Caddo at Night
Photography workshop
Highlights
-
Exclusive Access: Only four participants for exceptionally personalized instruction and safe night operations on the bayou.
-
Two Instructors: Learn from Alyce Bender and Gary Randall, combining deep field experience, creative approaches, and technical night-sky expertise.
-
Boat-Based Night Photography: Photograph Caddo’s iconic cypress silhouettes and mirror-still channels under the stars—an opportunity rarely offered.
-
Night-Focused Skill Building: Master manual focus in the dark, long exposures, low-light composition, and creative techniques specific to water-based astro.
-
Perfect Add-On: Extend your main Caddo workshop experience with a rare and memorable opportunity to photograph this landscape in a whole new light.
Experience Caddo Lake in a way few photographers ever witness—through the quiet, atmospheric beauty of nighttime on the bayou. This Night Sky Extension on Caddo Lake, led by Alyce Bender and Gary Randall, is built for photographers who want to explore night photography, long exposures, and astro-inspired compositions in one of the most unique wetland environments in the United States. With only four participants and two instructors, we move at a calm, safe pace on a low, stable boat, giving you the time and space to practice manual focus, low-light techniques, and thoughtful composition in dark conditions over water. From silhouetted cypress trees to mirror-still channels, every night offers new creative opportunities that simply don’t exist during daylight hours.
Because we work directly from the bayou—embracing whatever conditions nature provides, including stars, moonlight, fog, or deep ambient darkness—this extension blends hands-on instruction from Alyce and Gary with the immersive experience of photographing Caddo Lake after sunset. Lodging and breakfast are included, keeping the focus on learning and late-night shooting. With personalized guidance tailored to your skill level, this add-on elevates your main workshop experience and opens the door to unique nighttime images of Caddo Lake that stand out in any portfolio. Whether you’re new to low-light work or building on existing skills, this extension delivers a rare, intimate opportunity for boat-based night photography in one of Texas’s most atmospheric landscapes.
Please note: While we do everything possible to maximize shooting opportunities, night sky clarity is not guaranteed. Clouds, fog, haze, or bright moonlight may limit some/all celestial visibility. When this occurs, we shift to alternative low-light photography options and creative exercises that work with the conditions provided. Because sky visibility cannot be controlled, no refunds or partial refunds will be offered for limited or obscured night sky conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Orientation & First Night on the Bayou
Upon the conclusion of the Colors of Caddo workshop, we’ll reconvene in the late afternoon for a focused classroom session designed to prepare you for working confidently in dark conditions. We’ll review recommended gear, essential camera settings, safety considerations, and practical techniques for operating your equipment on the water at night. This foundation ensures that once we are in the field, you can stay present, aware, and ready to adapt to whatever the bayou gives us.
After class, we’ll enjoy dinner together before heading out onto Caddo Lake for our first multi-hour nighttime photography session. Moving by boat through the quiet channels, we’ll work with available light—stars, moon glow, reflections, or ambient darkness—to build long-exposure compositions and explore the unique atmosphere of the lake after sunset. This session sets the tone for the extension and opens the door to a completely different side of Caddo’s character.
Day 2 – Review, Refinement & Final Night on the Lake
After a late night on the water, the morning begins slowly. Participants are welcome to sleep in, or—if the mood strikes—head out on their own for a relaxed sunrise session in the local area. A homecooked breakfast will be served as we begin downloading files and reviewing images from the night before. The daytime hours are intentionally unstructured, allowing for a comfortable flow of group conversations, one-on-one feedback, or quiet time to rest and reset before our final night on the bayou.
In the late afternoon, we’ll gather once more to address any common challenges or questions that surfaced during our first night session, ensuring everyone feels confident heading into the evening. After dinner, we’ll return to the lake for our second and last nighttime tour—another multi-hour opportunity to capture whatever magic Caddo offers. Whether it’s stars, moonlit reflections, drifting fog, or the simple stillness of the water after dark, this night gives us one more chance to create images that celebrate the unique character of Caddo Lake.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Day 3 - Final Review & Departure
Our final morning on the bayou is intentionally quiet. Participants may choose to sleep in after two nights on the water or head out for a personal sunrise session in the local area. A warm breakfast will be served as we gather for a final image review, celebrating the work created during the extension and addressing any last questions or techniques you’d like to refine.
Included Meal: Breakfast
We’ll wrap up the workshop with goodbyes and check-out at 11:00 a.m., giving everyone time to organize gear and prepare for travel. It’s a gentle close to an immersive experience and a chance to carry home new skills, new images, and a deeper sense of Caddo Lake’s nighttime character.
A. BENDER PHOTOGRAPHY LLC IS AN AUTHORIZED PERMITTEE OF CADDO LAKE STATE PARK
I
Inclusions
-
In-field Photography Instruction w/Alyce Bender and Gary Randall
-
2 Chartered boat sessions
-
2 Nights Lodging - Single rooms with shared baths
-
Listed Meals
-
Water/Coffee/Tea
-
Image Reviews and Post-Processing Sessions
-
All Entrance Fees & Permits
-
Guide Gratuities
E
Exclusions
-
Transportation to/from your home to and in Uncertain, TX
-
Any Meals, Snacks, and Beverages not listed
-
Any pre- or post-tour TX lodging or transportation
-
Personal Purchases
-
Travel/Gear Insurance
-
Instructor Gratuities
Meet Your Instructors
