A Journey Beneath the Stars: A Starry Night Session in Eastern Oregon
It’s a safe bet to say that Starry Night Sessions are Steven’s favorite thing to photograph. There’s something about packing a camera, a tripod, and a sense of wonder, then hitting the road with a couple in a rental car ready for something more than just photos — something unforgettable and life-changing. This Starry Night Session wasn’t just a photo shoot. It was a four-day journey across Oregon’s most remote and beautiful corners, filled with laughter, weather curveballs, and the kind of perspective only a dark starry-night can offer. We had the incredible pleasure of sharing a Starry Night Session with our couple Allison and Jeff in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, and we’ll never forget it; here is our experience with them!
Day 1: Alpacas & Cloudy Skies
Our adventure began in Redmond, Oregon, where we met up after landing! Allison and Jeff live in Central Oregon, so Steven and assistant Anthony hopped on flights to Redmond with all of our gear to meet them, and we couldn’t ask for a better uber LOL! Jeff pulled up with their Jeep Wrangler Renegade, PERFECT for a road trip out west! Anthony and I hopped in the backseat, got settled, and we kicked off the trip with something a little different — a visit to Crescent Moon Ranch Alpaca Farm. Feeding and playing with alpacas was a hilarious and heartwarming way to shake off travel fatigue and connect with the down-to-earth vibe we love about Central Oregon. I mean, who doesn’t love alpacas?! (oh yeah we totally did the same thing on our last Starry Night Session too LOL)
Afterward, we headed to the cozy town of Sisters (recently DarkSky certified by the way!), checked into our hotel, and grabbed dinner to fuel up for our first attempt at capturing the Milky Way. That night, we made the drive up to the Dee Wright Observatory, one of Oregon’s coolest high-elevation locations nestled in a sea of ancient lava rock. While we were treated to a stunning sunset session for some unique portraits around a lava rock landscape, the stars after dark had other plans. Clouds rolled in and didn’t budge. After a few hours of waiting and hoping, we packed it in and headed back down the mountain. Not to worry though, whenever we plan these Starry Night Sessions, we try to plan at least two nights of milky way photos, in case things like this happen!
Day 2: Ghost Towns & Desert Skies
The next morning, we hit the road early on Highway 20 deep into one of our favorite corners of Oregon — Frenchglen, Oregon. This quiet, remote town with a population of 12 in the high desert is a hidden gem, and we were so excited to share it with Allison and Jeff.
On the way, we made a pit stop in Burns for snacks and a full tank of gas (a must when traveling this far off-grid), then ventured toward the historic Pete French Round Barn. This area is full of quiet charm and rugged beauty, and we spent the afternoon exploring and capturing some relaxed daytime portraits in the wide open prairie. Shortly after, we checked in to our cabin in Frenchglen, snuck a few extra lovey-dovey poses in front of the cabin before it started raining, and packed up a quick dinner before heading out to Alvord Desert!
This was our second shot at the stars, and we were very hopeful, however mother nature threw us yet ANOTHER challenge. We arrived at the desert after nightfall, so we instructed Jeff to just drive on the desert until we didn’t see any lights of tents, campers, or campfires. We parked, got out and looked around, and got right back in the Jeep! For nearly 1.5 hours, the wind howled with gusts up to 30 mph, and thick clouds rolled overhead. We didn’t even get out of the car after this point, the wind was too much. Some of us even fell asleep waiting in the car as the wind pounded the Jeep. It felt like a repeat of the night before for sure.
But then — it happened.
The wind suddenly stopped. Dead calm. And almost instantly, as Steven walked outside to look, the clouds began to part. Like someone flipping a switch, the stars emerged — and the Milky Way poured out across the desert sky in all its glory!
Go time.
Anthony and Steven jumped into action, carefully setting up our gear in the dark, guiding the couple through the poses when ready, and capturing frame after frame of real, in-camera starry night portraits. No composites. No sky replacements. Just patience, planning, and the kind of atmospheric luck that makes you believe the universe is on your side. We absolutely loved listening to Allison and Jeff’s reaction when looking up for the first time at the countless stars and glow of our own milky way galaxy above. This is such a big reason why we do these sessions. Did you know that 98% of the world’s population lives under light polluted skies?!
Day 3: Slow Mornings & Reflections
Needless to say, after that epic and successful night, we slept in well into the next morning. (BIG credit to Jeff for driving all the way back to the cabin after the session!) After a hearty breakfast at the Frenchglen Historic Hotel (HIGHLY recommend by the way) we slowly made our way back to Redmond to catch flights home and say goodbye to Allison and Jeff — tired, dusty, and beyond fulfilled. We made a quick pitstop to Smith Rock State Park though, for a few extra photos and to take a peek at such a beautiful state park! You could absolutely have an entire session alone in that park. Steven will say, though, it was a tough goodbye at the airport. We felt a true connection with Allison and Jeff, friends instantly, and we wished them a happy wedding day later in the year in Oregon! This wrapped up such an incredible time with two incredible humans in an incredible state!
Why We Do This
These Starry Night Sessions aren’t easy. They take planning, flexibility, and a willingness to drive deep into the dark, away from civilization. But they are so worth it.
We don’t just do this for the photos (though the results still blow us away every time). We do this because we believe in protecting these night skies. Every year, more of our natural darkness is lost to light pollution, and fewer people get the chance to stand in awe beneath the stars like this. Plus these sessions are congruent with a bigger connection to our planet and more disconnect from the chaos of modern civilization. A chance to hear silence, embrace darkness, and be at peace!
That’s why we’ve proudly partnered with DarkSky International, helping spread awareness and promote sustainable outdoor lighting. These sessions give us a sense of purpose beyond photography — they’re a way to reconnect people with the cosmos and remind us all of what we stand to lose if we’re not careful. Each Starry Night Session also includes a one-year membership with DarkSky International, so you know you’re helping a great cause while experiencing these amazing travel experiences!
So whether you’re a couple looking for something wildly different, or just someone who loves the stars as much as we do — we invite you to join us. Let’s chase the dark together.
Interested in booking your own Starry Night Session?
Reach out — we’d love to plan your next adventure under the stars.
Oregon DarkSky Photographer: Steven Miller w/ assist Anthony of Steven Miller Photography
Oregon Locations (in order): Crescent Moon Ranch Alpaca Farm | Dee Wright Observatory | Pete French Round Barn | Frenchglen Historic Hotel and Drover’s Inn | Alvord Desert | Smith Rock State Park
Non-Profits You Can Support: DarkSky International | DarkSky Oregon
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon R5 Mark II
- Lenses: Full RF lens set (15mm–200mm)
- Tripod: Manfrotto
- Lighting:
- 2x Godox AD200Pro
- 2x Godox V1CPro
- Modifiers:
- MagMod Grids
- MagMod Color Gels
- MagSphere