Arches & Canyonlands Astro Workshops

Q: What physical shape do I need to be in?

This tour doesn’t involve any long or strenuous hikes , as most shooting locations are just a short walk from the parking areas. Keep in mind that around 90% of our photography sessions will take place at sunrise or after sunset . This means we’ll be following a mostly nocturnal schedule throughout the workshop, and on some days, we may have to sacrifice a bit of sleep. For this reason, we recommend being in good physical shape and maintaining high energy levels to make the most of the experience.

Q: Am I too young/old for this Moab photo tour?

There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph Utah with us.

The Milky Way in the most iconic Utah National Parks near Moab

Join us for a Utah astrophotography workshop in Arches & Canyonlands National Parks where we’ll capture our Milky Way over some of the most spectacular nightscapes in the Utah High Desert. We are running this tour during the best time of year to photograph the Milky Way in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Date

April 2^nd - 8^th, 2027
April 9^th - 15^th, 2027
7 days and 6 nights

Difficulty

Easy:
Involves short walks and night shooting

Group Size

Small: 10 participants
+
2 instructors

Price

$4,890 USD

(Private room included)

Included

Accommodation in private rooms at the Hampton Inn OR at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Moab
7 days of photo guide services by professional astrophotographers
Instruction in a small group of 10 participants
Pre-tour online meeting with the instructors to prepare and set goals
Night photography sessions throughout the entire workshop, including star-tracking instruction
Editing & post-processing sessions during the workshop
Access to the Dan Zafra's Capture the Milky Way Course and Benro Polaris Course (valued at $349)

Not Included

Transportation (including flights) to Moab
Transportation during the trip (we will arrange carpool)
Arches & Canyonlands & Deadhorse Point entrance fees
Meals, except breakfast at the hotel
Health/travel insurance
Telephone, personal expenses, tips, etc. Any other service not mentioned in the "INCLUDED" section

Photo Workshop Overview

During this Utah astrophotography workshop, we will focus specifically on shooting nightscapes and the Milky Way over the most photogenic formations and landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. You’ll see everything from giant arches and Martian rock formations to enormous canyons and majestic views. This is a high-desert area, located far and above other sources of light pollution, where we’ll enjoy ideal conditions for astrophotography.

We will help you capture the best possible images during this Milky Way astrophotography tour to Arches & Canyonlands. You’ll learn the best techniques to shoot the Milky Way, from the basics to the most advanced techniques, and we will also do some post-processing sessions so you can bring your captured images to life.

While this workshop is primarily focused on astro shooting at night, we will also have time to capture the sunrise, sunsets, and daytime images when the timeframe and conditions allow.

2027 Arches & Canyonlands astro Workshop Highlights

Photo workshops from April 2^nd– 8^th & April 9^th– 15^th, 2027
Group size: 10 participants + 2 instructors.
Main topics: Landscape astrophotography.
Main areas: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, Deadhorse Point State Park
Best time of year to photograph the Milky Way in Moab, Utah.
Dedicated post-processing sessions.
Accommodation included in private rooms in Moab, close to the best locations.

Official Arches Astrophotography workshop Brochure

2027 Arches & Canyonlands Astro Workshop Itinerary

Our Arches & Canyonlands astrophotography workshop itinerary is flexible, and it will be adjusted according to the weather conditions so you can make the most of this trip.

Our workshop will be at the best time of year to capture the Milky Way over the High Desert landscapes of Utah. In the spring, you can photograph Milky Way panoramas at the beginning of the night, and a diagonal Milky Way at the middle and end of the night. Nights get warmer in April, and the skies are usually crisp and clear with ideal conditions for Astro.

We will also have the time to shoot daytime landscapes when the clouds roll by, show you how to scout and plan images in the field, and focus on post-processing sessions during the middle of the day when the light is harsh.

DAY 1: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

Our Arches and Canyonlands Milky Way photo tour begins at the group hotel in Moab at 2:00 PM. This hotel is situated in an ideal spot at one of the shortest drives from the main shooting locations. It’s also very close to the best restaurants in Moab, and it will be our base camp during our stay in Utah.

After a meet and greet with the rest of the group and a welcome speech, we will do an individual gear review so we can check your equipment and make sure that everything is ready for the night outings

At night, we will do our first Milky Way photography session if confitions allow. Our first location would be at Balanced Rock; one of the most photogenic rock formations in Arches that offers an ideal framing for both Milky Way panoramas and a more diagonal Milky Way in the sky.

