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 an immersive Star Stories lecture that connects celestial science with ancient sky lore, followed by a hands-on astrophotography workshop.

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

  • 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.

  • 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 (hotel guests)
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 S’mores Social by the Bygone Fire Pit (everyone is welcome)

Sunday (for hotel guests)

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

  • 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.

  • Absolutely!

  • 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.