4 days 3 nights (Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun), 8 guests, Lunar Photography, Suitable for Beginner (I've never used a camera before), to Intermediate Photographers, Age 21+ Event, $2200 per guest

Stunning Private Lodge | Expert Photography Tuition | Personal Chef Experience | Wine Tasting | Starlit Tours + more

The Supermoon is rising! This November, experience Earth's beautiful companion like never before. Join Astro-photographers Ian Lauer, Cathrin Machin, and 7 other soon to be Astro photographers, to learn how to capture it's stunning details in ways you never thought possible.

If you're a "look at the moon" type of person who's always wanted to capture it in all its glorious beauty, this is the workshop for you.

You'll learn how to use telescopes, trackers, and processing techniques that will allow you to capture incredible details, create colourful mineral moon shots, and stunning lunar landscape shots. You'll also learn how to plan shots to create magical compositions.

Stay in a gorgeous private lodge, where you'll get to enjoy delicious meals from an incredible personal chef as well as wine tasting and more.

You'll be leaving this retreat with an amazing collection of Moon photos, lifelong friends, and the skills & confidence to continue capturing the cosmos on your own.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Ian Lauer: I’ve been working with telescopes and teaching people how to use them, for well over a decade. After I completed my astrophysics degree I worked in the telescope industry putting systems together for places like NASA, professional observatories, and tens of thousands of everyday people. I run these workshops to help everyday people get started on the amazing journey into Astro Photography.

Cathrin Lauer: I'm a professional Astro artist and one of my specialties is in the processing of Astro images. I've been using photo manipulation software for over 30 years, and a little known fact about me, is that I post-process Astro images for a number of prolific Astro photographers. I'm here to help you make your data shine.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Lunar Photography Classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with world-class astrophotography teachers. Training on telescopes/telephoto lenses, photo planning, lunar photography, and image processing.
  • 3 Nights of Accomodation in a stunning lodge with private, exclusive use of the entire estate.
  • The November Supermoon, the last Supermoon of 2024, where the Moon will appear bigger and brighter than an ordinary full Moon.
  • Personal Chef Dining Experience includes brunch & dinner prepared by a personal chef & Registered Dietition who will cook the most delicious meals that fit your specific dietary needs.

  • 24-hour snack bar with delicious cakes, cookies, fruit, vegetables, and tea.
  • Spa water and filtered tap water available at all times throughout the workshop.
  • Wine service with every evening meal.
  • Guided Night Sky Tour with amazing tales from ancient civilizations around the world.
  • Photography locations to get those stunning Lunar Landscape Photos that will leave you speechless!
  • Delicious Coffee, ready to greet you for the perfect start every morning.
  • Access to a private group with Cathrin Machin and Ian Lauer and other retreat participants.
  • Pre and Post Workshop Zoom Classes - get a head start on the workshop and join our follow-up with the instructors to recap the processing methods.

NOT INCLUDED

  • Airfare or travel to and from the event location
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for the staff
  • Extra costs you might incur on your own
  • Some Equipment, EG mirrorless camera, tripods (an equipment list will be sent to you several months before the event)

  • WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?

    This event caters beginners to intermediate level photographers, from those who've never handled a DSLR camera to those who've tried their hand at Lunar photography. This is a 21+ event

  • WHAT ARE WE SHOOTING?

    • High-resolution Moon Photography
    • Stunning Lunar Landscape Photography
    • Moon with a foreground subject
    • Colourful Mineral Moon
    • Composite Moon shots

  • WHAT IF I'M NOT VERY TECHNICAL?

    We've got you! We use easy to follow and positive coaching with lots of hand-on time. You'll be supported step-by-step with one-on-one and group tuition time. We believe in you!

  • HOW DO I GET THERE?

    The location is in Show Low, Arizona. If you're flying, Tuscon AZ and Phoenix AZ are the closest major airports, Show Low also has a regional airport. We host a meeting early on to help coordinate transport and carpooling.

WHAT TO BRING

REQUIRED

  • Mirrorless or DSLR camera
  • Intervelometer (if your camera does not have one built-in)
  • Heavy Duty Tripod
  • Heavy Duty Ballhead
  • Long Focal Length Lens of 400mm or more (Note: its possible to rent one or use a teleconverter on a smaller lens. We're happy to help guide you)

We will provide 250mm Redcat51 telescopes - just in case!

