Home > Travel Workshops > Mid-Coast Maine: Astrophotography Weekend

Mid-Coast Maine: Astrophotography Weekend

Pemaquid Point, Bristol, ME

May 30 - June 2, 2024

Experience three nights photographing a blanket of stars under some of the darkest skies in the Northeast region.

What to expect: Learning along side other photographers in this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll explore how to capture stars, the milky way, and the famous Pemaquid Point lighthouse. The costal rock ledges create a striking shoreline that separates the Atlantic and evergreen trees. Our central meeting point, a lighthouse commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1827, becomes a welcome subject in our landscape astrophotography.

Our home-base for the weekend will be The Bradley Inn, a full-service bed and breakfast. A beautiful sanctuary, the inn offers guests a charming, comfortable, and warm environment that truly exudes the essence of Maine.

Throughout the weekend you’ll enjoy small group lessons, ample 1:1 time with your instructors, guided nighttime sessions, an editing session, and complimentary breakfasts provided by the in-house chef.

This weekend workshop is truly one of our favorite offerings, with incredible landscape, macro, astrophotography photos, and a Mid-Coast Maine experience that everyone will enjoy.

What You’ll Learn

  • Equipment: Become familiar with the required gear and accessories as you work on the basics of astrophotography.

  • Set up: Learn how to plan, scout, and prep your camera for prime images.

  • Shooting: Practice manual mode, long exposures for nighttime landscape photography. Apply compositional techniques in the field.

  • Editing: Bring your images to life using Lightroom Classic and other tools.

Prerequisites:

Individual Guidance: If you’d like to get 1:1 instruction prior to the workshop, we offer virtual and in-person private lessons!

Deposit Today: $250.00 USD
Total Tuition: $925.00 USD


Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Duration: 3 Days/3 Nights
Setting: Mostly outdoors
Student Count: 7
Instructor Count: 2


What’s Included:

  • 3 nights of astrophotography instruction.

  • 3-days access to 1:1 instruction with instructors.

  • Digital Workshop Guide to help prepare for the workshop.

  • 2-hour editing session (with lunch) at The Bradley Inn.

  • 60-minute preliminary astro workshop (via zoom).

  • Access to 3hrs of video tutorials using Lightroom Classic (photo editing software)

What’s Not Included:

  • Transportation to and from Maine.

  • Accommodations, gratuities, and meals while in Maine.

  • Camera, laptop, and personal equipment.

Projected Itinerary

(Subject to change due to weather)

Day 1

  • We strongly encourage students to arrive prior to 6:00 PM EST to enjoy golden hour at Pemaquid Point. Instructors will provide scouting tips and help you familiarize yourself with the grounds.

  • An optional dinner will take place at the Bradley Inn at 7:30 PM EST. Reservations required.

  • Your first astrophotography session will be held under the stars. We’ll help you get started on your first shots of long exposure nightscapes. A fantastic “astro 101” night.

  • An optional sunrise session at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse will be offered.

All activities in Day 1 are optional, though we strongly encourage students to join us in the first astrophotography session.

Day 2

  • We start the day with an delicious breakfast provided by the hotel (included)

  • A relaxed an optional AM photo-walk will be offered.

  • Around noon we’ll meet and learn about astro scouting, helpful phone apps, and offer helpful astro tips

  • Around 2p another we’ll have another daytime photo walk to experience the slow turn into evening at the lighthouse.

  • Dinner break around 6PM EST. Recommendations will be provided.

  • Similar to our first night, you will photograph the stars with instructors by your side offering suggestions and guidance. Throughout the night, you’ll have the option to try capturing star trails!

  • An optional sunrise session at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse will be offered.

Day 3

  • A 90-minute Lightroom Classic editing session, which includes lunch provided by The Bradley Inn, will be held from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM EST. You will have an opportunity to bring your photos to life and practice image stacking. The group is welcome to participate in showcasing their edits after 2:00 PM EST.

  • Dinner will take place at The Bradley Inn at 7:30 PM EST. Reservations required.

  • Similar to our first and second nights, students will refine their skills in the field as they capture images of the stars with the guidance of instructors.

Day 4

  • Students can meet instructors for a goodbye breakfast at The Bradley Inn from 8:30 - 9:30 AM EST, with checkout from the Inn at 11:00 AM EST.

Registration, Key Dates, and Payment Information

Deposit Today: $250.00 USD / Full Tuition: $899.00 USD

  • A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 USD is due upon registration.

  • 30 days before departure: Final payment of $675.00 USD is due.

  • 21 days before departure: Eligible for 50% refund, minus the $250.00 USD nonrefundable deposit.

  • 14 days before departure: No refund can be given by this date. The $250.00 USD deposit can be used towards other workshops within 2 years time.

  • Students are responsible for booking their accommodations at The Bradley Inn. Bookings are subject to the Inn’s refund and return policy.

The BPW’s cancellation and refund policy remains sensitive to the health concerns that affect our community. Paid tuition may be eligible for a full refund or credit if a cancellation was made due to health concerns. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

About the Bradley Inn

The BPW has partnered with The Bradley Inn to reserve a block of rooms; the rate will also include daily breakfast. This hotel is within 100 yards of Pemaquid Point lighthouse, our primary shooting location.

Students may contact The Bradley Inn by phone to complete room reservations. Please note that the Boston Photography Workshops is not responsible for student hotel reservations or special accommodation requests. Please also note the price of tuition is separate from the daily room rate provided at The Bradley Inn. Learn more about The Bradley Inn.

About the Instructors

Pete MacLellan: Former BPW student turned instructor, Pete has road tripped and photographed all over the US. The contrarian Nikon to Chris' Canon, you'll often hear him stating that you can, in fact, take good pictures from a moving car. When you need a hot tea on those chilly astro nights, find Pete setup somewhere nearby with his picnic blanket and camping stove.

Chris Sanchez: Founder of the BPW, Chris has spent more than 10 years taking photographs around the world for work and for fun. A lover of all things food-related and astrophotography, Chris usually has more snacks in his bag than lenses, but still manages to get great photos. During the trip if you need a snack... you know who to ask.