Twilight to Starlight Photography Tour

This photography workshop-style tour is designed for participants that wish to begin their journey into the realm of nighttime photography (or experienced photographers that just want to learn new skills or practice their technique), using cameras with full manual control over shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. A sturdy tripod mount is essential and can be provided (upon request). Smartphone users are welcome to join and experiment with manual camera apps, though the instruction will focus on DSLR and Mirrorless camera systems.

New for Summer 2026: We are thrilled to finally be able to offer our own nighttime photography experience, provided by one of our very own guides!

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Difficulty Rating: Easy
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
Price: $139 per participant
Available: May - Oct.
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Suited to photographers (beginner, amateur or professional) of all ages and fitness levels.

What’s included in the Tour?

• Personalized photography instruction provided by knowledgeable, friendly, experienced local professional photographer/ tour guide
• Headlamp (if requested in advance)
• Use of our high quality tripods (if needed/requested)
• Use of our smartphone tripod adaptors (if needed/requested)

What to Bring / Wear

• Camera (DSLR / mirrorless camera, or smartphone)
• Tripod (if you have one)
• Extra batteries for your camera (cool nighttime temperatures can drain your batteries quickly)
• Whenever you are taking part in outdoor activities in the mountains, it is a good idea to dress in layers appropriate for the weather (e.g. Tops: base-layer t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, sweater or fleece, outer-layer jacket; Bottoms: shorts, long underwear, pants)
• Appropriate outerwear suited for the weather (a good windbreaker or rain jacket)
• Wear good, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
• Appropriate headwear (hat, bandana, warm toque, if desired)
• Gloves
• A small backpack (with rain-cover, if you have one) to carry all of your kit
• Your own headlamp with required red-light setting (if desired)
• Your own hiking poles (if desired)
• Any medications / allergy prevention
• Snacks/Water
• A Sense of Adventure and an interest to learn!

Highlights

This 3-hour introductory low-light photography workshop-style tour begins when you meet your experienced, local, professional photographer and tour guide at the Waterton Planetarium near Cameron Falls. The first part of the experience will treat you to a short classroom-style lecture where you will learn about night photography techniques (long exposure, low-light settings, etc.); the night sky and landscape composition; and will ultimately prepare you to use your camera equipment in the field throughout the rest of the experience.

No advanced night photography experience is required.

Upon leaving the Waterton Planetarium, you will begin a 2-3 km leisurely walk, at a relaxed pace that is suitable for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Primarily following walking trails that feature some uneven terrain that may require careful footing, the group will make its way to a number of specially chosen locations around the Waterton townsite that are perfect to practice the low-light photography techniques your instructor has already shared with you. This tour does NOT access remote backcountry locations. The Waterton townsite environment offers a practical and rewarding photography-skills training ground, mixing dark skies with ambient DarkSky-compliant lighting. The shoreline of Upper Waterton Lake offers rich opportunities to capture twilight colour, reflections, and, on clear nights, stars mirrored on the water, while the silhouetted peaks of the surrounding mountain create striking compositional backdrops.

Participants will learn to:

• Incorporate natural elements such as mountains, water, and shoreline into low-light scenes, creating images that blend landscape and subtle nighttime lighting;
• Balance natural sky tones with artificial lighting;
• Compose images that incorporate urban elements;
• Manage exposure in mixed and low-light conditions;
• Adapt techniques for environments with light pollution;

These real-world skills are transferable to night shooting anywhere. By session's end, you'll have a strong foundation for capturing compelling images after dark, regardless of location.

Please note that we do NOT cancel tours due to poor weather; all tours will go ahead regardless of the weather, unless your safety (or that of your camera equipment) is of concern. If the weather is not conducive to outdoor night photography outdoors, your professional photographer guide may alter the tour's itinerary appropriately.

If you would rather try to reschedule to a subsequent night with clear skies instead, it is your responsibility to use the self-serve feature in your confirmation email, or contact us, in advance of the 48-hour cut-off limit (as described in our cancellation policy) and request to reschedule (subject to availability). Upon hearing from you, we will do our best to reschedule you to a subsequent night's tour.