Capture the Cosmos – June Workshop Recap

If there is one thing I've learned from photographing nature and teaching astrophotography workshops, it's that Mother Nature always has the final say.

Our June Capture the Cosmos workshop in Big Bend National Park was a perfect example of that.

The week started with the familiar heat of a West Texas summer. Warm temperatures, dramatic clouds, and plenty of anticipation as we welcomed another amazing group of photographers to Big Bend. As always, our goal was to get everyone under some of the darkest skies in North America and help them capture the beauty of the Milky Way.

Then the weather decided to take us on a roller coaster ride.

What began as clouds quickly turned into severe thunderstorms that swept across the region. Heavy rain led to flash flooding, power outages, and even the loss of cell phone service throughout parts of the area. While many destinations would have struggled to handle those conditions, we were fortunate to be based at Far Flung Outdoor Center. Their generators kept things running, and their BBQ grills helped keep everyone fed and comfortable while we waited to see what the weather would do next.

Through it all, our workshop participants were incredible.

Not once did I hear complaints about the changing plans or challenging conditions. Instead, everyone embraced the adventure. We chased dramatic sunsets, explored blue hour compositions, shared stories, laughed together, and made the best of every opportunity the desert offered us. It's groups like this that remind me why I love teaching workshops.

Then, just when it seemed the weather might have the final word, Big Bend gave us one last gift.

The following evening the skies cleared.

Stars began appearing overhead, and before long the Milky Way stretched across the sky in all its glory. We spent the night photographing until the early morning hours, capturing the galaxy above some of Big Bend's iconic landscapes. After days of uncertainty, standing beneath those clear skies felt even more rewarding.

Looking back, this workshop wasn't memorable because everything went according to plan. It was memorable because it didn't. The unexpected challenges, the adaptability of the group, and the shared experience of finally getting our night under the stars created memories that will last far longer than any weather forecast.

With the June workshop complete, we've officially wrapped up our Big Bend workshops for the year. It's always bittersweet leaving one of my favorite places on earth, but I'm grateful for every participant who joined us this season and trusted Brandon and me with their photography journey.

Now my attention turns toward a few personal adventures and our next workshop offering:

Mountain Gold & Milky Way – Southwest Colorado

This October we'll be heading into the mountains of Southwest Colorado during peak fall color season. Golden aspens, crisp mountain air, snow-dusted peaks, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Rockies await. If conditions cooperate, we'll even have opportunities to photograph the Milky Way before the galactic core slips away for the winter.

We're also offering a special add-on experience featuring a cowgirl portrait session among the fall colors with the stunning La Sal Mountains outside Moab serving as the backdrop. It's a unique opportunity to combine western storytelling, autumn color, and dramatic mountain scenery into one unforgettable photography experience.

We only have a few spots remaining for October, so if you've been considering joining us, now is the time.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us in Big Bend this year. The weather may not always cooperate, but the friendships, memories, and experiences we create together are what truly make these workshops special.

I'll see you under the stars.

— Michael Simmons

DistantLightPhotos