Death Valley & Beyond 2026
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
ALABAMA HILLS
March 15-20 (sunday-friday)
— Includes all accommodations —
$3,995
Incredible Natural Diversity Throughout this Breathtaking
Five Day/Five Night Milky Way and Landscape Adventure
(Limited to Five Students)
Our small group of five will get a little dirt on our tires as we make our way to and through some supremely tasty locations. This road trip begins in Death Valley, a landmark among U.S. National Parks, and it ends in the Alabama Hills on the eastern Sierra Nevada. Weather permitting, every night will make for an exciting nightscape opportunity. We should have several opportunities to consider capturing sunrise.
You will experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in the western U.S., and I can’t wait to introduce you to some of my favorite locations! This trip is a head turner, yes, this is what a desert paradise looks like during tranquil temps with early season Milky Way magic, amidst the shifting dunes, endless vistas, and connections made with kindred spirits.
where we will travel
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is known for its resonating beauty despite its harsh and unforgiving environment. The park straddles the California–Nevada border, east of the Sierra Nevada, and occupies an interface zone between the arid Great Basin and Mojave deserts, protecting the northwest corner of the Mojave Desert and its diverse environment of salt-flats, sand dunes, badlands, valleys, canyons and mountains. Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States, as well as the hottest, driest and lowest of all the national parks in the United States. The park is home to many species of plants and animals that have adapted to this harsh desert environment including creosote bush, Joshua tree, bighorn sheep, and coyote. It’s sand dunes, cracked mud, salt flats, and myriad other natural attractions make this a photographer’s paradise. We will visit the park for three full days, featuring nightscape photography (weather permitting.) The historic Amargosa Opera House will make for our base of operations during the three nights of this first leg of our trip, and I am confident that you will agree, this place is a destination unto itself.
6 Things You may not Know About death valley N.P.
At more than 3.4 million acres, Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the Lower 48
The highest recorded temperature in the world was recorded in Death Valley’s Furnace Creek at 134 Fahrenheit in July 1913
Death Valley is the driest place in the country, and in 1929, there was not a single drop of rain recorded in Death Valley
Death Valley is home to the country’s lowest point, Badwater Basin, which lies at 282 feet below sea level
Death Valley is only 76 miles from the highest point in the country, Mt. Whitney, which tops out at an elevation of 14,505 feet. In other words, the lowest and highest points in the contiguous U.S. are less than 100 miles apart!
Life abounds in Death Valley! The Park is home to more than 1000 species of plants (including 50 that are found nowhere else in the world), 300 species of birds, 51 species of mammals (including bighorn sheep and mountain lions), 36 species of reptiles and even amphibian and fish species
where we will travel
Alabama Hills
The Alabama Hills is located north-west, and just under two hours from Death Valley. The Alabama Hills are a range of hills and rock formations near the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada in the Owens Valley, west of Lone Pine in Inyo County, California. Though geographically separate from the Sierra Nevada, they are part of the same geological formation. The smooth stone formations and arches of the hills against the stunning backdrop of Mount Whitney shrouded in snow, will make exploration and composition finding exhilirating at this time of year. The Alabama Hills were named for the CSS Alabama, a Confederate warship deployed during the American Civil War. When news of the ship's exploits reached prospectors in California sympathetic to the Confederates, they named many mining claims after the ship, and the name came to be applied to the entire range.
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Allow Me to Introduce Myself
It is my privilege to share with you my knowledge of photography, which was instilled during my childhood by my late father and mentor, Lowell Anson Kenyon, Chief of the Office of Photography for the Smithsonian Institution.
My style is upbeat, and enthusiastic, and l provide a positive learning environment that nurtures your art, and grounds you in best practices through personalized instruction. My tips and time-tested techniques will help you pursue your brand of photography with greater purpose and with more intentional creativity.
I hope to share with you my passion, not only for capturing compelling photographs, but also for allowing yourself to be “captured” by the beauty and awe of this place – to connect with nature, and appreciate the relevance of our great western treasures.
