Galaxy & Nebulae Photography Lessons, Stunning Retreat set in Pristine Star-filled Skies, Personal Chef Experience, Romantic Starlit Picnic, Stargazing Tour, Pampering + More

4 days 3 nights (over a weekend), 8 guests, Suitable for Beginner (I've never used a camera), to Intermediate Photographers, Age 21+ Event, $2150 - $3850 per person

APPLY HERE

Together Under the Stars is a magical, starlit retreat designed for people who want to share the wonder of the night sky with each other.

This Summer, spend 4 days & 3 nights under some of the most star-filled skies in the USA. You'll learn how to use a telescope to take your very own images of galaxies and nebulae... guided by experts Ian Lauer & Cathrin Machin.

This is a fun and laid-back retreat set amongst the peaceful Arizona wilderness. The best part - no prior experience or complicated gear required! We provide telescopers, trackers, and easy-to-follow techniques.

Enjoy intimate stargazing picnics, guided telescope sessions, and magical couples’ photoshoots under the Milky Way. Every evening, you’ll savour gourmet meals prepared by a private chef, followed by unwinding by a campfire with celestial storytelling.

Designed for beginners and casual stargazers. We will cover how to plan, shoot, and process images of outer space.

With one-on-one and group instruction, you’ll leave not only with stunning images of the night sky but also with shared memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a unique way to spend time together, Together Under the Stars is an invitation to slow down, look up, and fall in love all over again... both with each other and with the universe.

  • WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?

    If you and your partner (or friend) think space is absolutely incredible, and you think learning to photograph it together would be really cool, this is the workshop for you. Whether you've never taken a photo before, or if you've been photographing the night sky for a few years, this workshop will be easy-going and fun. Allowing you to learn the secrets to capturing beautiful space images in a stunning location. We've scheduled this over a weekend to allow you to take minimal time off work.

  • WHAT ARE WE PHOTOGRAPHING?

    We'll be using Telescopes to capture Rho Ophiucus, the jewel box of the sky, the Veil Nebula, and more.

    Each evening we'll enjoy stunning star-filled skies, and each day we'll process our data so you go home with 1-3 stunning images and the experience to do it all again when you get back out there by yourself.

  • WHERE IS ALTON, UTAH

    NEAREST AIRPORTS:

    Cedar City, UT (CDC) — ~52 mi (≈1h drive)

    Las Vegas (LAS – Harry Reid Intl.) — ~3h50m drive (≈206 mi)

    Whilst its a good drive, accessing the darkest skies requires getting away from people and we promise it's worth it.

    We will help organise car pooling and will support you in planning your transportation.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✔️Deep Space Astro Photography Classes, individual tuition, and group demonstrations with Ian Lauer & Cathrin Machin
✔️3 nights of Accommodation in a stunning log cabin with private, exclusive use of the entire 250 acre ranch. + Option to extend an extra night
✔️Telescope & Star Tracker you bring a mirrorless or DSLR camera and a tripod, we'll bring the rest.
✔️Stunning Dark Skies Enjoy a breath-taking star-scape in some of the darkest skies in the USA.
✔️  Starlit Picnic & Night Sky Tour with amazing tales from ancient civilizations around the world.
✔️24-hour snack bar with delicious cakes, cookies, fruit, vegetables, coffee, and tea.
✔️Wine Service with every evening meal.

✔️Personal Chef Dining Experience includes brunch & dinner, prepared by a talented personal chef. We can cater meals that fit your specific dietary needs and preferences, just let us know in the application. We've got you covered!
✔️Starlit Couples Photoshoot the perfect way to remember this magical adventure
✔️ Morning Coffee Service, ready to greet you for the perfect start every day.
✔️Spa water and filtered tap water available at all times throughout the workshop.
✔️ Pre and Post Workshop Zoom Classes - get a head start on the workshop and join our follow-up with the instructors to re-cap the painting methods.

NOT INCLUDED

✖️ Airfare or travel to and from the event location
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Tips for the staff
✖️ DSLR/ Mirrorless Camera & Tripod (We can provide recommendations if you don't yet have a camera)
✖️ Laptop (We will provide specifications upon selection)
✖️ Extra costs you might incur on your own

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Welcome Welcome, My name is Cathrin (feel free to call me Cat) and my husband, Ian Lauer. We've been involved in the Astronomy world for over a decade.

Ian, is an incredibly talented deep space photographer, but most of all, he's amazing at making the process of learning, simple and easy to master. He's spent many years as a telescope industry insider and received an Astrophysics Degree from Cal Poly Humboldt.

My name is Cat, I'm a full-time space artist and deep space photographer. I've been lucky enough to create work for space agencies and have incredible clients all over the world.

Our whole mission is to help you have the most incredible experience and to show you the stars like never before.

  • PRIVATE LODGE

    Located in a gorgeous dark sky location, your comfy accommodation awaits. You'll arrive to a freshly made room set in a 5500sq ft log cabin 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, so you can focus on learning.

  • PERSONAL CHEF

    Enjoy mouth watering and decedent meals by our personal chef. They'll able to cater to all your dietary needs, you let us know when you require and we'll make it happen!

    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 wines and mocktails in our 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. We take care of it all so you can focus on learning and having fun.

  • DAY 1

    We kick the event off 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 in to the first group training session on the camera settings and how to use the trackers. We'll then head outside for our first night of capturing the universe.

  • DAY 2

    We always start with a lazy morning. You'll be greeted with fresh coffee and a delicious brunch, then we'll head into our morning editing session, reviewing the data we took from our previous night. There's then time to relax and have a nap followed by a group dinner, then the evening we do a couples photoshoot under the stars, then do our group training session and head out and shoot again.

  • DAY 3

    We'll be doing all the wonderful usual events during the day, but in the evening we'll be hosting a Starlit Picnic and Night Sky Tour!

    Beneath the milky way, while our cameras are capturing the universe, we'll lay under the stars, enjoy smores, delicious desserts, Hot Cocoa & stories from ancient civilizations

  • DAY 4

    After a relaxing morning, you'll wake up to coffee, and we'll be hosting a special goodbye breakfast. Then we'll have time to pack up, and finish off with a graduation party and group photoshoot. We wrap up around 1pm to give you time to travel home if you're due to start work the next day.

  • Day 0 - EXTRA DAY

    (OPTIONAL) Want to stay over an extra night? No worries. Whilst this day doesn't cover any food or tuition, you are free to use the telescopes for an extra night of shooting. During the day, feel free to adventure to Bryce Canyon. This costs $160 per room for the night with a checkout by 2pm.

SELECTION PROCESS

Since there are only 8 spaces and we typically 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 to learn more so we can make this an incredible experience for you both.

You'll get to ask any questions you need before making any commitments. And you can then choose to pay in full or as a deposit with payment plan, after we chat.

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.

You may choose to extend your stay an extra night for 160 USD, whilst no training or chef will be on this day, it will allow you time to visit the local sites such as Meteor Crater or the Petrified Forest National Park, and catch an early flight the following day.

  • Queen Room

    Queen Bed with Shared Bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (3 rooms left)
    1 guest - $3,250 per person
    2 guests - $2,450 per person

  • Queen With Private Bath

    King Bed with Ensuite Bathroom
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (1 rooms left)
    1 guest - $3,450 per person
    2 guests - $2,650 per person

  • King Suite With Private Bath

    King Bed Suite, private bath with jet tub & shower
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (1 room left)
    1 guest - $3,850 per person
    2 guests - $3,050 per person