New Mexico Overlanding Photography Workshop (2026)
Overlanding Photography Workshop
September 8–13, 2026
Led by Jess Santos and Ryan Oswald
Join us this September for an unforgettable landscape and night photography workshop in one of the most dramatic desert environments in the Southwest, the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico.
This is not just a workshop. It’s a backcountry photography expedition designed for those who crave wild places, vast skies, and powerful storytelling through their images. You’ll travel deep into the badlands, where towering hoodoos and alien rock formations set the stage for truly cinematic photography.
Workshop Details
Location: Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
Dates: September 8th-13th, 2026
Group Size: Limited to 8 students
Hiking Difficulty: Easy to moderate (no more than 4 miles over rocky or sandy terrain)
What to Expect on This Overlanding Photo Adventure
This is a fully immersive field experience. You won’t be commuting from hotels or battling crowds at overlooks. Each participant will be set up with their own overlanding rig, your mobile basecamp for the journey. We’ll camp near our photography locations, giving us more time to shoot during golden hour, blue hour, and throughout the night.
You’ll receive hands-on instruction in:
Wide-angle landscape photography
Field composition and visual storytelling
Night photography and Milky Way techniques
Scouting and adapting to light in rugged terrain
We’ll also spend time back in town midway through the week for post-processing and image development, giving you a complete experience from capture to final edit.
*Be sure to check the logistics section for more information on inclusions.
Why This Photography Workshop is Different
This adventure is built for photographers who want more than just a pretty shot. It’s for those who want to live the story they’re capturing. With full access to remote terrain, flexible shooting conditions, and support from two experienced mentors, you’ll have the freedom to explore, create, and grow your skills in one of the most inspiring desert landscapes in the US.
We’ve designed this expedition to be as engaging as possible—focused on the craft, the journey, and the moments you’ll never forget.
Ideal For
Landscape photographers looking to capture unique, off-the-beaten-path scenes
Astrophotographers ready to refine their Milky Way shooting and composition
Adventure seekers who thrive in rugged terrain and under star-filled skies
Creatives who want to improve their storytelling, technical and editing skills
Photographers who value community, collaboration, and growth in the field
Call to Adventure: Reserve Your Spot Now
This is your chance to step away from the ordinary and experience a true photography expedition, one that will challenge you creatively and leave you with unforgettable images and stories.
Spots are limited to maintain an intimate and personalized experience.
Secure your place today and join us for the journey into the wild.
Ready to go? Scroll down to register or contact us with any questions.
Adventure Fieldcraft & Overlanding Skills
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How to travel and photograph responsibly in remote environments
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Building confidence navigating backroads, trail systems and dispersed camping areas
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Reading terrain and planning safe approaches for sunrise and night photography
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Managing gear in rugged conditions and organizing a mobile workflow
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Understanding weather patterns and how they shape photographic opportunities
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Building a safe and efficient camp setup for multi-day excursions
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Working with natural elements like wind, dust, storms, and low light
Landscape Photography in Wild Places
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How to find compositions in unfamiliar, untouched terrain
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Using foregrounds, leading lines and natural shapes to create story-rich images
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Working with extreme conditions like harsh sun, wind, or fast-changing weather
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Adapting creative decisions when scouting on the fly
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Mastering desert, canyon and mountainous environments through field-based learning
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Responding to spontaneous light, micro-atmospheres and rare moments
Night Photography & Astrophotography
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Planning and shooting Milky Way scenes using PhotoPills and field indicators
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Choosing and building compelling night compositions
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Blending natural landscapes with night skies for a cinematic feel
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Working with light pollution, moon phases and atmospheric clarity
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Focus stacking, star stacking and low-level lighting techniques
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Staying safe and confident during nighttime field sessions
Storytelling & Creative Process
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Developing images that feel like chapters of an expedition
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Capturing the spirit of a place rather than just its appearance
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Using weather, scale, texture and mood to shape narrative
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Shooting details, wide scenes and environmental portraits to build a cohesive story
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Working intuitively so creativity stays alive even in challenging conditions
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Learning to see possibility in any environment, not just “epic spots”
Editing Workflow for Adventure Photography
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Building natural color harmony that honors the landscape
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Recovering detail without over-editing or losing mood
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Combining exposure blends, stacks and sky work for polished results
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Developing a consistent style that fits the adventure narrative
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Creating final images that feel immersive, balanced and true to the scene
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Organizing and backing up images efficiently while traveling
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