May 24th - 4:30 am



Imagine waking up long before dawn, packing your gear by moonlight, and heading out with a small group of like-minded photographers — all chasing something rare: the chance to build breathtaking, editorial-level images in one of the most surreal landscapes on earth. On September 21st, we’re taking a select few photographers out to Great Sand Dunes National Park for a full day of hands-on, immersive lighting and shooting.


This isn’t your typical park portrait stroll or a safe, shaded garden shoot. This is raw Colorado terrain, giant rolling dunes that swallow you whole, with nothing but sun, wind, and endless shifting lines. It’s exactly the kind of environment that pushes you — and your lighting — to the next level. We’ll build real sets right there on the dunes, tackle harsh noon sun and golden hour glow, and craft images you simply can’t replicate in a studio.


All permits and location permissions are secured by JJ Constantine, so you can focus purely on leveling up your craft without worrying about logistics or park regulations. By the end of the day, you won’t just have new shots. You’ll have actual experience directing, lighting, and creating under truly challenging conditions — the kind of skill and confidence that sets you apart instantly in any market.


✨ Reserve Now — Limited Spots Available (4 max)

Because this is a true high-impact field workshop, we’re keeping the group small. That means more one-on-one coaching, more hands-on time with modifiers and lighting setups, and the freedom to actually explore different ideas without a crowd hovering. (click here for financing disclosure)


It’s $1,100, payable via Klarna or Affirm, making it easy to break into manageable payments — so you can lock in your spot without putting off the opportunity.


📝 The plan for the day

🏙️ 4:30AM — Meet at the studio (1970 S. Bannock St., Denver, CO 80223)

  • Quick gear checks, coffee, meet the crew.
  • Final packing into carpools.


🚗 5:00–9:00 AM — Drive out to Great Sand Dunes

  • Watch the sun rise over southern Colorado’s mountains from the road.
  • On the way, we’ll break down location lighting strategy, gear load-outs, and exactly what to expect when setting up on shifting sand.


🏜️ 9:00–10:00 AM — Arrive, hike into the dunes & setup

  • Short walk to our selected ridges.
  • Scout for wind patterns, footprints, and best backdrops to keep images pristine.


☀️ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Shooting under harsh light

  • Learn how to control mid-morning and direct sun using scrims, diffusers, reflectors, and 1-2 light setups.
  • Practice overpowering sunlight vs. subtle fill to match the mood you want.


🥤 12:00–1:00 PM — On-location break

  • Quick meal on the dunes, hydration, review of first sets on tethered screens.


🌅 1:00–5:00 PM — Afternoon into golden hour magic

  • Push deeper looks with complex light shaping.
  • Experiment with layered ambient + on location lights, hard rim light, and editorial framing.
  • Wrap with breathtaking low-angle golden light shots as the sun drops — the kind of images that instantly elevate your portfolio.


🍗 5:30–11:00 PM — Head back

  • Stop for food (KFC is famously one of the only options on this run, and after 10 hours in the sand it’ll taste like fine dining).
  • Q&A on retouching considerations for sand & sun shoots.


🏠 ~11:00 PM — Back in Denver

  • Tired, sun-tinged, with a card full of images that look like they were shot halfway across the world.


⚡️ What you’ll walk away with

✅ Mastery over lighting and posing in one of the harshest, most beautiful environments you’ll ever shoot in.

✅ Real hands-on work with scrims, diffusers, reflectors, and multi-light setups, learning exactly how small tweaks radically change the mood.

✅ The confidence to run your own high-production on-location shoots, knowing your gear and creative direction hold up under pressure.

✅ Exclusive portfolio work that nobody else in your market has — instantly putting your brand on a different level.


🔥 Ready to reserve your spot?

This is an exclusive, limited-entry workshop for photographers serious about taking their work beyond typical park portraits or easy backlight setups.

It’s designed to give you the tools, experience, and images that separate you from every other local shooter.


Lock in your spot with Klarna or Affirm payment plans and make the investment in your skillset that will pay off for years to come.


👉 Reserve your place today — before it fills.

finencing options available via Klarna and aFFirm (view financing disclosure)


🔄 Rescheduling & Weather

Your experience matters, and we’ll always do our best to make sure it’s exceptional. In case of bad weather, we’ll reschedule this workshop within 30 days, doing everything possible to coordinate with everyone’s schedules. If you’re unable to attend due to illness or personal emergency, your booking will be converted into a full credit toward any future workshop, so your investment is protected. Please note that because these events are extremely limited and planned well in advance, we do not offer direct refunds for illness-related cancellations.