After this, we’ll stop on a second location in the Courthouse Towers area where we will frame the Milky Way between some of the most spectacular walls in Utah just before the blue hour starts.

(*From 2020, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks no longer allow the use of light painting or low-level-lighting for shooting at night).

DAY 2: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

On the second day of our Moab astrophotography workshop, we will photograph some of the most impressive locations in the park, focusing especially on scouting and finding the best compositions for our night shoots. Shooting locations will include some iconic landmarks like Turret Arch, The Windows, Double Arch, and Garden of Eden.

We will photograph the walls of the famous Turret and Windows arches painted in red by the setting sun, and come back at night to shoot the Milky Way over some new locations.

DAY 3: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

The third day of our Arches astrophotography workshop will take us to other impressive locations in this national park.

We will start the day by doing our first post-processing session. During the class, we’ll show you examples of how we edit our Milky Way photos captured during the previous nights, and also sit down with you to help you with your post-production as you edit your images from the trip.

For the shooting session, we’ll head out on a very special excursion outside Arches to photograph the sunset in Castle Valley, one of the most scenic and lesser-visited areas near Moab. Towering red rock formations like Castleton Tower and the Priest and Nuns stand dramatically above the valley floor, offering fantastic photographic opportunities as the evening light paints the sandstone in golden hues.

For the night session, we’ll either return to Castle Valley or head to Dead Horse Point State Park, depending on conditions. Both are remarkably dark-sky locations with striking desert landscapes, making them ideal settings for capturing the Milky Way rising above dramatic canyons, mesas, and rock spires.

DAY 4: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

In the next afternoon of our Moab astro photo tour, we will start the day by doing another post-processing session, where we’ll continue showing you different workflows and editing tips and tricks; and also help you bring the images that you captured to life.

In the evening, we’ll visit a new area in Arches National Park around the area known as “The Fins” and Skyline Arch. The plan will be to scout and photograph the sunset over Skyline Arch.

If conditions are good for Astro, we’ll do a session in this area of the park. Skyline arch offers a beautiful framing for a Milky Way Panorama, and that’s where we will start the first session and then move to The Fins once the Milky Way gets higher in the sky.

DAY 5: Canyonlands Astrophotography Workshop

On the fifth day of the tour, we will start our Canyonlands photography workshop section. This national park offers some of the best dramatic views and overlooks of the Colorado and the Green Rivers.

We will start the day photographing Dead Horse Point State Park. This park is located on the edge of a 2,000 ft mesa overlooking the Colorado river, and It offers stunning vistas and one of the most impressive grand landscapes in the entire Southwest. Depending on the previous night shooting conditions, we’ll photograph either the sunsrise when the sun paint the walls of the canyons or in the morning when the light is still not harsh.

Once in Canyonlands National Park, we’ll photograph the most popular viewpoints in the area, like the Grand View in the “Island in the Sky” area, the popular Mesa Arch, and the Green River overlook.
At night, we will return to Dead Horse Point. This is also one of the best places for astrophotography in the area, so we’ll frame the Milky Way with some photogenic trees and different subjects.

DAY 6: Canyonlands Astrophotography Workshop

On day 6, we’ll have the last post-processing session, where we’ll work with you on your best images of the trip.

We will also have a group discussion about the night images captured by the group and provide some insights so you can keep practicing and improving your editing skills.

We will photograph the sunset in one of the viewpoints of Arches National Park, and we’ll have a last group dinner in Moab.

If conditions allow, we will have a final Milky Way photography session in any of the previous locations if there were clouds that night or in a new location in Arches National Park.

DAY 7: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

On the last day of our photography workshop, we will have a final morning session where we will photograph the sun illuminating either the Colorado River or Arches National Park, depending on the previous night session.

After breakfast in our hotel, we will conclude our Arches & Canyonlands photography workshop.

Price: $4,890 USD

Deposit: USD 1,500

A $1,500 deposit is required to reserve your spot for this photo tour. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the start date of the tour. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.

What does the price include?

