Shoot for the Stars
Night Photography Workshop in the Canadian Rockies
Nordegg, Alberta, Canada
RETURNING IN 2026
Join us in David Thompson Country,
a dark location at the edge of the Canadian Rockies away from urban light pollution,
for a two night astrophotography workshop designed to teach you all the essential techniques for capturing stunning images of the Milky Way and night sky.
Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just starting your journey,
this small-group workshop will offer personalized attention and guidance tailored to your skill level and experience.
At this time of year, the galactic center of the Milky Way will have risen well above the horizon, but the arc will still be low enough for outstanding compositions. After this workshop, you will have the skills and knowledge to successfully capture the night throughout the warmer months of the year and the rest of Milky Way core season! The Milky Way will be visible in the very early hours of the morning, but we will adapt to weather conditions as well as the best nearby locations to plan our shooting sessions for capturing the Milky Way as well as any other possible celestial events such as aurora.
Planning - Effective planning is key to capturing impactful and intentional night sky images. In this workshop, you'll learn how to locate the Milky Way and determine the optimal times to photograph it.
Settings - Night photography requires full control of your camera in Manual mode. We’ll cover key settings like ISO, white balance, aperture, and shutter speed, along with other essential adjustments for shooting in the dark.
Focusing - Achieving sharp focus is one of the biggest challenges in night photography. We’ll explore reliable focusing techniques, and you’ll get one-on-one support to help you nail focus during our field sessions.
Composition - Another challenging aspect of night photography is creating compelling compositions. We will cover techniques to help you capture more than just the sky to create strong images.
Post-processing - We will cover and demonstrate the basics of editing and bringing your night images to life.
Workshop highlights:
small group experience ensuring personalized attention
expert guidance from award winning astrophotographer
stunning dark sky locations
practical sessions for hands-on learning
discover essential editing techniques
image review for feedback and tips
printed materials for future reference
connect with fellow photography enthusiasts and build lasting friendships with like minded people
Workshop includes:
in-the-field instruction during 2 night shoots, plus 1 daytime shoot
2 classroom sessions covering the techniques for capturing incredible night images including planning, settings, focus, composition and post-processing
refreshments during the classroom sessions
accommodations at Coliseum Mountain Resort
You’ll take care of:
transportation to and from the workshop location
transportation during the workshop to shooting locations (carpooling will be encouraged)
travel and cancellation insurance
meals (There are a few local options for meals and the resort has a full kitchen to store and prepare meals)
List of items to bring will be sent to registered participants in advance of the workshop.
Embrace the magic of natural darkness
and join us to experience and capture the incredible beauty of the night!
Workshop Itinerary:
The workshop plan is tentative and will be adaptive to conditions and weather.
Friday:
4pm arrival and check in at accommodations
5 pm Classroom session + camera practice
dinner: BYO or optional group dinner at “Pick and Shovel” in Nordegg
Nap/sleep time
Saturday:
Night Shoot (time will depend on conditions)
Classroom session on processing and image review
dinner: BYO or optional group dinner at “Pick and Shovel” in Nordegg
Sunset Shoot
Nap/sleep time
Sunday:
Night Shoot
Morning Wrap Up (possibly morning shoot if we weren’t up all night!)
11 am check-out
Fitness level: light/easy
There may be some free time for you to explore the area a bit on your own, depending on how much sleep you got and your energy level. If your schedule allows, you may want to spend some time in the area before check in and after check out. There is much to see and explore, and many photographic opportunities.
Our Accommodations:
The Lodge at the Coliseum Mountain Resort
Nordegg, Alberta, Canada
The Coliseum Mountain Resort is located deep in the quiet serenity of the Canadian Rockies…
yet easily accessible from central Alberta and the mountain parks of Banff and Jasper.
Located 2 hours from Red Deer, 2.5 hrs from Banff, just over 3 hours from Edmonton and Calgary.
Your accommodations will include a private bedroom (single occupancy) with a double bed and a shared bathroom with 1 other participant. There is one double-occupancy room available with 2 double beds. There is limited availability for partner add-on (non-participant) for a nominal charge if you wish to share a single bedroom.
This beautiful lodge includes a full kitchen and dining area with fireplace, wifi and satellite TV, 3 decks for towering views, backyard patio area with gas grill, fire pit and picnic table, and a private outdoor hot tub for a warm up after a cold night out, or simply for some RnR.
Workshop Dates:
Returning in 2026!
Cancellation: Workshop fees are non-refundable but fully transferable if you are able to sell your spot.
This location, deep in the quiet serenity of the Canadian Rockies, will provide us with many options for dark sky shooting locations.
Located 2 hours from Red Deer, 2.5 hrs from Banff, just over 3 hours from Edmonton and Calgary.
Carmen offers an amazing balance of technical support and creative inspiration! - Pam
The small group and individual attention were much appreciated. Being able to ask questions and get expert advice was invaluable. - Joel
Carmen’s workshops are very organized with a good flow through everything. She provides a lot of direction and ideas for getting great photos. - Natasha
Not sure if this astrophotography experience is right for you?
We’re here to help!