Desert
October 9 – 15, 2026
- Beautiful sandstone formations, remote desert, and vast starry skies
- Fully outfitted camping for unparalleled access to far-flung locations
- Learn to illuminate the landscape with low light
Northwest New Mexico is an extraordinary place. De-Na-Zin (Bisti) and Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah are a maze of sculpted forms that feel otherworldly. Ancient seas laid the layers. Wind, rain, and time carved them into hoodoos, caprocks, clay ribs, and fins. Petrified wood and subtle color bands add texture from grand near/far compositions to tight abstracts, and night drops a sky bright enough to frame the formations against the stars.
We work the sweeping desert light at sunrise and sunset, then stay for dark-sky sessions that reward patience and technique. After several days in Bisti, we shift to a comfortable camp beside formations in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, trading drive time for more time among the hoodoos.
For two nights, you’ll sleep in roomy, stand-up tents with cots, thick pads, and warm sleeping bags. A separate dining tent serves hearty hot meals and snacks, with water and lighting on hand. Our crew handles cooking, camp hygiene, and safety so you can stay focused on the light, the weather, and your images.
Instruction is hands-on throughout, with focused practice in near/far compositions, focus stacking, night landscapes, and more. We work alongside you to improve composition, camera technique, and post-processing, so your photography sees improvements long after the workshop ends.
We tread lightly around fragile features and use thoughtful illumination that supports the landscape rather than overpowering it. You’ll head home with a cohesive set of daylight studies and elegant night frames, plus a confident field-to-edit workflow you can apply to any desert labyrinth.
Your Pros
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
October 8, 2026: Early Arrival in Durango, Overnight at Strater Hotel
We recommend arriving a day before the start of the workshop in Durango, Colorado, and spending the night at the Strater Hotel at your expense.
You will be responsible for driving to Farmington, NM, by 1:00 PM the following day. There are private taxis to transport you if you wish not to rent a vehicle from Durango. Or we will assist you with ride sharing. We will update you with all the possibilities before the workshop, including the name of our hotel in Farmington.
October 9, 2026: Travel to Farmington, Sunset and Stars at Shiprock with Navajo Guide
Arrive in Farmington, NM, by 1:00 PM. Expect an early dinner so we can make it out to our location at the base of Shiprock for sunset and stars. Our Navajo guide will accompany us to the best locations.
October 10, 2026: First Processing Session, Late Lunch, Sunset at Bisti Badlands
After breakfast, we will have our first processing session. After a late lunch, we will again head out to photograph the fantastic formations for sunset and stars at Bisti Badlands.
October 11, 2026: Breakfast, Explore, Photograph Ah Shi Sle Pah, Start Camping
After breakfast, we will leave to go camping below Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. This afternoon we will explore and photograph the amazing formations of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah.
October 12, 2026: Sunrise at Camp, Explore Nearby Formations, Overnight in Tents
Sunrise shoot at the formations. Lunch in camp and we’ll plan another hike to a nearby formation. Overnight camping.
October 13, 2026: Sunrise at Ah Shi Sle Pah, Return to Farmington, Evening Processing or Shooting
Sunrise shoot at Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. Breakfast then we’ll pack up and drive back into Farmington to our hotel. We like to arrive around 1:00 PM and spend a few hours in our meeting room before we check in to our rooms. Depending on conditions, we’ll head back out to a sunset and star shoot or continue our processing lessons at the hotel.
October 14, 2026: Post Processing Session, Evening Sunset and Star Photography
We’ll have another great breakfast and meet in our private meeting room for more post-processing utnil the afternoon. We’ll head back out to another sunset and star shoot.
October 15, 2026: Final Breakfast, Image Review, Depart for Durango
Breakfast and final image review before returning to Durango, CO. Flights home can be scheduled anytime after 2:00 PM.
Life in Camp
During this workshop, you will be camping for two nights in our fully outfitted wilderness camp. Each person will be in a large tent (large enough to stand up in) shared with another guest. Everyone is provided with a cot, thick comfortable pad, and sleeping bag, and some lighting is provided inside the tents.
A separate dining tent with tables for eating will be available for everyone at all hours. Plenty of cool or hot water is available at all times, along with snacks, including fresh fruits. The outfitters are trained in wilderness cooking and wilderness first aid. Sanitary hand washing stations are set up for use.
Fitness
Moderate: Hikes up to two miles in New Mexico desert conditions.
Flights
Arrive Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado anytime on October 8, 2026. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on October 15, 2026. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
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 $480 supplement. (Hotel Only)
- 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.
- Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
- Camp bedding: cot, sheet and sleeping bag
- Many hours of basic and advanced Lightroom instruction.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Farmington NM.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $480 supplement. (Hotel Only)
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $3,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than July 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
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