  • PRIVATE LODGE

    Located in a gorgeous dark sky location, your comfy accommodation awaits. You'll arrive to a freshly made room set in a large private lodge that for 4 days and 3 nights, will be your home away from home.

    Choose to have a private room or share with a friend or partner for a significant discount. We've taken care of making sure you feel comfortable and pampered, so you can focus on learning.

  • PERSONAL CHEF

    Enjoy mouth watering and decedent meals by Chef Harrison. As a registered dietitian he can cater your specific dietary requirements too.

    Both brunch and dinner will be provided. Feel free to explore the local town and enjoy many of the amazing restaurants for lunch.

  • WINE TASTING & SNACK BAR

    Savoir the incredible hand-picked wine in our wine tasting experience and enjoy daily wine service with evening meal. And not to forget, the snack bar is open 24 hours - we've got your snacks covered!

    Fresh Fruit, Cookies, Spa Water, Tea and Coffee will be available around the clock whenever you need.

NEXT STOP...THE MOON

We're focusing on capturing the Earth's closes neighbor - the Moon!

As a bonus, this workshop falls on the November Supermoon, the final Supermoon of 2024! This means the Moon will be bigger and brighter than a normal full Moon.

Some days we will stay at the lodge to photograph the Moon, other nights we'll venture into the desert to capture the Moon in all its glory.

As always, we schedule in a late morning and nap time to compensate for the late nights.

  • DAY 1

    We kick off the event at 4pm. We'll start with introductions, get you settled into your room, have our welcome party, and evening meal. Then we'll jump right into the first group training session on camera settings, and how to plan Moon photography shots. We'll then head outside to go over Moon photography basics before capturing the Moon as it rises in the eastern horizon. You will learn how to use star trackers, then capture detailed shots of the Moon for Lunar Composites and the Mineral Moon.

  • DAY 2

    We always start with a lazy morning. You'll be greeted with your personalized coffee and a delicious brunch, then we'll head into our editing session, reviewing the data taken the previous night. Then it's time to relax and nap before we head out in the late afternoon to our shooting location, where we'll photograph the Supermoon as it rises in the east. You will learn how to shoot the Moon with a foreground subject, making it appear large.

    After returning for dinner, we'll setup to capture detailed images of the Supermoon.

  • DAY 3

    After a relaxing morning, we'll head back into another editing session to refine our editing skills and techniques before preparing for a Night Sky Party under the Moon!

    After our final session of capturing the Moon, we'll lay under the stars, enjoy a tour of the night sky with smores, delicious desserts, hot cocoa, and star stories from ancient civilizations.

  • DAY 4

    After a relaxing morning, you'll wake up to a cup of coffee, and we'll host a special goodbye breakfast.

    After you'll have time to complete all the data transfers and pack up ready for the graduation party and group photoshoot, before saying our goodbyes.

    We'll meet up again online after the workshop to catch up and go over some of the data processing.

SELECTION PROCESS

Since there are only 8 rooms and we receive more applications than we can cater for, the application portal will only be open for a few weeks.

If you'd like to come on this incredible adventure, we recommend you fill out the application ASAP. If we can't fit you into this workshop, we'll place you as first pick for future workshops where possible.

We'll organize a quick chat prior to selection to make sure this workshop is right for you and so we can make this an incredible experience. You'll get to ask any questions you need before making any commitments.

ROOMS & PRICING

The Room price includes personal chef cooked brunch & dinner, expert tuition, night sky tour, and so much more.

Prices are for the entire workshop (not per day) and payment plans are available, plus significant discounts if you share a room with a friend or partner.

  • Twin Singles Room

    2x Twin Beds with Shared Bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (1 room left)
    1 guest - $2,200 per person
    2 guests - $1,790 per person

  • Double Room

    Double Bed with Shared Bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (2 rooms left)
    1 guest - $2,200 per person
    2 guests - $1,790 per person

  • Queen Room

    Queen Bed with jack & jill Bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (2 rooms left)
    1 guest - $2,400 per person
    2 guests - $1,890 per person

  • King Room

    King Bed with private bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (1 rooms left)
    1 guest - $2,600 per person
    2 guests - $1,990 per person

  • King Suite Room

    King Bed Suite with private bath & Balcony
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (1 room left)
    1 guest - $2,900 per person
    2 guests - $2,290 per person