Astrophotography Masterclass Workshops
A hands-on astrophotography workshop focused on real-world shooting, composition, and night-sky technique.Location:
Phoenix
Salt Lake City
Las Vegas
Date:
Multiple
Investment:
$950
Difficulty:
Level 2: Active
Lodging:
Not Included
Transportation:
Not Included
Workshops are limited to a small group to ensure hands-on instruction and real-time feedback in the field.
What Is theAstrophotography Masterclass?
The Astrophotography Masterclass is a two-night, field-based workshop that takes you from “I think my settings are right” to confidently capturing the night sky on your own. There’s no classroom lecture and no presets to copy. We head out under dark skies, set up together, and you learn by shooting in real conditions with an instructor beside you.
Night one is about getting the shot: locating and framing the Milky Way, dialing in sharp focus, and nailing clean exposures. Night two is about refining it, building on what you learned and adding your own creative vision. Post-processing is part of the workshop, and you also get access to my online editing course, so you can keep sharpening your edits long after the workshop ends.
Every skill carries over to wherever you shoot next, not just one iconic spot. You leave with better images, a repeatable workflow, and the confidence to do it again on your own.
What You’ll Learn During the Masterclass
Hands-On Learning
You’ll work side by side in the field, learning how to set up your camera, find sharp focus in the dark, and make intentional exposure decisions under the night sky. Instruction is practical and adaptive, focused on real conditions rather than presets or formulas.
Composition & Creative Exploration
A great night sky image starts with a great foreground. You’ll work on composition, foreground selection, visual flow, and scale, and learn how to plan where the Milky Way sits in your frame so the final image feels balanced, grounded, and connected to place.
Working With Darkness & Sky Conditions
Learn how to read the night sky: moon phase, Milky Way position, light pollution, and atmospheric clarity. We’ll focus on planning your shoot, finding the best window, and using starlight, moonlight, and the last glow of twilight to add depth and mood to your images.
Post Processing Session
Editing sessions focus on building a clean, natural workflow for astrophotography, from managing noise to balancing color and contrast. You’ll also get access to my online editing course, so you can keep refining your edits long after the workshop ends.
Knowledge Expansion & Technique
Topics may include exposure strategy, lens and focal length selection, focusing in the dark, noise management, blending foreground and sky (when applicable), and adapting your approach as conditions change throughout the night.
What Past Participants Are Saying
Workshop Itinerary
Before You Arrive
Workshop Guide
After you register, you’ll receive a workshop guide covering everything we’ll touch on during the Masterclass, along with the required gear list. Read it before you arrive so you can hit the ground running on night one.
Day / Night 1
Let The Adventure Begin
Meet at our location and go over the plan and the night’s conditions. The first evening focuses on orientation, camera setup, and foundational shooting techniques. We’ll spend several hours under the stars working through exposure, focus, composition, and night-sky fundamentals.
Topics may include:
- Night sky orientation
- Focusing in the dark
- Critical camera operation
- Exposure strategy
What to expect on foot: Most nights are less than 2 miles in total over uneven, rocky, sandy terrain. We generally don't walk more than 1/4 mile from our vehicles.
Day / Night 2
Taking Things Further
Part 1: Afternoon Editing Session (Google Meet)
Join us on Google Meet for a dedicated editing session. We’ll walk through the workflow from raw file to finished image. The session is recorded, so you can rewatch it as you work through your own files. You also get access to my online editing course, so you can keep building your editing skills after the workshop.
Topics may include:
- Workflow overview
- Basic and intermediate editing (Lightroom)
Part 2: Evening Field Session
Day two builds on what you learned the first night. We head back out under the stars atanother nearby location, with more shooting time and a focus on refinement, composition, and adapting your techniques to different conditions.
Topics may include:
- Composition and visual flow
- Blue hour blending and advanced techniques
A $97 Editing Course, Included With Your Registration
Astrophotography Editing Essentials
Capturing the Milky Way is only half the work. Every Masterclass registration includes full access to my complete Astrophotography Editing Course, the same step-by-step Lightroom workflow I use on my own night sky images. It's a $97 value, included at no extra cost. You get access the moment you register, so your learning starts well before you arrive.
Before The Workshop
Get A Head Start
Learn the workflow ahead of time, so our editing session goes deeper, faster.
During The Workshop
Edit Along Side Me
The Day 2 editing session builds on the course, and it's recorded so you can rewatch it as you edit.
After The Workshop
Keep Going
Work through your own images at your own pace, with every lesson there to revisit.
13
Video Lessons
~2 Hrs
Step-By-Step Video
Lifetime
Access & Updates
What's Inside
The workshop teaches you to capture the night sky. The course makes sure you know what to do with those images once you're home.
Meet Your Guide
Justin Northcraft is an adventurer, photographer, and content creator deeply immersed in the realms of landscape, aerial, lifestyle, and astrophotography. A dedicated creative professional since 2006, Justin currently calls Utah home, drawing endless inspiration from its diverse and breathtaking landscapes. His pursuit of visually compelling content is driven by a commitment to uniqueness and originality.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Justin is passionate about education and fostering lasting relationships with his workshop clients. He believes in the power of sharing knowledge and experiences, creating a collaborative and enriching environment where everyone can grow and thrive. Join Justin on a journey of exploration and learning, and elevate your photography skills while building meaningful connections within a community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Astrophotography Masterclass Locations
Each workshop location is selected for dark skies, compelling landscapes, and accessibility. Locations and dates are listed below, with details specific to each session.