These workshops are adventurous, and you will enjoy maximum time in the field.
There is no arguing that golden hour light is wonderful, but you will also learn how to maximize any lighting scenario, simply because we don’t always have the luxury of creating images in golden hour, or under perfect light for that matter. You will also be encouraged to use all of your lenses, whether that be a macro for Autumn still life compositions, or a telephoto to capture intimate landscape details otherwise far from view. Remember, you can always rent lenses if you don’t already own them.
To ensure you receive a well-rounded educational experience, following this workshop, I provide you with two-hours of HD video content from my Digital Darkroom series. The series is suitable for all skill levels in post processing, and use both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. If you are uncomfortable with Photoshop, please know there will be content processed solely in Lightroom.
So join me on Death Valley & Beyond, where filling you with memories is as important as filling your memory cards with unforgettable images.
Trip Overview
WORKSHOP SNAPSHOT
DATES: March 15-20, 2026 (Sunday-Friday) Concluding after sunrise on Friday
PRICE PER PERSON: $3,995 (five days/five nights) (Includes single occupancy lodging) Deposit of $1,995 to hold your place, with final payment due approximately 120 days prior to the trip.
GROUP SIZE: Limit 5 Students
PHOTOGRAPHY LEVEL: Beginner-Advanced
TERRAIN: Gradual slopes, sandy, sand dunes, uneven and rocky terrain
ALTITUDE: • Death Valley: Sea level • Alabama Hills: 5,350’
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate activity with treks under two miles, sandy, rocky
CLIMATE: Avg. Daytime temps: 78-82˚–– Avg. Nightime temps: 50-55˚
NEAREST TOWN(S): Lone Pine (near Alabama Hills) Amargosa (due east of Death Valley)
AIRPORT(s): Las Vegas McCarren Int’l
VEHICLE: All locations are accessible by stock, high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles
ACCOMMODATIONS: All accommodations included for both Death Valley and Lone Pine (Alabama Hills)
itinerary snapshot
TRIP VITALS: We will begin with a Meet & Greet at Amargosa Opera House on Sunday, 3/15, at 2:00 p.m. We spend three days (3/15-18) in Death Valley, and then head to the Alabama Hills on Wednesday (3/18), our new base of operations in Lone Pine, at the historic Dow Villa Hotel. The remaining two days will be spent in the Alabama Hills. On Friday morning, 3/20, we will wrap things up, and say our goodbyes after shooting sunrise, and if you don’t have to run to catch your flight, enjoy breakfast together in Lone Pine.
SHOOTING SCHEDULE: Our featured locations are not far from our accommodations. Be sure to dress for the temps (it will be cold), bring snacks, and stay hydrated! Detailed itinerary is emailed to you approximately 30 days prior to our start date.
LODGING: Death Valley: Amargosa Opera House; Lone Pine (Alabama Hills): Dow Villa Historic Hotel (Both are included in the total workshop price)
astronomical snapshot (approximate)
MORNING
Blue Hour: 7:27 a.m. - 7:37 a.m.
Golden Hour: 7:37 a.m. - 8:26 a.m.
Sunrise: 7:52 a.m.
EVENING
Golden Hour: 7:24 p.m. - 8:13 p.m.
Sunset: 7:58 p.m.
Blue Hour: 8:13 p.m. - 8:23 p.m.
Milky Way: 3:15 a.m. - 6:24 a.m.
We plan to explore breathtaking scenery,
I can’t wait to share some of my favorite locations!
Hope you join us!
This Workshop Includes
I love sharing my knowledge of photography, and I trust these amazing places will inspire you. So come and enjoy an exciting, educational, and fun western adventure, all the while knowing that I am there to guide you through each photographic opportunity.
