Nelson Ghost Town
Limited to 10 participants.
18 Hours of Location Access
9 Hours of Learning
2 Workshop Hosts
All Skill Levels Welcome
$1595 per person (Reserve today with a $250 deposit.)
Add Goffs on April 4 for $300.
A Night Photography Adventure
April 1, 2 and 3, 2026
Optional Bonus Night : Goffs, CA April 4
Nelson Ghost Town - What Is This Place?
Gas pumps, rusting cars, rickety buildings, soda machines, creepy dolls, a crashed plane, and even a phone booth—Nelson Ghost Town is a bizarre, ever-growing collection of relics and oddities, just 43 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Once called El Dorado by the Spaniards for its rich gold deposits, the area became one of Nevada’s biggest mining booms. The mines remain, but the gold that’s left isn’t worth digging out.
Today, Nelson is part tourist stop, part movie set, and part desert museum—thanks to the owner’s “hoarding tendencies,” new curiosities are always being added to the property.
Daytime visitors are welcome, but try sneaking in after dark and you’ll be chased off faster than a flash flood. As one sign warns: “You Better Not Be Here After Dark.” Unless, of course, you have permission.
That’s where our three-night workshop comes in. With exclusive access to both sides of this remote dead-end road near the Colorado River, you’ll photograph moonlit ruins and forgotten treasures, using light painting to bring them to life. Spacious, surreal, and unforgettable—this is a night photography experience like no other.
Special Guest
I am thrilled to welcome this workshop’s special guest and personal friend, Mr. Ken Lee.
Ken is an accomplished light painter and author who has been featured in National Geographic among others. Much of his work is instantly recognizable thanks to his unique style. Ken is also known for his incredible star trail compositions that incorporate cars, busses, buildings and landscapes from Joshua Tree to the Trona Pinnacles and beyond under moonlight and starlight.
What We'll Be Covering
- Low ISO long exposure technique.
- Star trails
- Using the moon as an ambient light source.
- Recording movement of light and light painting.
- Focusing in the dark.
- Composing for abandonment.
-Post processing.
Travel / Logistics / Other Considerations
Travel, including airfare, rental car, and lodging, is the responsibility of each attendee. The nearest airport is McCarran (Las Vegas), and our presentations will take place in Boulder City. A host hotel will be available at a discounted group rate. If you prefer, there are plenty of other hotels nearby.
Our shoot location is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel, mostly along the highway—an easy route you’ll memorize after your first trip.
Meals are on your own. While Boulder City offers several restaurant options, there’s nothing near the workshop site, so plan to bring food and drinks with you. Keep in mind, the desert air is very dry—water is essential, even at night.
On site, you’ll have access to a working bathroom, and in most areas you should be able to get a cell signal.
About 90 minutes south of Nelson lies the little Route 66 town of Goffs, a micro-community cared for by some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.
For photographers drawn to the echoes of the past, Goffs is a treasure. You’ll find the locally famous Mojave Road Bus, vintage railroad signals and signs, a replica train station, and even a caboose converted into living space. Add in old mining equipment, windmills, gas pumps, weathered cars, and the distant rumble of freight trains—and you’ve got a full night of atmospheric shooting. Look closely and you may even spot a quirky collection of gnomes and frogs tucked away on the property.
Like Nelson, this is an enclosed, private site—a safe, welcoming space where we have full permission to photograph everything. Better yet, you can stay overnight in one of the on-site trailers. Imagine finishing your shoot, walking a few steps to your trailer, and calling it a night. If you prefer a hotel, Needles is the closest town, about 30 minutes away.
Our visit includes a BBQ hangout followed by a curfew-free night of photography—shoot as late as you like. The add-on price for this experience is $300 per person, which covers access, dinner, and overnight lodging in a camper trailer.
Bonus Night - Goffs, CA
Hi, I'm Tim and I'll be the workshop host! You can learn more about me in my bio
My commitment to you is to offer a fun and educational experience in a positive atmosphere. As my friends hear me say, I don't shoot for NASA and that's my way of reminding you that night photography is art and appreciating these moments under the night sky is why we do this. If you're new to night photography, I hope you get the same feeling of wonder I experienced (and still do) when I attended my first few workshops. And if you've been doing this for a while, I hope meeting new people and seeing these locations continue to energize and push forward your creativity.
Physical and Health Requirements
Participants should be in good physical health. An avoidable disruption to the group due to known health limitations or over-stating capabilities can spoil the experience for everyone, not just you. When registering for this workshop, you are certifying the following:
You can carry your camera gear throughout the field shoot without assistance.
You are not taking medications that are known to cause dizziness or compromise balance as a potential side effect.
At least six months have passed since having surgeries that impact mobility including but not limited to knee, shoulder or back correction.
Have not fallen at another group event due to medical or balance issues within the last 12 months.
If it was apparent that you had a mobility or health challenge at a previous event that put you at risk of fall or injury , we may ask for clearance from a health professional prior to approving enrollment.
Register
To book your ticket, please click the button below. A $250 deposit will reserve your space and with the balance due by January 1, 2026.) You'll have the opportunity to add Goffs at the time of registration.