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Vision Series – White Sands
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At a Glance
Location
New Mexico
Tuition
$5,995
Dates
March 22 – 26, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 12 Guests
Collections
- Learning Lab
- Short Escape
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Vision Series – White Sands Photography Workshop
Comprehensive study of photography and composition at White Sands National Park
March 22 – 26, 2027
- Combine fieldwork with class time for impactful learning
- Photograph vibrant landscapes in White Sands NP
- Early and late access to White Sands National Park
A Deep Dive into Composition, Light, and Post-Processing at White Sands
This White Sands photography workshop invites you to explore the surreal beauty of White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Renowned for its vast gypsum dunes, rippled ridgelines, and glowing tones at sunrise and sunset, White Sands is a dream destination for landscape photography and those eager to deepen their creative vision. Over several days, you’ll capture the park’s iconic white dunes under shifting light—from soft morning pastels to the rich golden hues of late afternoon—while learning to master exposure, color balance, and composition in one of the American Southwest’s most photogenic environments. Whether you’re fine-tuning your photography techniques, experimenting with long exposures, or composing elegant dune abstracts, this New Mexico photo workshop blends technical instruction with the artistic exploration that defines world-class landscape photography.
Designed as part of our Vision Series landscape photography workshops, this immersive experience focuses on using light, texture, and creative composition to transform simple dune scenes into powerful images. Guided by experienced instructors, this photography workshop will refine both your technical craft and artistic intent in one of the world’s most photogenic desert environments.
Each day begins in the classroom, where we explore how composition, light, color management, and post-processing work together to shape the final image. After lunch, we head into the field to put those concepts into practice among the dunes, working into the golden hour and sunset as the park’s tones and textures come alive. You will learn to recognize and control subtle shifts in white balance, color space, and dynamic range so that your captures match the images you have in mind.
Expect an immersive learning experience throughout, with targeted sessions on focus stacking, compression, colour management, visual design, layers in Photoshop, local adjustments, and more. We guide you toward clearer intent and stronger execution, helping you with composition, camera settings, and post-processing so your photography keeps improving long after you return home.
This is more than a photo tour. It is a structured learning experience that asks you to slow down, pre-visualize, and refine your approach from pre-visualization to final edit. You will leave with a cohesive set of images from White Sands and a repeatable workflow you can apply to any landscape. For this workshop, we ask that you arrive with a working understanding of your Lightroom catalog and basic editing in Lightroom Classic or Adobe Camera Raw, and that you have Adobe Photoshop installed, so we can focus on elevating your images rather than covering the basics.For this workshop, we require that you already understand how your Lightroom Classic catalog works and that you can make basic edits in LRC and Adobe Camera Raw. You’ll also need Adobe Photoshop since we’ll be working with both programs throughout the course. You will be required to know how to perform basic editing tasks in Adobe Lightroom Classic and have a computer capable of running both programs efficiently.
Your Pros
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
March 22, 2027: Alamogordo Workshop Kickoff: Introductions, Dinner, and Prep
We will meet in the lobby of our hotel in Alamogordo NM at 5:00 PM local time. If you plan to fly in on this day, we will have a scheduled pickup at a hotel near the airport in El Paso, Texas, at 3:00 PM. Once everyone is gathered in our private meeting room in the hotel in Alamogordo, we will begin our workshop with introductions and short presentations about what’s to come. We’ll enjoy our first dinner together and prepare for class the following morning.
March 23, 2027: Photography Essentials: Private Meeting Room Learning, White Sands Field Practice
Class starts after breakfast at 8:00 AM.
Everyone will be given a folder of lesson notes making it easier to follow along.
- Composition–how to use all the elements within an image and understand all the variables such as alignment, balance, shape, aspect ratio, etc.
- A short break.
- You’ll learn about Lightroom Classic preperations to continue your workflow into Photoshop. And why so many aspects such as white balance, sharpening and various other settings are very important to adjust prior to moving into Photoshop.
- Lunch.
- Presentation on camera settings
- 2-3:00 PM, Field time! You’ll visit the White Sands NP within a 15 min drive. You’ll have an understanding of specific creative goals to practice in an amazing setting.
- Dinner.
March 24, 2027: Advanced Techniques and Review: White Sands Sunset and Blue Hour Experience
Class begins at 8:00 AM
- We’ll begin with a review of yesterday’s images, going over learned compositional techniques and colors.
- Short break
- You’ll learn how the layers palette in Adobe Photoshop works, covering topics such as managing layers, adding contrast, and controlling color.
- Lunch
- This composition presentation will follow up on the first day’s lessons about how to use balance, scale, color, and contrast to create a look and feel in your images.
- 3:00 PM, Field time! You’ll return to White Sands for more time in the field practicing what you just learned. You’ll have time to spend in this amazing location until well after sunset and into blue hour.
- Dinner
March 25, 2027: Final Touches: Workflow Mastery, Last Sunset at White Sands
Class begins at 8:00 AM
- We’ll begin with a review of yesterday’s images, going over learned compositional techniques and colors.
- Short break
- Presentation on workflow using Lightroom Classic and Photoshop to maximize your image post-processing.
- Lunch
- Classroom time to work on your own images with the instructor’s assistance.
- 3:00 PM, We will return to White Sands for our final sunset and blue hours shoot.
- Dinner
March 26, 2027: Wrapping Up: Post-processing Tools and Farewell Ride to El Paso
Class begins at 8:00 AM
- You’ll learn about plugins and various other tools used for post-processing.
- Classroom time to practice what you’ve learned with the instructor’s assistance.
- Class ends by 11:00 AM
For those who need a ride to El Paso, a van will take you.
Vision Series
Each workshop in the Vision Series is designed to blend classroom instruction with in-the-field training to elevate your technical skills and creative vision. Over several days, you'll explore composition, lighting, camera techniques, and visual storytelling.
Each day begins with focused classroom sessions led by experienced instructors, covering topics like exposure, light, beginning and advanced composition, and post-processing. Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of post-processing software, as editing plays a key role in the creative process.
In the afternoons, you'll head into the field— natural landscapes—to apply what you've learned. Instructors provide real-time feedback and hands-on support, reinforcing concepts through practice.
The workshop includes one-on-one guidance, group critiques, and creative challenges designed to stretch your perspective and sharpen your eye. Whether you're looking to build a solid foundation or refine your creative voice, this experience offers structured growth and inspiration.
By the end, you'll leave with improved technical skills, a clearer artistic direction, and a path to complete your portfolio with personal vision.
Fitness
Moderate: Short walks on sand dunes
Flights
Arrive at El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso before 2:00 PM on March 22, 2027. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on March 26, 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 $560 supplement.
- Scheduled airport transfers.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Many hours of basic and advanced Lightroom instruction.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 3 pros.
- Lesson Handouts
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from El Paso, Texas.
- 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 $560 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $3,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than November 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll learn to improve your skills in exposure, color balance, and composition, focusing on using light, texture, and creative composition. The workshop covers focus stacking, compression, color management, visual design, and layers in Photoshop, helping you refine both technical skills and artistic vision.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150–91 days, you’ll get a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90–61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given 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 has a maximum capacity of 12 participants, ensuring personalized attention and guidance from the three professional instructors.
A moderate fitness level is required, as the workshop involves short walks on sand dunes. Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces.
Bring a range of lenses, such as wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes, and a sturdy tripod for long exposures. A laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop installed is essential for post-processing sessions.
Yes, all meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop are included. However, alcoholic beverages and 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 that might affect your travel plans.