Included

Accommodation in private room at the Hampton Inn OR at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Moab
7 days of photo guide services by professional astrophotographers
Instruction in a small group of 10 participants
Pre-tour online meeting with the instructors to prepare and set goals
Night photography sessions throughout the entire workshop, including star-tracking instruction
Editing & post-processing sessions during the workshop

*Bonuses

Access to Dan Zafra’s full Capture the Milky Way & Benro Polaris Course (valued at $349)
Access to the recordings of the classes during the event

Not included

Transportation (including flights) to Moab.
Transportation during the trip (we will arrange carpool).
Arches & Canyonlands & Deadhorse Point entrance fees
Meals except breakfast at the hotel
Health/travel insurance
Telephone, personal expenses, tips, etc. Any other service not mentioned in the “INCLUDED” section

*Capture the Atlas operates under a CUA (Commercial Use Authorization) with the National Park Service to run photography workshops on the park premises. Under this permit, all instructors and participants don’t require any of the timed entry tickets that are mandatory to access the park since 2022.

Upcoming Moab Astrophotography workshop dates

Dates

GUIDES

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GUIDES

What will I learn during this Moab Photo Workshop?

This workshop is mainly focused on night and Milky Way photography. However, we will also photograph landscapes during the blue and golden hours, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn about landscape astrophotography.

What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructor is a professional photographer with extensive experience who will help you take your photography to the next level.

Photography basics

Some of the photography basics you can learn during the workshop are:

Getting comfortable shooting different types of landscapes and photos in manual mode
Adjusting the best camera settings in each situation
Familiarizing yourself with the basics of night and Milky Way photography
Enhancing your compositions with the best techniques
Designing your own shooting workflow to be more effective in the field
Photographing daytime and night panoramas

Advanced photography techniques

Some of the advanced photography techniques you can learn during the workshop are:

Creating powerful compositions that tell a story and engage the viewer.
Building a connection between your photography and your vision.
Becoming a master of light: learn how to enhance it and keep it under control.
Advanced night & Milky Way photography techniques like stacking and panoramas.
Advanced bracketing and exposure blending to capture the best dynamic range.
Using wide-angle distortion and focal length blending to create powerful images.
Focus stacking to capture tack-sharp images with interesting foregrounds.
Advanced Milky Way shooting using a star-tracker

Post-processing techniques

Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with are:

How to start using Lightroom and Photoshop (all the basics).
Preparing your images in Lightroom/Adobe Camera Raw to start on the right foot.
Stitching panoramas using different software like Lightroom, Photoshop, or PTGui Pro.
Stacking night images using Starry Landscape Stacker or Sequator.
Reducing the noise in your night images using Denoise AI software.
All types of Blendings (exposure, focal length, focus, etc.).
Light shaping and Dodge & Burn in your landscape images.
Advanced Milky Way techniques like star reduction, structure, natural colors, etc.

*Note: As soon as you sign up for this workshop, you will have access to my full Capture the Milky Way course, which will give you the perfect editing knowledge base before you join this astrophotography workshop

Your tour leaders on this Utah astrophoto tour

Dorian

Meet Dorian

Dorian Sanders – Tour Leader

Dorian Sanders is one of the tour leaders of this workshop and will help you capture the night images that you’re envisioning.

He is a skilled astrophotographer who also has extensive experience, having led workshops focusing on how to use star trackers, how to compose scenes for the most dramatic images, and how to process using a plethora of digital platforms. He is also experienced in leading Capture the Atlas tours in Utah which makes him the perfect guide to lead this tour.

Dorian is based in Vermont and has been taking photos for the past decade. He’s an expert in the main subjects that you’ll be photographing on this trip, and he can also help you with other topics like landscape photography. He will show you how to find great compositions and help you with your night photography, from the basics to advanced techniques like star-tracking.

James

Meet James

James McGivern – Tour Leader

James McGivern will be the leader of this workshop. He is a skilled astrophotographer and an expert in capturing everything from dramatic nightscapes beneath the iconic arches to detailed deep-sky imagery under Utah’s dark desert skies.
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Based in Southern California, James has explored and photographed many of the premier astrophotography destinations across the American Southwest, including Arches & Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Death Valley, and beyond.
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He has taught night photography workshops at Sky’s the Limit Observatory and has participated in several astronomy outreach programs at the observatory.
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Throughout the workshop, James will help participants improve their night photography skills, covering everything from the fundamentals to advanced techniques such as star-tracking and creating powerful desert night compositions.

MaryBeth

Meet MaryBeth

MaryBeth Kiczenski – Coleader

MaryBeth Kiczenski is a photographer and educator known for nightscape work that combines storytelling with advanced technique. She specializes in deep-sky landscapes, astro-modified cameras, and H-alpha imaging, with a calm and supportive teaching style focused on helping photographers gain confidence and improve their results.

