New Mexico Land of Enchantment Photography Workshop

Southwest Landscapes and Night Skies

September 2 – 6, 2027

  • Gnarly junipers, ochre colored buttes, and the meandering Chama River
  • Experiment with star trails, focus stacking at night, and Photoshop
  • Learn to use lighting to illuminate the foreground of a landscape

There’s a reason New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment! It’s the landscape that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe. And there is no better time to be in New Mexico than the early fall—warm days give way to cool nights, and the atmospheric conditions are ideal for photography.

With our guidance, you will create spectacular images of New Mexico’s natural wonders. You’ll practice composition skills and learn new techniques for lighting landscapes, resulting in images unlike anything you’ve shot before. We’ll also make time for our signature image reviews and post-processing instruction in Lightroom and Photoshop.

We’ve timed our workshop to coincide with the ideal moon phase for night photography, allowing perfectly illuminated landscapes beneath the Milky Way. At our inn beneath the cottonwoods, you can expect warm hospitality, delicious meals, and ready access to our photographic destinations.

Are you ready to visit the Land of Enchantment?

Your Pro

Itinerary

This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.

September 2, 2027: Sunset and Night Photography Techniques at the Abiquiu Inn

Meet and greet on the front veranda of the Abiquiu Inn at 2:30 PM. We will take this time to review your equipment and the itinerary with you and your camera settings. We will have an early dinner to take advantage of our first sunset shoot and find nighttime compositions during the daylight hours. During our first evening shoot, we will also learn how to use low-level lighting techniques to illuminate the foreground of a landscape scene.


September 3, 2027: Early Morning River Shoots and Milky Way Night Shots

This day will be all about photographing along the Chama River. We have an early morning shoot over the river, then return for a hearty breakfast, followed by image review and processing. We will take a short break and head to an early dinner at 3:30 PM. We will head to some overlooks for sunset, where the Milky Way galactic center perfectly aligns with the scene.


September 4, 2027: Early Morning and Late Night Shoots Amidst New Mexico’s Iconic Buttes and Junipers

We will leave the Abiquiu Inn early morning to photograph the northern Milky Way against a New Mexico butte. We will practice star trails, and if you are up for a challenge, focus stacking at night. We will also shoot sunrise here before returning for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will have an image review and processing, followed by a well-deserved break. Again, we will have an early dinner followed by a sunset shoot with gnarly juniper trees in a red rock canyon. Afterward, we will photograph the night sky. Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies.


September 5, 2027: In-depth Post Processing Lessons, Sunset Photography, and Goodbye Dinner

This day will be dedicated to post-processing lessons and a sunset shoot—plan on reviewing all digital post-processing lessons and learning more about Photoshop on this day. The sunset will be a welcomed break at the end of a great day of learning, followed by a final dinner and celebration.


September 6, 2027: Departure Day

Possible sunrise shoot, breakfast, and goodbyes.


Testimonials

Amanda T.
New Mexico Land of Enchantment '25
Exceptional from start to finish. Great locations, incredible instructor, and wonderful fellow photographers-- couldn't ask for anything better!
Randy W.
New Mexico Land of Enchantment '24
The critiques infield help me focus on my compositions and get away from including all that I could. My final composition was much more focused. The class critiques helped me refine my shots and enabled me to save a shot that appeared hopeless and instead became a great shot. The classroom instruction provided an overview for all with a follow up focus for those of us who needed one on one help.
Stacy C.
New Mexico Land of Enchantment '21
I enjoyed the workshop the first time so much that I came back and I enjoyed the second one just as much.
Heather M.
Big Bend '25
It was nice to work with Joseph. He had a different approach to composition which was easy to understand. I totally appreciate his love of the mountains and the shapes they form. This speaks to my heart and I will seek out opportunities to work with him in the mountains.
Doug W.
Cirque of The Towers '24
Joseph was great. He has very good leadership skills- attentive, good sense of humor, thinking ahead and planning. He is also a very good instructor- listening to questions, giving feedback / suggestions, and not just showing how to do a particular technique, but also why and when a person might use it.
Despina T.
New Zealand '24
Joseph conducted a masterful critique and Lightroom demonstration that, while occasionally delving into moderate to advanced techniques, was communicated in a way that was clearly understood.
Gallery

Behind the Scenes

Fitness

Easy: Short walks on uneven ground

Flights

Arrive at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico before 12:00 PM on September 2, 2027. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on September 6, 2027. 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 $800 supplement.
  • All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
  • All permits and park fees.
  • All transportation during the workshop.
  • Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
  • Photographic guiding and instruction from Joseph Roybal.
  • Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!

Not Included

  • Travel to and from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • 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.
  • Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
  • Anything else specifically not listed as included.
  • Single rooming available for $800 supplement.

Payment Terms

  • Your deposit of $2,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
  • The balance is due not later than April 1, 2027.
  • All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll practice composition skills and learn new techniques for lighting landscapes, including low-level lighting for night photography. Additionally, you'll explore focus stacking at night and creating star trails, with guidance on post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Yes, this workshop follows our standard refundable policy. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150 and 91 days, refunds are given for payments exceeding 50% of tuition. Between 90 and 61 days, refunds cover payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.

The workshop is intimate, with a maximum capacity of 6 participants, ensuring personalized attention and guidance from our professional photographer.

The workshop is rated as easy, with short walks on uneven ground. It's suitable for most fitness levels, but comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Bring a sturdy tripod, a wide-angle lens (14–35mm) for capturing expansive night skies, and a remote shutter release for long exposures. Warm clothing is also recommended for cooler nights.

Yes, all meals, soft drinks, and snacks are included during the workshop. However, any meals before or after the workshop dates are not included.

While travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

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