Workshops / Photo tours
For beginners and professionals alike. Join the world's only workshop devoted to capturing sunset and nighttime storms, along with the red sprite and transient luminous event phenomena.
A photo tour with a unique blend of storm chasing and astrophotography. Established in 2020 and with a 100% success rate.
Pursue the most beautiful of storms and the most coveted night sky image trophies with Paul M Smith Photography, a guide who has years of experience in capturing hundreds of such images from all over the USA. Join in on the ultimate nighttime photography/ chasing adventure under lightning-filled skies during the notoriously volatile spring and summer storm season of the US plains. Ultimately, be one of a small collection of people who can say they have seen/captured an amazing and beautifully unique red sprite event on camera. Currently in the fifth year with a 100% success rate for Red Sprite captures. Whether a photography beginner or a seasoned professional, this will be a night sky adventure you will never forget.
2027 Workshops
Three-night workshop dates 2027:
Workshops will involve a small group plus Paul and will take place within a 2-6 hour drive of Oklahoma City or Albuquerque. Although it is certainly possible to get sprite images when there is light interference from the moon, to provide the best possible conditions for captures, the following dates have been chosen to coincide with the darkest phases of the moon or with the moon rising late at night.
Two May 2027 Photo Tours- 3 nights. Fly in and out of Oklahoma City.
This workshop takes place within the new moon period of the peak severe weather season on the southern plains. There will be incredible opportunities for sunset supercells, distant nighttime updrafts, lightning, and other storm structures before red sprite photography. This is a great opportunity to observe classic sprite storms, as large storm systems sweep across the plains. Great potential exists for large dancing sprite events and secondary jets among other TLE's.
Transportation during the workshop and single hotel rooms are included in the price. Flights and food are not included.
Buy May 2nd-5th Photo Tour Here (sold out)
Buy May 6th-9th Photo Tour Here (sold out)
Two June 2027 Photo Tours- 3 nights. Fly in and out of the Oklahoma City airport. This is the peak season for severe weather opportunities in the plains. The Milky Way is high in the sky, and lightning bugs can be found to complement nighttime shoots. This is a great chance to chase sprites over large and powerful storm systems from some of the darkest and most picturesque terrain in the U.S. There is a great likelihood of catching the green ghost phenomenon during this period, as large, charge-pooling storms move slowly during the overnight hours.
Transportation during the workshop and single hotel rooms are included in the price. Flights and food are not included
Buy May 31st- June 3rd Photo Tour Here (3 remaining)
Buy June 4th-7th Photo Tour Here (Sold Out)
July and August Photo Tours (3 nights- dates TBD). Fly in and out of Albuquerque.
These workshops could have us chasing anywhere from the desolate deserts of New Mexico, Arizona, or Texas, to the plains of the Dakotas, Colorado, and Kansas. Many exciting opportunities await, with chances of aurora, noctilucent clouds, and strong airglow bands complementing red sprites and storm scenes. It is also a period when the conditions for super-rare gigantic jets are ripe.
Transportation during the workshop and single hotel rooms are included in the price. Flights and food are not included
Three-night workshop: What is included?:
- Accommodation for all nights through the trip. (Single occupancy, two-star minimum, Airbnb possible)
- Transportation throughout the duration of your trip, including pick up and drop off at the designated airport or hotel with shuttle**.
- Snacks and water. Starlink access point.
- Personal image post-processing tips from Paul Smith.
- Private tours, hotel upgrades, and vehicle upgrades are available. Email for details.
- What is not included: airfare, equipment, and meals.
What to expect from a stormy night sky workshop:
First and foremost, even though every single one of Paul's workshop guests to date has observed Red Sprites with their eyes, we cannot guarantee naked-eye viewing of sprites. If we are lucky enough to get the perfect distance from a strong sprite storm in dark skies, we could likely view them with our night-adjusted eyes. This is the experience Paul strives for with each of his guests.
The spring workshops will start in Oklahoma, the center of tornado alley, and may end in any of the adjacent states. Usually, there will be 2-6 hours of driving to get positioned for storms and dark skies on any night. There will be three or four passengers per vehicle, and Paul will be your personal guide throughout.
Forecasting a general area can be done a couple of days in advance, but usually, final decisions are made around 4 pm the night of the chase. An early, hearty supper is recommended before the chase begins, and then there will be opportunities for gas station breaks as the night goes on. The schedule is organic, with ongoing forecasting and repositioning possible during the day, and some days may involve long travel, with fast food dining as the only option.
Though focused mostly on sprites, blue jets, and other TLEs, the workshop will also include other stunning photographic opportunities. Spectacular sunsets, storm structures, lightning, and possibly even a long-range tornado or two could be encountered at any time. Paul prides himself on finding the most amazingly photogenic skies and scenes wherever they manifest.
Taking full advantage of the sunset, twilight, and early morning hours, some epic images of severe weather-related events with the most amazing light can be captured.
If cloud-free skies seem to be completely out of the question for any given night, we will probably opt to get closer to the storms for some lightning and storm structure photography.
**Please note, safety comes first in our workshops, and we are not a tornado-chasing tour. We will not be attempting nighttime tornado chases or severe storm punching. **
If storms are non-productive or out of range, we may opt to capture some dark sky Milky Way imagery. The southern plains are littered with unique photogenic subjects.
With the potential of a heavy travel schedule and lots of travel in the dark, it is recommended that you arrive well-rested and ready for an adventure. The typical chase will involve a 3 pm meetup for an early supper, and from there, it is go time until the early hours of the morning. We will plan to arrive at a hotel before sunrise. Usually, at a hotel close to our chase end sometime around 3- 4 a.m. and plan a late check-out for early the next afternoon.
All these times and schedules are flexible; some days there can be a lot of travel and multiple changes in plans as the weather matures. Paul prides himself on a 100% success rate, and often that involves extreme perseverance, patience, and tenacity during the chase days. Paul is also actively involved in science research projects. He may be carrying extra equipment for this purpose during the tours.
What to bring?
- *Recommended lenses may need to be rented- to be discussed upon booking.
SINGLE NIGHT MEET-UPS :
Already involved in a tour or local and just looking to get together for a night of captures? Contact me for single-night flex opportunities:
---- Please note that refunds will be given if tours do not come to fruition due to the host. Refunds will not be available for other reasons outside the host's control ----
PUBLIC HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS :
Your host has been vaccinated and will adhere to local and CDC guidelines for best practices. The grouping has been kept small, and we ask all guests to adhere to best practices.
The workshop liability form is to be signed on the date of the workshop. The form can be viewed here: Liability form
Registration and inquiries:
Contact info@paulmsmithphotography.com