She has developed a practical workflow for wide-field H-alpha nightscapes, from planning and field capture to integrating H-alpha and RGB data in post-processing, including PixInsight when appropriate. During this Utah Arches & Canyonlands workshop, she will help you apply these techniques in the field and in post-processing, making advanced methods clear, accessible, and repeatable.

MaryBeth is a Capture the Atlas instructor and a space weather enthusiast, currently studying Space Weather and Environment (SWEN) at Millersville University, bringing both technical knowledge and scientific context to her teaching.

Her work has been featured multiple times, including three NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) selections, a shortlist in Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and publications such as Sky & Telescope and National Geographic Your Shot.

Matthew

Meet Matthew

Matthew Wilks- Coleader

Matthew Wilks will be the co-leader of this Arches & Canyonlands astrophotography tour in Utah.

He is an experienced astrophotographer who has spent years capturing everything from the Milky Way, eclipses, and deep-sky objects across some of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest.

With roots in Arizona and now based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Matthew combines technical precision with a creative eye, helping photographers transform their images into powerful visual stories.

During this Arches & Canyonlands workshop, Matthew will guide you both in the field and through the editing process, teaching you how to plan, capture, and refine compelling night images in these extraordinary desert locations. From composing under pristine dark skies to mastering advanced techniques, he’ll share his expertise to help you make the most of every shooting opportunity.

His experience working in desert environments gives him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities these landscapes offer, and he brings a clear, practical, and approachable teaching style that makes both shooting and editing engaging and rewarding.

What to bring on this arches & Canyonlands Astro Photo Tour

A complete list of everything that we recommend for this tour is sent to all participants upon sign-up. Below, you can find a summary of things you might need:

Photography gear

A mirrorless or DSLR camera.
A sturdy tripod and a remote shutter.
A wide-angle lens, such as 14-24 mm.
A medium zoom lens, such as 24-70 mm.
A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens.
A camera bag to transport all your equipment.
A headlamp for the night shoots.
Glow-in-the-dark tape for your tripod.
A laptop for the post-processing sessions

Some optional items if you are focused on advanced MW photography are:

A star-tracker.
A laser for doing the polar alignment.

*While zoom lenses are acceptable for this workshop, prime lenses are recommended for Milky Way photography. Some of the best lenses in this range are:

-20 mm f/1.8, 24 mm f/1.4, 28 mm f/1.4, 35 mm f/1.8, 40 mm f/1.4, 50 mm f/1.8

You can get them either from your camera brand or from third-party manufacturers like Rokinon or Sigma.

*This Utah astrophotography workshop focuses on Milky Way nightscapes and not on deep-sky imaging. However, you can bring a telephoto/telescope and take your own deep-sky photos if you like. Our instructor James is also a seasoned deep-sky astrophotographer and can help with this type of imaging.

You may be interested in this guide, where you can dive deeper into photography equipment for traveling.

Clothing

Even though the sun makes temperatures very warm during the day, nights can be chilly on the Utah High Desert plateau, especially if there is wind.

For this reason, we recommend bringing the following clothing:

A system of layers to wear at night (base layer, windproof layer).
A good pair of breathable boots (to protect your feet and ankles while hiking over rocks and uneven terrain).
A light hat and gloves for the night photography sessions in case it gets cold.

Documentation

If you are traveling from outside the US, you may need a specific travel visa or an electronic travel authorization (“ESTA”) depending on your country of origin. We can help you with this process.

Other important information

Accommodation

During this Arches and Canyonlands astrophotography workshop, we’ll be staying at the Hampton Inn OR at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Moab. This is one of the best hotels in Moab and it’s close to the main photography locations. Accommodation is included during the workshop in private rooms.

If you plan to share a room with a partner or friend, we’ll offer a discount of $550 per person off the general price of the workshop.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Moab

Fitness Level

This tour doesn’t involve any long or strenuous hikes, as most shooting locations are just a short walk from the parking areas.

Keep in mind that around 90% of our photography sessions will take place at sunrise or after sunset. This means we’ll be following a mostly nocturnal schedule throughout the workshop, and on some days, we may have to sacrifice a bit of sleep. For this reason, we recommend being in good physical shape and maintaining high energy levels to make the most of the experience.

