Astrophotography Workshop
&
Star Stories Lecture
Saturday August 16th
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Join us for a magical night under the stars in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Set against the wide-open skies above The Bygone Hotel,
this special evening will feature a hands-on astrophotography workshop followed by an immersive Star Stories lecture that connects celestial science with ancient sky lore.
Details
$20 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted rate for WIFT-Austin Members, Students, and Hill Country Night Sky Group members
All proceeds support the Environmental Arts Alliance, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting natural beauty through the arts.
💫 Staying overnight?
Guests are welcome to attend the event without lodging, but we encourage you to book a stay and enjoy The Bygone’s full range of amenities —
including:
Pool
Sauna
Cold Plunge
Mixology Class
Free Breakfast
Meet the Hosts
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Elizabeth Anne Buckley
Emmy, Peabody and Gracie award-winning producer and writer Elizabeth (Betty) Buckley is a native Texan with over 25 years of experience in film, television, new media and animation.
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Ryan Sultemeier
Astrophotographer | Filmmaker | Camera Dept. | Producer for @thestarsatnightmovie
Production Company: @atomized_media
Your Itinerary
Saturday
3:00–4:00 PM – Check-in & welcome drinks
6:00 PM – Mixology Class (free for guests, put on by the Hotel)
7:15 PM – Star Stories Lecture led by Betty Buckley
8:30 PM – Astrophotography Workshop on the Skydeck led by Ryan Sultemeier
10:30 PM - Smore’s Social by the Bygone Fire Pit
Sunday
7:30 AM – Optional Morning Hike or Swim
8:00 AM-10 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – Optional Cold Plunge + Sauna Rotation or Lounge by the pool
12PM - Check out
Space is limited. Reserve your spot under the stars.
FAQs
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Whether you're a night-sky newbie or a seasoned stargazer, this event is designed to spark wonder and deepen your connection to the cosmos.
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Absolutely!
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Beginner-Friendly Options:
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
(Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, etc.)Wide-Angle Lens
(Ideal: 14mm–35mm, f/2.8 or faster)Tripod
(A stable one — essential for long exposures!)Remote Shutter or Intervalometer
(Optional, but helps reduce camera shake)
🔭 Advanced Options (Optional):
Star Tracker (like Sky-Watcher or iOptron)
For long exposures without star trails.Telescope with Camera Mount
Astro-Modified Cameras
📱 No Camera? No Problem!
Modern smartphones (iPhone 14+, Google Pixel, etc.) can still capture impressive sky shots with Night Mode + a tripod.
We'll have a few loaner tripods and gear examples on-site for hands-on learning.
getting here
We’re located 45 minutes from Austin, TX. We offer a free shuttle service from the Austin airport to our hotel. We’re also 30 minutes from San Antonio. Guests are welcome to drive or fly in. We offer parking on-site.