Mastering the Night Sky
Astrophotography Workshop

Workshop overview

Acadia’s rocky shoreline, lakes and forested mountains create a varied setting for night photography. This workshop combines planning, camera setup and in-field sessions so you can build a repeatable approach to capturing the night sky.

We will practice making intentional compositions, focusing in the dark, choosing exposure settings and balancing foreground with sky. Learn to create single exposures, blended and stacked images, panoramas, and star trails. Weather and sky visibility change quickly along the coast; the schedule and locations adapt to conditions.

Details

Location  Acadia National Park, based in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Dates 
2027 Photography Nights: June 2–5, 2027. Departure June 6.
2028 Photography Nights: June 21–24, 2028. Departure June 25.
Price  $2,395 per attendee.
Drop-in option  $650 per day, subject to availability.
Duration: Five calendar days, including four nights of guided astrophotography instruction.
Group size  Limited to five participants.
Experience level  All levels; familiarity with manual camera settings is helpful.

Highlights

• Four nights of guided astrophotography in Acadia National Park, with opportunities to photograph the Milky Way, coastal landscapes, and other night-sky subjects.

• Instruction in planning, focus, exposure and composition.

• Learn to create single exposures, blended and stacked images, panoramas, and star trails.

• A group meal at a local dining establishment.

• One-on-one post-workshop editing session via Discord.

Field experience

What you will learn

• Plan Milky Way position and timing with PhotoPills or a similar app.

• Focus accurately in low light and verify sharpness in the field.

• Choose shutter speed, aperture and ISO for stars and foreground.

• Use foreground shapes, shoreline details and reflections to build depth.

• Create stacked and blended images.

• Create panorama images.

• Create star trail images.

• Organize and process night-sky files with a repeatable editing workflow.

How the experience unfolds

The workshop includes four nights of guided astrophotography, combining hands-on field instruction with camera setup, composition, exposure techniques, and night-sky planning.

Our field sessions typically begin in the evening and continue into the early morning hours, allowing us to take advantage of Acadia's dark skies and changing coastal conditions.

Each night's itinerary is flexible and adapted to weather, cloud cover, moon phase, and safe access to photography locations. When conditions are unfavorable, we may adjust locations, modify our shooting plans, or focus on other relevant photography techniques and instruction.

The fifth calendar day is reserved for departure, with no scheduled evening photography session. A detailed itinerary will be provided before the workshop.

Where we photograph

Potential locations include established coastal and inland viewpoints such as Otter Cliff, Sand Beach and Jordan Pond, subject to park access, safety, weather and light. Exact locations and Milky Way alignments vary by date. The workshop does not guarantee clear skies or a specific celestial event.

Booking and planning

What is included

• Four nights of hands-on astrophotography instruction in Acadia National Park.

• Transportation during scheduled field sessions from the designated local meeting point.

• A flexible nightly itinerary adapted to weather, sky conditions, and photographic opportunities.

• Water and snacks in the workshop vehicle.

• One group meal at a local dining establishment.

• One-on-one post-workshop editing session via Discord, scheduled separately.

What you will need to cover

• Lodging, flights, airport transfers.

• Travel insurance and personal expenses are also your responsibility.

• Park entrance fees.

• Camera or lens rentals.

• Meals. (other than the included group meal)

Arrival and accommodation

We recommend arriving in Bar Harbor, Maine, at least one day before the workshop begins to allow time for travel, check-in, and preparation.

The workshop includes four nights of guided astrophotography, with the final photography session beginning on the fourth evening and potentially continuing into the early morning hours of the following day.

2027 Workshop: June 2–6, with photography sessions scheduled for June 2, 3, 4, and 5.

2028 Workshop: June 21–25, with photography sessions scheduled for June 21, 22, 23, and 24.

The final calendar day is reserved for departure. Because our last photography session may continue into the early morning, we recommend allowing adequate time for rest before traveling.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging, flights, and airport transportation. We recommend confirming your workshop schedule before making nonrefundable travel reservations.

Camera equipment

Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls, a wide-angle lens at f/2.8 or faster if available, a sturdy tripod, spare batteries and memory cards, a headlamp with red-light mode and weather protection. An intervalometer is useful.

Clothing and footwear

Coastal nights can be cold and damp, so bring warm layers and sturdy footwear.

Why join us?

Join Wildscape Adventure for four nights of hands-on astrophotography instruction in Acadia National Park, one of the premier destinations for night-sky photography on the East Coast.

Designed for photographers of all experience levels, this small-group workshop focuses on developing the technical skills and practical knowledge needed to confidently photograph the night sky.

Under the guidance of professional photographer Christopher Georgia, you'll explore techniques including single exposures, image stacking and blending, panoramas, and star trails. We'll also cover night-sky planning, composition, exposure settings, and focusing techniques while working in the field.

With a maximum of five participants, the workshop offers personalized instruction and the flexibility to adapt each night's experience to changing weather and sky conditions.

Whether you're photographing the Milky Way for the first time or looking to refine your existing skills, Mastering the Night Sky provides an opportunity to learn, practice, and develop your astrophotography techniques in Acadia's remarkable coastal environment.