PLEASE NOTE: We will schedule a pre-trip Zoom meeting within 30 days of the workshop
We Will Explore (subject to change):
Bad Water Basin Salt Flats
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Artist’s Palette
Zabriskie Point
Race Track
Amazing locations in Alabama Hills
Instruction will Include
I will guide you through my workflow in the field, the art of approaching the scene, compositional techniques, scouting and strategy, and some creative philosophy to help you elevate your photography to new heights. From scouting and planning using my recommended phone apps, to my complete Milky Way workflow in the field, you will come away equipped with the knowledge, creative insight, and practical applications to achieve your goals.
instructional nightscape GUIDE
You will receive, via email, my “Capture the Night” guide to nightscape photography (PDF). This guide will review camera setup and settings that optimize your photography for both daytime and night photography.
PERSONALIZED Digital Darkroom INSTRUCTION
At no additional charge, each student will receive a two-hour post processing instructional video (available for download after the workshop), from my Digital Darkroom series, where I fully edit a Milky Way blue hour blend using my post processing workflow, and include the RAW files associated with the video, so that you may process the image alongside the video.
I also include a one and one half hour private session, via video conference, where I personally share with you my workflow, in order to reinforce the process, and answer your questions.
FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN
RECEIVE A DISCOUNT WHEN YOU BOOK
PRIVATE VIRTUAL SESSIONS WITH ME.
This Workshop Does Not Include
No transportation: Drive a 4 Wheel or all wheel drive high clearance vehicle. (car pooling recommended for fewer vehicles on trail)
No food/beverages will be provided
There is no insurance provided to cover your travel, trip, your gear, or your vehicle. (Trip insurance is recommended)
No camera gear is provided
There may be little or no cellphone coverage in the workshop locations
What to Bring
GEAR
Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with a wide aperture (i.e., f/2.8 or wider) lens.
Lenses: Wide angle: 14-24mm, Mid-range: 24-70mm, Telephoto: 70-200mm, 80-400mm, etc.(as noted in full frame focal lengths)
Solid tripod and head
Wired shutter release or wireless remote release, for long bulb-mode exposures (if camera is not equipped)
Extra batteries for everything that takes batteries. You’ll thank me.
Extra memory cards, so you don’t miss a single shot
Lens cleaner/blower to save you from dust gremlins
Circular Polarizer (if you only have one filter in your bag, this is it)
3-stop or variable neutral density (nice to have, but not required)
Laptop, or other system to backup your images each day
PERSONAL
Headlamp (did I say bring extra batteries?)
Camera bag + rainfly (yes, even in the desert)
Bring layered, warm, breathable, clothing, including a waterproof shell
Comfortable supportive footwear, wicking socks (wool or synthetic) (keep your feet happy)
Dress for the temps. Layers are recommended. Always check the local forecast as it varies
Bring snacks and stay hydrated (hydration especially important at altitude)
Consider hand warmers for those early morning shoots, plus warm gloves or fingerless mittens
Trekking poles (better safe than sorry)
Bug repellant (highly recommend Picaridin by Sawyer for the local DEET-resistant night gnats)
Sun Glasses, hat, handkerchief (Desert sand especially hard on the eyes, handkerchief for dusty wind)
Toiletries
Requirements
You are responsible for knowing your way around your camera and its menu system. My time with each of you will be spent learning to capture great images. Please do not burden others, and get less out of this event yourself – know and practice your camera, especially if you will be using any new gear on this trip.
Our group must stay together. Please do not wander off without telling me of your where abouts. We will be in areas with potential hazards that include exposed cliffs, unstable terrain, and wildlife.
You are responsible for knowing and following all park or jurisdictional rules. Leave No Trace. Let’s leave it better than it was! Thank you!
PLEASE NOTE: All deposits/payments received are non-refundable. Should you cancel your trip for any reason, your deposit (workshops only) may be used as a credit toward another workshop* (minus a $250 cancellation fee), for the current or following year, and 50% of any unused credit may be used for up to two years from the first day of the cancelled workshop.
Trip/travel insurance is highly recommended as no refunds are provided.
*Please refer to my Terms & Conditions when you click on the Book Now button.
Create great memories, new friendships, and unforgettable images!
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