What expenses should you consider for this Moab photo tour?

Flights

There are different airports within a relatively short drive from Moab. The closest airport is the Canyonlands Regional Airport, which is a 20-minute drive from Moab.

However, there aren’t many flights or rental car options there compared to other major airports, so the main options are Grand Junction Regional airport (1:40 min aprox. from Moab), Salt Lake City International Airport (3:30 approx. from Moab), Denver Int. Airport (5:30 approx. From Moab), and Las Vegas International Airport (6:45 approx. from Moab).

Airline ticket prices will depend on the airport you are flying from. We recommend reading this article if you want to find the best flights from your current location.

Transportation

Transportation will not be included, and all the driving will be on paved, easy roads, so any type of vehicle is fine for this Utah workshop.

When traveling to different locations on the tour, we will try to carpool as often as possible. Some parking areas are small, and we would like to minimize our impact on the land.

Attend a photography workshop in Arches & Canyonlands National Park

Meals

Meals are not included, except for breakfast in our hotel.

Moab has grocery stores where you can buy food, drinks, and snacks. We recommend buying some groceries and snacks before the start of the tour since our schedule will completely depend on the shooting conditions.

We will try to go every day to a local restaurant either for lunch or dinner.

Entrance fee

The Southeast Utah park pass to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks costs $55 and is valid for a week. You can get your pass in person at the kiosk before entering the park.

Since 2022, there is a timed entry reservation system to access Arches National Park from 6 AM to 5 PM daily. This doesn’t apply to us since we have a commercial authorization permit for the workshop, but bear this in mind if you want to visit the park before or after the trip. You can see more information here.

Additionally, we will visit Dead Horse Point State Park during the workshop. Please note that this park requires a separate entrance fee of $20 per vehicle, which is not included in the national park passes. You can pay for your ticket at the entrance, as it is not included in the workshop.

If you plan to visit more national parks within the following year after the workshop, we recommend getting the “America the Beautiful” annual pass, which gives you unlimited access to all national parks and some state parks in the country for only $80. You can get it online here.

What makes this Moab AstroPhoto Tour unique?

Immersive

Our astrophotography workshops are completely centered on photography: finding the best moments to shoot, running dedicated post-processing sessions, and creating an intensive experience that is conducive to learning and taking the best Milky Way images.

Intimate

Our workshops are limited to small groups with a ratio of no more than five students per instructor. This is also an important factor for providing the attentive instruction you need during the tour.

Exclusive

You’ll learn how to make the most of your camera gear to capture Milky Way images as well as the most effective post-processing techniques to bring your images to life. The instruction and the setting in an exclusive group of astrophotographers make this workshop unique and distinct from standard night photography tours.

Dedicated

We will discuss your goals before the tour so we can create a dedicated instruction plan for you. It doesn’t matter your age or skills; we will design your plan and provide you with materials before, during, and after the workshop so the learning process is not limited to just the tour.

Proven

We have spent years designing national and international photo tours with successful results, helping photographers with their Milky Way & Northern Lights photography. Dan’s online courses have also helped more than 400 photographers over the last few years.

Unforgettable

Beyond the photography, our photography workshops help build strong bonds that last forever. After our trip, you’ll feel like you have been with a group of friends rather than on a standard tour. We are thankful to have plenty of repeat clients who keep traveling and learning with us.

Frequent asked questions about our Astro Workshops

What level should I be to attend this photo tour to Arches & Canyonlands?

Whether you are experienced or just starting out in Milky Way photography, you are welcome, and I am convinced that you will progress quickly. Together, we will send you home with a thorough knowledge of many photography areas, from the basics to multiple advanced techniques.

Once you sign up for the workshop, we will discuss your skills and goals for this tour, and I’ll organize a teaching plan so you can make the most of this experience.

What physical shape do I need to be in?

This tour doesn’t involve any long or strenuous hikes, as most shooting locations are just a short walk from the parking areas.

Am I too young/old for this Moab photo tour?

There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph Utah with us.

Can my non-photographer companion join us on the tour?

Non-photographer companions are welcome to join the tour, and they need to book a spot under the same price and conditions as any other participant. (We don’t allow non-participant companions tagging along with the group). We have had plenty of non-photographer companions over the years and all of them enjoyed an amazing experience. As long as they enjoy nature, beautiful landscapes, and are a bit patient with the schedules of a photo tour, joining the trip can be a great experience regardless of the shooting.

