Why I Created a Milky Way Retreat Just for Women
Why I Created Nocturna and Why It’s Special
Nocturna didn’t start as a business idea.
It started as a feeling I couldn’t shake.
Over the years, I’ve attended, taught at, and observed many Milky Way photography workshops. From a technical standpoint, a lot of them are solid. But many of them feel rushed. You’re moving from location to location, chasing conditions, trying to get the shot, and packing up before you’ve really had time to settle in.
At some point, I realized something.
This isn’t how I want to experience the night sky.
I wanted a Milky Way photography workshop that felt slower, more intentional, and centered on the experience itself. Something I would actually want to attend as a woman and as a photographer.
That’s where Nocturna began.
Why I Created a Women-Only Milky Way Photography Workshop
Night photography can be a vulnerable experience.
You’re out late, often in remote locations, working in the dark. You’re experimenting, asking questions, making mistakes, and learning in real time. For many women, traditional workshops don’t always feel like the most comfortable environment to do that.
Not because anyone is doing anything wrong.
But because group dynamics matter. Feeling safe matters. Who you’re surrounded by matters.
I wanted to create a Milky Way photography workshop for women where those concerns disappear. A space where women can relax, ask questions freely, support each other, and enjoy the process without pressure or intimidation.
When that pressure is removed, something really special happens.
Women are collaborative, experimental, and quick learners. And they genuinely enjoy being out under the stars together.
More Than a Milky Way Photography Workshop
Nocturna is not about checking locations off a list.
It’s about shared experience.
Yes, we photograph the Milky Way under some of the darkest skies in the country. Yes, there is hands-on instruction during the night and editing guidance during the day. But Nocturna was never meant to be just another photography workshop.
Once you arrive, everything is taken care of. Lodging. Meals. Instruction. The logistics that normally pull your attention away are already handled, so you can be fully present.
At night, we move slowly. There’s time to dial in settings, experiment with compositions, help each other, and wait for the Milky Way to rise. There’s no rush to pack up and race to the next location.
During the day, we rest, edit, talk through questions, and enjoy being in this part of the desert without feeling pulled in a dozen directions.
We also spend time exploring the area together with relaxed day excursions to places like Lake Powell and Capitol Reef. These aren’t guided tours. They’re shared experiences that give us time to connect, talk, and enjoy the landscape before heading back out under the stars.
Those moments matter just as much as the photography.
Why the Experience Matters as Much as the Photos
The Milky Way has been here for millions of years. It’s not going anywhere.
There’s no reason to rush through it.
By slowing down, keeping the group intentionally small, and spending multiple nights in the same landscape, Nocturna creates space for deeper learning and real connection. That’s something many Milky Way photography workshops don’t prioritize.
Women don’t just leave Nocturna with photos.
They leave with confidence. With new friendships. With memories tied to the night sky that feel personal and meaningful.
That has always been the goal.
Why You Should Consider This Milky Way Photography Retreat
If you’ve ever wanted to photograph the Milky Way but felt overwhelmed by large groups, fast-paced schedules, or pressure to perform, Nocturna was created for you.
If you’re looking for a Milky Way photography workshop for women that values connection, shared experience, and learning in a supportive environment, you’ll feel at home here.
And if you want an all-inclusive retreat that’s designed with care from start to finish, where the experience matters just as much as the images, this is exactly why I created Nocturna.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about slowing down and experiencing the night the way it was meant to be experienced.
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About Carly Stocks & Dark Sky Utah
Carly Stocks is an award-winning photographer who is passionate about teaching others how to capture the Milky Way. Carly spent seven years teaching high school physics and now brings her expertise to her courses and content. She’s spent years photographing the Milky Way and honing her skills. From presenting at the NightScaper Conference, being published in USA Today, and winning international photography competitions, she’s learned what works. Carly has developed workflows and techniques that remove the guesswork, so you can easily capture night sky images you’re proud of.
