A behind the scenes shot taken during a custom small group astrophotography trip we put on in Death Valley! All the main roads to the Racetrack Playa had been flooded, so we 4x4’d this group up the back way of Lippencott Pass (brutal!) because our group REALLY wanted a night out far away from civilization.
I captured this photo of one of our trusted guides and teachers, Chris Terstegge, giving hands on lessons! After setting up camp and cooking Bison quesadillas, the two photographers in the group wanted to capture epic panoramas, so Chris was showing them focus stacking and compositions, then later how to track panoramas of the night sky! Meanwhile one of the +1’s was laying down on the warm playa just soaking in the beauty. We followed up the next morning with coffee, some editing, and a customized editing video using the photos we took together showing how to edit them together that the photographers can continue to learn from in the future. Doesn’t get much better than that :)

plan a custom astro + photography trip

We love our group trips! But we also offer individual and small group trips where we customize a time, itinerary, and gameplan together to fit your travel and photography goals! We are based out of Page, Arizona, so specialize in the Southwest and Four Corners area but also can accommodate West coast trips.

We do front-country trips in National Parks, and excel in 4x4 and backcountry astro trips as well around Page, Kanab, and Moab- we also work closely with Navajo and Hopi families and permitted guides for Northern Arizona trips on the reservation!

You can fill out the form below to get in touch with us! We can help you plan and make your dream adventure astro + photography trip come to fruition:

Pricing.

Private photography guiding and lessons with Derek starts at $1,200 for the first day, and $700 for each subsequent day after that. More costs may be incurred depending on the complexities of the logistics, extra permitting for certain areas, and travel costs to meet you.

  • Of course! Feel free to bring your spouse, family, or group of friends. Some minor transportation, food, and gear costs may be applied if I am taking care of the entire group like on 4×4 backcountry camping trips. Added members don’t incur much of a cost, however other photography guests on the trips who require lessons and attention will incur a higher fee- which is still a very cost effective way for groups of photographers to book a custom trip together!

  • We believe in an immersive yet comfortable astrophotography trip to fit your needs.

    Hotels right next to dark skies?

    4×4 us into the remote desert for night photography far away from civilization?

    A mix of both?

    We can handle that! We have comfortable and robust camping set ups for the backcountry. Practicing Leave No Trace principles, we help immerse you in nature with safety and comfort, only departing with us are unforgettable memories and stories along with incredible photographs.

  • With our private workshops, we can meet you at YOUR level: Beginner, advanced beginner, yearning for expert tehcniques?

    Along with guiding and handling the logistics to amazing shooting locations, we provide hands on in the field instruction helping you with your camera!

    Whether you need help with the fundamentals of astrophotography or advanced techniques, we show you the entire artistic workflow from start to finish! Including editing lessons in Lightroom, Photoshop, Pixinsight, and other astro softwares.

  • We specialize in planning and leading custom itineraries for your dream astro + photography trip! We are experts with planning the right time of year, moon cycle, and epic locations that fit your adventure and photography level- beginner to advanced backcountry, we make it simple and can handle all 4×4 logistics, camping, and advanced planning to set you or your small group up with the best possible conditions to capture the night sky!

what we can provide.

  • 10 years of guiding, hiking, front & backcountry travel, and astrophotography experience while planning a trip.

  • Personalized itinerary that matches your adventure and photography level and goals.

  • Hands on photography and editing techniques from an industry leading expert.

  • Start to finish workflow and artistic philosophy, with a customized editing video tutorial with the photos we take.

  • 4x4 transportation to remote areas, with camping gear and food.

  • Boat rental, permitted captain, and guiding on backcountry Lake Powell trips.

  • Comfortable camping gear for you or your group; tents, sleeping bags, pillows, water, hot food, portable shower, chairs, awnings, power stations to charge gear, starlink, refrigerated storage, coffee, and more!

  • An uplifting, safe, wildly fun, and immersive trip for those who enjoy photography and seek unique adventures into profound natural beauty that can recharge one’s soul.