Phoenix, Arizona
March 5 - 6, 2027
Friday Night | 4 Hours In Field
Saturday Afternoon | Editing Session
Saturday Evening | 4 Hours In Field
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 9 - 10, 2027
Friday Night | 4 Hours In Field
Saturday Afternoon | Editing Session
Saturday Evening | 4 Hours In Field
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 7 - 8, 2027
Friday Night | 4 Hours In Field
Saturday Afternoon | Editing Session
Saturday Evening | 4 Hours In Field
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Salt Lake City, Utah
July 9 - 10, 2027
Friday Night | 4 Hours In Field
Saturday Afternoon | Editing Session
Saturday Evening | 4 Hours In Field
Phoenix, Arizona
September 3 - 4, 2027
Friday Night | 4 Hours In Field
Saturday Afternoon | Editing Session
Saturday Evening | 4 Hours In Field
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 10 - 11, 2027
Friday Night | 4 Hours In Field
Saturday Afternoon | Editing Session
Saturday Evening | 4 Hours In Field
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Phoenix, Arizona
Kofa Wilderness Skies
Located southwest of Phoenix in the rugged Kofa Wilderness, this remote desert landscape delivers stunning Bortle Class 1-2 skies with wide-open horizons and minimal light pollution, perfect for capturing the Milky Way, deep-sky compositions, and star trails over dramatic desert scenery. Towering palm canyons, jagged peaks, and vast plains offer a unique backdrop for astrophotography.
Lodging & Accommodations: The closest hotel and dining options are in Quartzsite, AZ (30–45 minutes from shooting locations). Dry camping and primitive campgrounds are also available for those wanting to stay closer to the action.
Accessibility & Terrain: The locations are accessible by standard vehicles, though some dirt roads may be involved. The terrain consists of open desert and rocky areas, with minimal hiking involved. Expect warm days and cooler nights, so layering is recommended.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Mojave Desert Skies
South of Las Vegas near the Mojave National Preserve, this location offers Bortle Class 2 or better skies, making it one of the best dark-sky areas in the region. The vast desert landscape provides stunning foregrounds for Milky Way and deep-sky photography, free from city light pollution.
Lodging & Accommodations: The nearest hotels are in Primm, NV (30 minutes away), with additional options on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip (~1 hr 15 min drive).
Accessibility & Terrain: The locations are accessible by standard vehicles, though some dirt roads may be involved. The terrain consists of open desert and rocky areas, with minimal hiking involved. Expect warm days and cooler nights, so layering is recommended.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Uinta Mountain Skies
Set in the Uinta Mountains, this Astro Masterclass offers Bortle Class 2 or better skies, providing stunning conditions for Milky Way and deep-sky photography. The high-altitude landscapes, alpine lakes, and rugged peaks create breathtaking backdrops for astrophotography.
Lodging & Accommodations: The best hotel options are in Park City or Kamas, UT (both 45-60 minutes away), with cabins and campgrounds available closer to the shooting locations.
Accessibility & Terrain: The locations are accessible by standard vehicles, though some dirt roads may be involved. The terrain includes forested trails, rocky overlooks, and alpine meadows, with some short hikes required. Nights can be cold due to high elevation (~10,000 ft), so warm layers are essential.
Ready to Join the Astrophotography Masterclass?
Everything You Need, In The Field and After
This isn't just a night out with a camera. Your registration covers hands-on field instruction and the tools to keep improving long after the workshop ends.
12+ Hours of Hands-On Instruction
Two nights in the field under dark skies, plus a dedicated editing session. You'll learn by doing, with real-time feedback on your own camera.
Astrophotography Editing Course - INCLUDED $97 Value
Full access to my complete Lightroom editing course: 13 lessons, a beginning-to-end edit, a downloadable guide, and a practice RAW file. Start the moment you register, and keep lifetime access.
Workshop Guide
A complete reference covering every concept taught in the workshop, along with the required gear list, so you don't have to remember it all in the dark.
Recorded Editing Session
Our Day 2 editing session runs live on Google Meet and is recorded. Rewatch it, follow along, and apply it to your own images at your own pace.
Core Night Sky Skills
You'll cover preparation and planning, night sky orientation, focusing in the dark, and getting a properly exposed image every time. These are the fundamentals most people struggle with on their own.
Access to My Gear
Try before you buy. Sony camera bodies, E-Mount lenses, and star trackers are available to use during the workshop.
Astrophotography Masterclass Registration
$949
Per Person
Your Registration Includes
12+ hours of field instruction over two nights
The Astrophotography Editing Course ($97 value)
A workshop guide with the required gear list
A recorded group editing session
After you register, you'll receive emails for additional registration information, workshop logistics, and our liability waiver.
What's Not Included
Please bring your own camera equipment. My gear is available to try during the workshop, but you'll want your own setup to shoot with. Transportation, meals, and lodging are also not included. If you're coming from out of town, reach out and I'm happy to share lodging recommendations near your workshop location.
Important Items
- Deposits are not available on workshops under $1,000.
- Trip insurance is NOT included as part of this purchase. It is highly recommended that you purchase trip insurance through a 3rd party to protect your investment.
- In the event of adverse weather, the workshop will continue so long as the concepts can be taught. This may impact the workshop duration, location, and or date.
Workshop schedules may be subject to change or rescheduling due to unexpected circumstances, including adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen events. For information on schedule changes, cancellations, and other important details, see our Workshop Policies.