BIG BEND
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS
Why you should book an astrophotography session on your trip to Big Bend.
One of the main attractions of the Big Bend area is the iconic Big Bend night sky. The seemingly endless sea of stars, lack of light pollution, and remote quality of the area make it an unforgettable place to see the stars and Milky Way.
The Big Bend region is protected by the International Dark-Sky Association, designating it as Dark Sky Park so that future generations will have the opportunity to see the West Texas night sky the way we see it today.
While visiting Big Bend National Park or any of the surrounding areas, one of the best ways to document that beauty is with an astrophotography session. You may lose a little sleep, but it’s worth it to spend quality time under the bright Milky Way (and have photos to share of the experience).
HOW TO GET THE BEST STAR PHOTOS DURING
YOUR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY SESSION IN BIG BEND.
Full Moon vs New Moon
The moon phases play a huge role in how your star photos turn out. If you’re wanting the brightest night sky possible for your astrophotography photos, then be sure to book a date that coincides with the new moon!
Choosing a Location
There are a couple of key things to consider when picking the location for your astrophotography session. #1, you want a space that is elevated (could be a car roof, on rocks, etc).#2, you want a spot that doesn’t have distracting scrub-brush or flora to create silhouettes and shadows (unless it’s an artistic goal to do that!).
MOON CALENDAR.
What phase the moon is in on the night of your astrophotography session is one of the main factors that can impact how your star photos turn out. When the moon is full, it washes out the stars and clouds the Milky Way.
If star photos are important to you on your elopement or wedding day, make sure to book a date on or around a New Moon to get the darkest night sky possible and allow the Milky Way to shine.
FAQs
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The main consideration with location is to pick a spot that is clear of scrub brush and elevated so that you have the night sky nice and bright behind you. Aside from picking a spot that lets the stars stand out, it’s also important to select a location that doesn’t have light pollution from cars/houses/etc.
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Yes! I love doing family photoshoots in Big Bend. Just keep in mind that to get the best/sharpest photos requires the ability to stay still for 2-4 seconds at a time, so you’ll want to practice or prep your kiddos so that they know what to expect for the session. When picking a location, I can make sure to suggest options that are easily accessible and don’t require rock scrambling or hiking.
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Sometimes the weather doesn’t work in our favor and we get stuck with cloudy skies or a sky washed out with moonlight. In these situations, we can lean on creative lighting to get some cool night photos using string lights, a campfire, lanterns, or even car head lights!
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Astrophotography sessions flow a lot differently than a typical portrait session. They typically move a lot slower— setting up the shot takes more time and then with exposures that last four seconds or so, you’re often having to focus on staying as still as possible during that time!
Don’t be intimidated though — I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect and how to get the best photos before your shoot!
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Light props can bring some extra spice to your photos and switch up the style! Once you book your session, I’ll send over my Astrophotography Session Guide with a list of ideas for props and creative lights we could include in the session. Aside from various light props, during the colder months I’d recommend bringing handwarmers to keep you comfy. And at all times of the year, I’d recommend bringing headlamps or your phone to help light the path while walking to the photo location!
THE STARS AT NIGHT, ARE BIG AND BRIGHT, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS.
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Travel Tip 🔭
If you love the night sky, your trip to Big Bend is not complete without a visit to the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Check their schedule and book a star party and get the opportunity to view the night sky through their huge telescopes.
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Packing List ⭐
When packing for your trip to Big Bend, make sure to take a moment and download a star-identification app! I like using the SkyView app but there are many apps out there. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can enter live mode and hold up the phone to the sky to view constellations and even see the names of stars and planets in the night sky.
BOOK A BIG BEND ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY SESSION.
Ready to make your trip to Big Bend even more memorable? Grab your headlamps and let’s go on an adventure. Get in touch at the link below to book your own astrophotography photo session.