Do I need a star-tracker?

You don’t need a star-tracker, but you can bring one to the workshop if you have a good foundation in Milky Way photography and you’d like to focus on some advanced shooting.

Do I need a day entry permit for Arches National Park?

Since 2022, Arches National Park requires a timed entry ticket with a specific time slot in advance to access the park.

However, as holders of a commercial use authorization permit, you don’t need any timed ticket to access the park during the workshop. The only requirement will be having your National Park pass described above.

Our Happy Students!

We have had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers in Utah over the last few years. Sharing and teaching photography is our passion, and we love doing this both online and in the field.

Just finished a week long tour with Capture the Atlas crew focusing on Milky Way images in the Moab Utah area. Our leaders were Dorian Sanders and Marybeth Kiczenski. They were both fantastic. They went out of their way to make sure everyone felt comfortable. As for myself I had just purchased a Nomad prior to the workshop and I feel confident enough now to utilize this bit of kit on my own from now on. I feel confident enough now to utilize this bit of kit on my own from now on. I can say with confidence that I will workshop with CTA again as I found them to be an outstanding value, great communicators, and a group who over-delivered.

Robert Wyatt

2026 Utah Asrophotography Workshop

Amazing astrophotography tour in Utah! Had a fantastic time on my Capture The Atlas (CTA) trip to Utah 🇺🇸! A great astrophotography tour focused on capturing the Milky Way in the dark-sky National Parks around Moab. As a complete beginner, I still came away with some great shots thanks to the perfect conditions and the amazing help from our guides, James & Matthew. We also explored Canyonlands and Arches National Park, which were spectacular. Communication, accommodation, and the small group experience were all excellent. Would definitely recommend CTA tours to aspiring photographers. ⭐️💫⭐️

Kate Goodman

2026 Utah Asrophotography Workshop

The itinerary was thoughtfully curated, offering a balance of diverse locations. Both guides demonstrated deep expertise in astrophotography, from technical gear setups to intricate post-processing techniques. They were available to provide guidance when needed, striking the perfect balance between being supportive and giving us the space to create.

Barbara Djordjevic

2026 Utah Asrophotography Workshop

This was a fantastic course. I didn’t have experience in astrophotography and have never used photoshop prior to this workshop. The instructors were great. They explained everything in easy to understand terms and were there to lend a helping hand to any and all that needed it. By the end of the workshop, I have complete confidence that I can do this on my own. But I would not hesitate to take another workshop from Capture the Atlas.

David Smith

2026 Utah Asrophotography Workshop

I joined the Utah astrophotography tour in April 2025. It is a transformative experience, gaining new skills using the Benro Polaris to shoot the Milky Way under Bortle 1 skies and out-of-this world landscape. Using Dan's training videos and expert guidance from Dorian and James, I'm thrilled to produce photos I've never dreamed before taking this trip. Thanks to the CTA crew for another successful adventure.

Ann Fabella

2025 Utah Asrophotography Workshop

This was my first astrophotography trip with Capture The Atlas in Moab, Utah (April 20, 2025). Although I was initially nervous about my lack of experience compared to others, the group’s diversity created a great learning environment. With the help and patience of both Dorian Sanders and James McGivern, our astrophotographer/guides,I was able to step out of my comfort zone, gain confidence in using my camera settings, improve my artistic compositions, and advance my editing skills. I met some amazing people who made me feel welcome, and to top it all off—I even went on a tandem skydive!

Kathleen Maas

2025 Utah Asrophotography Workshop

I cannot say enough nice things about Dan and the entire crew at Capture the Atlas! I found Dan on YouTube about a year ago (2024) and watched a lot of his free videos. I ended up buying his Capture the milky Way courses and his Benro Polaris course. That led me to signing up for a photo tour in Moab Utah for April of 2025. I showed up in Utah never having used my star tracker to actually track stars. I'd taken some single exposure Milky Way (MW) photos, and edited them and was pretty happy with them, or so I thought. You will NOT regret it. I learned a TON! Thanks Dan, Dorian, James and the whole CTA crew! I'll be back!

John Hurlut

2025 Utah Astrophotography workshop

Alumno taller fotográfico Capture the Atlas

This was a great learning experience. Dan Z and Daniel G conducted a very professional end to end tour of Milky Way photography including photo editing. They spent equal time with everyone ensuring everybody got the pictures they wanted. The location was phenomenal and the accommodations superb. I also met great people with similar interests and learned a lot from them as well. Definitely coming back for more.

