Galaxy & Nebulae Photography Lessons, Stunning 250acre Ranch, 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, $1950 - $3450 per person

APPLY HERE

Together Under the Stars is a magical, starlit retreat designed for couples who want to share the wonder of the night sky with each other. Over four unforgettable days, you'll learn to capture breath-taking images of galaxies and nebulae—no prior experience or complicated gear required. Just easy-to-follow techniques, cozy moments, and the beauty of the universe unfolding above you.

Set on a private 250-acre ranch beneath some of the darkest skies in Oregon, this experience is about more than just astrophotography—it’s about connection. a romantic getaway, wrapped in a blanket, sipping fine wine as the stars twinkle overhead. Enjoy intimate stargazing picnics, guided telescope sessions, and magical couples’ photoshoots under the Milky Way. Every evening, you’ll savor gourmet meals prepared by a private chef, followed by unwinding by a campfire with celestial storytelling.

This is a fun and laid-back, retreat set amongst the peaceful Oregon wilderness. Designed for beginners and casual stargazers—no complicated gear, just easy-to-follow techniques that will let you learn how to use telescopes to capture the cosmos. 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 The Andromeda Galaxy, Lagoon & Triffid Nebulae, Cygnus Region, and more. Each evening we'll enjoy stunning starfilled 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 BAKER CITY, OREGON?

    Baker City, is in east Oregon. It can be accessed from Boise Ideho Airports, which is a 2h 15min drive. We'll host a meeting with all the participants a few months prior, to coordinate car pooling & transport. Accessing the darkest skies takes a bit of a drive - but we promise it's worth it.

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 RANCH

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

    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 Lisa Nguyen. From fresh stone baked pizzas though to a sizzling Korean BBQ Feast.

    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.

  • DAY 1 - Friday July 25th

    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 - Saturday July 26th

    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 - Sunday July 27th

    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 - Monday July 28th

    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 5 - EXTRA DAY Tuesday July 29th

    (OPTIONAL) We give you the option to stay over an additional night. Whilst this day doesn't cover any food or tuition. You are free to relax, adventure to nearby national parks, adventure out on the stunning local horseback riding trails, and use the telescopes for an additional night of capturing the cosmos. This is also useful for people who have to take an early flight and can't make it on the previous day.

  • DOUBLE WORKSHOP

    If you'd like to stay on and join more than one workshop, Just let us know. We will gift you the two in-between days for free. Allowing you consistent comfortable accommodation all the way through. These days you can use how you wish, adventure around the gorgeous local parks, forests, and activities, or kick back and unwind under the stars. No food or tuition is provided on these days, however baker city is an easy 15 mins drive and has several wonderful restaurants.

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 130 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.

  • Twin Singles Room

    2x Twin Beds
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (1 room left)
    1 guest - $2,650 per person
    2 guests - $1,950 per person

  • Double Room

    Double Bed with Shared Bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (2 rooms left)
    1 guest - $2,950 per person
    2 guests - $2,150 per person

  • Queen Room

    Queen Bed with Shared Bath
    Room Capacity: 👤👤
    (3 rooms left)
    1 guest - $3,200 per person
    2 guests - $2,350 per person

  • Queen + Sofabed Room

    Queen Bed with Sofa Bed
    Room Capacity: 👤👤👤
    (1 rooms left)
    1 guest - $3,450 per person
    2+ guests - $2,550 per person