Utah Badlands Overlanding Photography Expedition

April 14–19, 2026

Led by Jess Santos and Ryan Oswald

Join us in the heart of Utah’s remote badlands, where textured buttes and alien landscapes stretch beneath some of the darkest skies in the lower 48. This 6-day adventure takes you far beyond the pavement and deep into a desert. With dirt roads as our guide and the stars as our compass, you’ll create images that feel both epic and unforgettable.

This is not just a workshop. It is a true expedition, nights spent under skies with the Milky Way overhead, days roaming among the the foothills of buttes and mesas where you feel like you're exploring mars, and evenings trading stories under desert skies. Every step takes you further off the beaten path and closer to mastering the art of night photography in one of the most otherworldly settings on earth.

Workshop Details

Location: Utah Badlands
Dates: April 14–19, 2026
Group Size: Limited to 8 students
Hiking Difficulty: Moderate (up to 3 miles over rocky or sandy terrain)

What This Journey Looks Like

Our schedule follows the adventure and the sky. Clear nights are devoted to shooting the Milky Way, capturing wide desert vistas, and experimenting with advanced techniques like stacking, star trails, time-lapse and tracking. Each location challenges you to combine technical mastery with the storytelling power of the landscape.

Daylight hours bring exploration of remote terrain by dirt road and trail, scouting compositions and discussing how to translate wild scenes into powerful images. When weather rolls in, we shift to the classroom for editing, critique, and guided instruction, ensuring that growth continues no matter the conditions.

Why This Workshop is Different

This expedition blends the thrill of overland exploration with the depth of a full astrophotography masterclass. We go far beyond the basics, teaching every aspect of night photography from single frames to complex multi-image projects. With a small group size, you receive hands-on guidance while also sharing the camaraderie of camping, stargazing and long desert nights.

You are not just learning to shoot stars. You are learning to chase them through one of the most adventurous landscapes in the American West.

Ideal For

Photographers ready for both rugged adventure and serious astrophotography training
Creatives eager to learn advanced night techniques like stacking, trails, time-lapse and tracking
Adventurers who crave dirt roads, remote locations and dark skies
All experience levels welcome, with emphasis on growth in both field and editing skills

The Call of Adventure!

Adventure and astrophotography collide in Utah’s remote badlands. If you are ready to trade comfort for wild nights under the stars and come home with images that tell you story, we would love to have you join us.

Reserve your spot today and master the stars.

Utah Badlands Overlanding Photography Expedition (2026)

$3,399.00

This workshop includes:

Airbnb Accommodation based on single occupancy rooms.

Photography Instruction, Post-Processing Instruction, Image Critiques

Permits, Park Fees and any entry fees

NEW! Post Workshop Zoom Editing Session

This workshop does NOT include:

Ground Transportation or Airfare from your home to Hanksville, UT and all shooting locations.

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Meals, drinks and snacks
You will need to bring the following with you:

DSLR or Mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens

A wide angle fast lens, you will need a minimum of 24mm and f/2.8 lens (although I would recommend a 16mm)

A mid range lens (24-70mm or similar)

A telephoto lens (recommended 200mm at a minimum)

A sturdy tripod, if you'd like a recommendation on tripods, I use a Slik USA Pro CF 734 Legs with 200DQ Ballhead this is a great lightweight and sturdy option, it also gets low enough to the ground to create some great compositions. (Slik is giving 15% discount to anyone wishing to upgrade their gear, use code missjess15)

Laptop for post processing sessions

Memory cards, external hard drive

Extra Batteries and chargers

Rain fly for your camera & bag

Shutter release cable

Headlamp (white light recommended, preferably without a red light)

If you have filters please bring them as we can show you how and when to use them. If you'd like a recommendation on filters, I use the Cokin EVO System with Polarizer (Z Series), Soft Grad 3 Stop, Reverse Grad 3 Stop, ND 6, ND 10, Clear Sky Filter. Cokin is giving a 15% discount to those wishing to add their filter to their gear kit, use code missjess15)

There will be opportunity for drones, if you have one bring it.
You will need sturdy hiking shoes. Although most locations won't require an extreme amount of hiking you will still need sturdy shoes with good grip.

Lots of layers. Temperatures in the mountains vary widely, a lot of times it can be over 70F during the day and as low as 40F during the night, so layers are a must. Wind might also be a factor in the temperature.

A warm jacket. Again temperatures at night can drop significantly especially when it is windy.
Once a deposit is paid it is not refundable, it may however be transferred to a future workshop when a spot is available, if cancelled 60 days or more prior to workshop start date.

If moving to a different workshop the switch must be secured within a year of cancellation.

If cancelled less than 60 days before workshop start date the deposit is not refundable and cannot be transferred.