Richard Valdesuso

2024 Utah Astrophotography Workshop

The Utah workshop was a great experience for me, especially since I was new to Astrophotography and I could capture my first Milky Way images! Dan Zafra and Daniel Gomez were both great in terms of their guidance which was easy to follow even for beginners. The planning was impeccable and the locations were perfect to explore milky way and landscape photography. The post processing sessions were very thorough and there was great individual attention to clarify any questions we had. I would definitely recommend a photo tour with Capture the atlas for their great professionalism and camaraderie!

Calphurnia J.

2023 Utah astrophotography workshop

Capture the Atlas is the place to go for astrophotography. Their expertise shines through in their online tutorials and is invaluable in their workshops. They know how to meet their students at their level of knowledge and how to extend that knowledge in manageable steps so as not to overwhelm you in the process. Dan and Daniel answered my questions in a timely manner, and their patience with me was unparalleled. I have already signed up for another workshop and consider both Dans as friends.

John Wensley

2023 Utah Astrophotography workshop

This was my first photography workshop, and Capture the Atlas delivered. Our group had varying skill levels, and Dan and Daniel were patient, accommodating everyone. They were well-prepared with backup plans and communicated well. I learned to photograph the Milky Way, improved my overall skills, and gained a better understanding of my camera. The group was supportive, making it a great experience. I look forward to more workshops!

Bob Hurley

2023 Utah Astrophotography Workshop

Dan was a great workshop leader. His knowledge was well above the level of most night photography workshops. With Dan's patient guidance, I managed to use a star tracker for the first time and to capture great images. I highly recommend Dan, especially if you are a seasoned night photographer and looking for personalized attention in a small group.

Graham Marriott

2023 Utah Astrophotography workshop

I couldn’t have produced the Milky Way images that I got without the help of Dan and Daniel, our instructors. They took us to locations that had been pre-scouted so we were not guessing at where to go, help us get with composition ideas and techniques, and then let us explore. After that, they helped us with our processing our night photos. I have been using Photoshop for 20+ years as a hobbyist, but I feel like I have seen it for the first time. Capture the Atlas is top-notch, and I’ll be signing up for more of their workshops.

Troy Smith

2023 Utah Astrophotography workshop

Seeing the Milky Way appear on the LCD screen when you can't see it with your naked eye was magic. Dan and Daniel are knowledgeable and great guys to be with. I learned a lot from them and enjoyed the tour. I look forward to going on more trips.

Wai Lee

2023 Utah Astrophotography workshop

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Terms and conditions

This tour is governed by these Terms and Conditions.

The Utah High Desert is one of the most special places where I have photographed the Milky Way. There is something magical about being in a desert plateau away from light pollution and surrounded by a dark, starry sky with only the sound of coyotes howling in the distance.

In this vast area, you will find not only Martian landscapes and otherworldly arches, canyons, and rock formations, but also memories that will last a lifetime.

Let’s capture the Milky Way!

Dan Zafra

You’ve probably seen Capture the Atlas in…

Arches & Canyonlands Astro Workshops

The Milky Way in the most iconic Utah National Parks near Moab

Photo Workshop Overview

2027 Arches & Canyonlands astro Workshop Highlights

Official Arches Astrophotography workshop Brochure

2027 Arches & Canyonlands Astro Workshop Itinerary

DAY 1: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

DAY 2: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

DAY 3: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

DAY 4: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

DAY 5: Canyonlands Astrophotography Workshop

DAY 6: Canyonlands Astrophotography Workshop

DAY 7: Arches Astrophotography Workshop

Price: $4,890 USD

What does the price include?

Included

*Bonuses

Not included

Upcoming Moab Astrophotography workshop dates

What will I learn during this Moab Photo Workshop?

Your tour leaders on this Utah astrophoto tour

What to bring on this arches & Canyonlands Astro Photo Tour

Photography gear

Clothing

Documentation

Other important information

Accommodation

Fitness Level

What expenses should you consider for this Moab photo tour?

Flights

Transportation

Meals

Entrance fee

What makes this Moab AstroPhoto Tour unique?

Frequent asked questions about our Astro Workshops

Our Happy Students!

Join the expedition

Terms and conditions

Arches and Canyonlands Behind the Scenes and Gallery

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