Jon will guide you through the art and craft of astrophotography—making the technical approachable and the creative expansive. Through hands-on instruction, night sky walk-throughs, and one-on-one support in the field, Jon will help you capture breathtaking images of the Milky Way and star trails, whether you’re using a DSLR or your phone. You’ll walk away with new skills, deeper confidence behind the lens, and photographs that hold more than beauty—they’ll hold meaning.

During the workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Learn how to shoot star trails and Milky Way compositions with intention and care

• Explore creative camera techniques in a way that’s supportive for all levels—from total beginners to seasoned night sky shooters

• Receive personalized guidance on gear, settings, and storytelling through your images

• Discover how photography can deepen your connection to place, presence, and memory

• Experience the stars as both subject and teacher

Saturday Hike & Night Shoot Details:

• ~2.5 mile roundtrip hike through open desert

• We’ll head out mid-afternoon to arrive in time for sunset, shoot through full dark, and return under the stars

• We’ll be in the field for 6–7 hours—please come prepared with warm layers, headlamp, water, and meals/snacks

Physical Requirements:

• The Saturday hike is moderate in length but may be challenging for those unaccustomed to hiking on uneven terrain in dry desert conditions

• All other movement throughout the weekend will be gentle—short walks from camp, stretching, and seated meditations

• This experience is designed to be accessible, and we’ll move at a supportive group pace

Please Note:

• Our photography location is around 4,000 feet above sea level

• If you’re coming from a lower elevation or a more humid climate, we encourage you to hydrate well before and during the retreat to help acclimate to the altitude and dry desert air

Your retreat registration includes two nights at the hottest billion-star hotel in the area—Cottonwood Campground, located on the serene southern side of Joshua Tree National Park. Nestled between open desert and star-studded sky, this is your home base for stillness, connection, and wonder.

NO GEAR? NO PROBLEM! We offer a gear rental package that includes:

• A four-person tent

• Two sleeping pads

• Two sleeping bags

  → All for $150 for the weekend. Just let us know in your registration form if you’d like to reserve a set.

Please note:

• Flushing toilets and potable water are available on site

• There are no showers at this campground—we promise the starlight and fresh desert air more than make up for it

What this space offers you:

• Easy access to trails, sunsets, and open sky

• A peaceful, less-crowded corner of the park ideal for stargazing and quiet reflection

• A supportive, community-centered camping experience—you’ll never have to set up alone unless you want to

• The simplicity and spaciousness that helps you drop in, settle down, and breathe

Sydney + Barry will hold the container for this experience—from the opening circle to the final sendoff. You’ll receive thoughtfully crafted workshops, journaling prompts, and reflection sessions to help you connect more deeply to yourself, the land, and the creative process. We’ll guide group conversations and create space for stillness, storytelling, and sensory immersion—so you don’t just capture the moment, you feel it fully.

During the weekend, you’ll be invited to:

• Reflect on your relationship to memory, meaning, and presence through writing and group dialogue

• Explore the theme of Stillness Under Stars—both as metaphor and embodied experience

• Practice slowing down and tuning in before you pick up the camera

• Learn how to connect what you see outside with what you’re carrying inside

• Experience nature not just as a backdrop, but as a collaborator in your healing and creativity

These workshops are designed to support deep personal insight, spark creative expression, and remind you that your story belongs here—on the trail, under the stars, and in community.

While our healing journeys are deeply personal and unique to our lived experiences, we all have at least one thing in common: we’ve survived everything life has dealt our way so far. Healing in community reminds us that we are never alone in what we’ve experienced—and that together, we rise.

During this retreat, you’ll be invited to:

• Participate in fireside storytelling circles that foster deep listening and shared understanding

• Practice reflective journaling and gentle sharing to connect your personal experience with the greater themes of the weekend

• Learn how to hold space for others and be held in return—without needing to fix or perform

• Explore creative expression as a tool for connection—through words, images, and presence

• Build meaningful relationships with fellow participants rooted in curiosity, compassion, and shared wonder

Community doesn’t mean losing yourself—it means being reminded of who you are, and that you never have to walk this path alone.

When it’s all said and done, and you’ve emptied the last of the desert sand out of your boots, what’s next?

Each of our events includes a Google Drive folder chock-full of photos from the event, a gorgeous workbook modeled after Sydney’s book Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love - created with intention to help you reflect and integrate your experiences from the weekend, and a recap video you can watch any time you need a reminder of the stillness we found together under the stars.

On Saturday, we’re excited to share meals from Good to Go for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

You’ll want to bring your own food for dinner on Friday and breakfast on Sunday.