The Ultimate Badlands Landscape Photography Workshop with Ramtin Kazemi and Erik Kuna

Join Erik Kuna and Ramtin Kazemi (Rammy) for an unforgettable five-day, four-night photography retreat in the otherworldly Badlands of South Dakota for some epic landscape photography.

This isn't the typical night photography workshop we'd run at MilkyWayWorkshops.com—it's an all-encompassing sunset, twilight, sunrise, and Milky Way photography adventure designed to teach you how to master the changing light from golden hour to galactic core focused specifically on Landscape and Travel Photography. Whether you're aiming to capture the Milky Way or that dramatic first light on the ridgelines, this workshop is about elevating your images across every phase of the day that us landscape photography know as those magic hours we all seek.

You'll learn from two of the best for this style of photography. Erik Kuna is an award-winning landscape photographer, aerospace photojournalist, night photography expert, and author of "The Night Photography Book" from Rocky Nook Publishing. Ramtin Kazemi, another award-winning landscape photographer, is known for his dramatic, moody landscapes and powerful post-processing techniques, brings a fresh take and complementary vision to this year’s ALL NEW experience. You can check out Rammy’s work at rammyk.com.

Set against the serene and intimate backdrop of a private ranch under pristine dark skies that backs right up to the Badlands National Park, this retreat is built for photographers who want to learn, shoot, and connect with nature, with mentors, and with each other.

Workshop Highlights:

Master the Full Light Cycle: From golden hour to nightfall, you'll shoot during the best light of the day—and night. Learn to capture stunning single exposures, focus stacking, landscape blends, and even light-painted images.

Hands-On Field Work: Sunset to night and dusk and dawn and beyond—each day, you’ll be guided through real-world techniques by Erik and Rammy.

Daily Editing & Critiques: Every afternoon, dive into editing workshops and image reviews. Discover how to make your images sing, from capture to final process.

Astrophotography & Landscape Planning: Learn to visualize and plan your shoots for optimal conditions and results—whether it’s a Milky Way rise or a fiery sunrise.

Inclusive Experience: Designed for participants aged 18 to 80. If you can walk a few hundred yards with mild hiking, you’ll be able to enjoy every part of this workshop. With that said, this will be a little more intense than our typical workshop, but if you can hike a few hundred yards on badlands landscape terrain, we can accommodate you. Contact us if you have any questions, since most people can handle it, but we want everyone to be comfortable before booking. 

Culinary Delight: It’s not just about the stars—the food here is next level. We’re talking the best breakfast west of the Mississippi and five-star dinners every night. Attendees rave about this part of the experience every year.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to shoot during twilight, golden hour, and night
• Exposure blending and multi-shot stacking
• Tracked landscape astrophotography
• Planning and scouting with apps like PhotoPills and Astrospheric
• Post-processing workflows from two distinct expert styles

The Schedule:

After our first night getting settled and getting out shooting, each day kicks off with a dawn shoot, then we come back and give you mornings to rest, review, or explore. After lunch, the afternoon is packed with post-processing, critiques, and in-depth lessons. Then, after a group early bird dinner so we can get out in the field, we hit the road and photograph sunset into the night at some special spots. The private ranch even allows late-night Milky Way shoots from the back porch. Sleep, recharge, and repeat. It’s immersive, without being overwhelming. Plus, you can choose to sleep in and bypass shoots if you need to recharge. 

Bonus Sessions:

You’ll also get three pre-workshop Zoom calls to prep and connect, and one post-workshop session to follow up on your growth. Plus, you’ll have the option to get your images reviewed by Erik and Rammy after the event.

Registration Includes:

• 4 Nights Lodging at our Private Retreat
• Gourmet Breakfasts & Dinners with the Crew
• All Transportation Between Shooting Locations
• All Permits, Fees, and Specialized Equipment you'll need
• Exclusive Location Access & Releases
• Afternoon Image Reviews & Post-Processing Training
• Daily Masterclasses
• Pre- & Post-Workshop Zoom Sessions
• Access to Erik and Rammy

REGISTRATION DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Flights and transportation to and from our retreat location near Interior, South Dakota. 
• We can coordinate early arrivals and late departures if you want to extend your stay. 
• Rapid City Regional Airport is located one hour from our retreat. Some attendees also come in from Denver International, usually when they're planning adventures around the workshop. Contact us if you're looking for ideas and suggestions. 
• Transportation from Rapid City Regional Airport can be arranged for September 15th at 11am, Please contact us after booking to reserve a spot.

Optional Upgrades:

• Private Room Upgrade: Prefer your own space? Secure a private room for a small additional fee.
• Spouse Add-On: Bring your spouse along for the journey! Includes lodging, meals—but not the instructional content and shooting. Spouses enjoy the relaxing environment of the ranch and go on their own adventures in the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota. 

Join Us for a True Photography Adventure This is more than just a workshop—it's a creative reset, an inspirational deep dive, and a chance to take your photography to the next level under some of the most dramatic skies and otherworldly landscapes in North America.

Spots are limited to keep things personal and impactful. Book now and make 2025 the year you master EPIC light—from sunset to stars.