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Capture Jaw-Dropping Milky Way Photos With the Gear You Already Own!

No more blurry stars. No more guessing at settings. No more wasted nights.

Even if you've never shot at night. Even with a kit lens.

SIGN UP NOW

Under the Stars: Milky Way Mastery

A Self-Paced Online Course, Taught By Master Photographer and OM SYSTEM Ambassador Matt Suess

 

Wouldn't You Love to Be Able to Take Amazing Night Sky Photographs?

🤯 It's not easy trying to figure this out on your own, is it?

 

Otherwise, I'm guessing you wouldn't be here. 😉

 

I Remember Exactly How You're Feeling Right Now!

 

The frustration. The excitement mixed with confusion. The late nights staring at your LCD screen wondering why your stars are blurry when you SWEAR you focused correctly.

 

I've been there. Actually, I spent years there.

 

I shot my first star trails on slide film back in the 1980s when I was just 12 years old - processing them myself in my own darkroom. I was captivated by the night sky even then, but getting decent images? That was a struggle.

  • I couldn't figure out how to get sharp stars AND a visible landscape
  • My 10-minute exposures would sometimes work, but I never knew why
  • Finding the Milky Way? Forget it - I was just guessing and hoping
  • Star trail direction? Trial and error, over and over

When digital cameras came along in the late '90s, the instant feedback was incredible. But the noise? Absolutely brutal. Early digital sensors made quality night sky photography nearly impossible.

 

As the cameras improved in the 2000s, so did my images. I developed my own techniques for manually focusing on stars and exposing the photo properly. I figured out through exhausting trial and error:

  • How long I could expose before star trails appeared
  • How to calculate correct settings for those long exposures
  • How to reduce noise in post-processing
  • How to balance the stars with the foreground

It took me decades to figure out what I'm going to teach you in weeks!

 

 

 

Here's What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Back Then...

 

🚫 You DON'T need to suffer through years of blurry images and wasted nights like I did.

🚫 You DON'T need the most expensive gear (I started with slide film and a basic tripod, camera, and lens).

🚫 You DON'T need to live somewhere with perfectly dark skies (it does help of course, and often dark areas are closer than you think).

 

What you DO need is someone who's already made all the mistakes to show you the shortcuts.

That's exactly what Under the Stars: Milky Way Mastery does.

 

The Moment Everything Changes

 

I'll never forget the look on my workshop clients' faces during that very first hour of our first night together. That moment when they check their LCD screen and see - some for the very first time - the Milky Way shining back at them.

 

Sharp stars. Rich colors. A landscape perfectly exposed.

 

The pure JOY in that moment? I want that for you.

 

I've taught thousands of photographers how to capture that magic:

  • Complete beginners who'd never shot in manual mode
  • Experienced landscape photographers adding night sky to their skills
  • Advanced shooters refining their techniques

And every single one of them had that same moment: 

 

"Wait... I DID THIS?!"

 

Imagine That Being You!

 

 

Picture this: You're out under a clear night sky. Maybe it's your backyard, maybe it's a quick drive to darker skies.

You set up your tripod. Dial in your settings - confidently, no guessing.

 

You press the shutter.

 

20 seconds later, you look at your screen and there it is: The Milky Way, stretching across your frame. 

 

Stars tack-sharp.

The Milky Way stretching across your frame. 

Colors vibrant. 

Foreground perfectly balanced.

 

You did it!

 

Not after months of frustration. Not after buying thousands of dollars in new gear.

 

After following a proven, step-by-step system that actually works.

This Is Under the Stars: Milky Way Mastery

 

 

An online course designed to fast-track you past all the pain and confusion I suffered for years.

 

What You'll Master:

 

✅ Plan with confidence — Know exactly when and where the Milky Way will appear, work around moon phases, scout locations virtually

✅ Nail your settings — The exact ISO, aperture, and shutter speeds for clean, sharp images (even on older cameras)

✅ Focus perfectly in the dark — Reliable techniques that actually work (the ones I developed over decades)

✅ Balance exposures — Capture both stars AND foreground without guessing

✅ Edit like a pro — Complete Lightroom and Photoshop workflow from RAW to finished masterpiece

✅ Go beyond basics — Star trails, time-lapses, focus stacking, blue hour blends, light painting, star trackers (advanced bonus modules)

 

 

 

Who This Course Is For

 

✅ COMPLETE BEGINNERS who've never shot at night (we start with the fundamentals)

✅ Intermediate photographers ready to add night sky skills to your toolkit

✅ Experienced shooters who want to refine night sky techniques and learn advanced methods

✅ Any camera brand - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, OM SYSTEM / Olympus - any camera platform with M mode and interchangeable lenses

✅ Anyone with a passion for - or a curiosity about - this means you!

 

Here's the truth: With today's camera equipment and software, ANYONE can photograph great night sky images!

.

But - even though anyone can, it still isn't as easy as daytime photography.

 

While the equipment makes it possible, you still need to know:

  • How to get those sharp images
  • Which camera settings to use depending on the lens choice
  • How to reduce noise effectively
  • How to find the Milky Way
  • How to compose the landscape WITH the night sky
  • What white balance to use
  • How to even see your composition before that long exposure starts
  • How to know when, and where, to go to see and photograph the Milky Way
  • And so much more...

That's where I come in.

 

"But I Don't Have Expensive Gear..."

 

Neither did I when I started.

 

Remember: I was shooting star trails on slide film in the 1980s. If I could create images with that equipment, you can DEFINITELY create stunning work with what you own today.

 

Your kit lens? We can work with that.

 

Your 5-year-old camera body? More than enough.

 

Your basic tripod? It's something to start with.

 

The photographers creating jaw-dropping night sky images aren't always the ones with the most expensive gear.

 

They're the ones who understand:

  • Planning and timing
  • Camera settings and focusing
  • Exposure and composition
  • Editing with intention

I'll show you exactly how to maximize what you already own - and when (and if) upgrades actually matter.

 

I'm Ready To Start Creating
Amazing Milky Way Photos!

Why Learn From Me?

I'm Matt Suess, and I've been chasing the night sky for over 40 years.

 

But here's what really matters:

I'm not just another photographer selling a course. I've lived through every era of night sky photography:

  • The 1980s: Shooting star trails on slide film, processing in my own darkroom at age 12
  • The 1990s: Early digital cameras with brutal noise, learning to adapt
  • The 2000s: Developing techniques as sensors improved, figuring out what actually works
  • Today: Teaching thousands of photographers using ANY camera brand to capture the magic

My professional background:

  • 🏆 Award-winning photojournalist (2003 New England Press Photographer of the Year)
  • 📸 OM SYSTEM Ambassador and official Night Sky Expert
  • 🎓 Digital photography pioneer (taught digital to photojournalists in the late '90s)
  • 🌄 Professional workshop leader with sold-out night sky workshops in the Tetons, Norway, and Canada
  • 🎥 Published educator for OM SYSTEM, B&H Photo, Hunts Photo & Video, Skylum, ON1, and more
  • 🏔️ Based in Bozeman, Montana - pristine dark skies, endless shooting opportunities

My teaching philosophy?

I meet you exactly where you are. Whether you're shooting your first night ever or refining advanced techniques, my down-to-earth, encouraging approach makes complex concepts feel achievable.

 

Because they are.

 

I teach photographers using ANY camera brand - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, OM SYSTEM, whatever you own. This isn't about gear. It's about knowledge. 

 

Over the Course of This Program...

 

You'll fast-track your ability to create amazing night sky images - without going through all the pain I suffered for years trying to figure it out on my own.

 

It's incredibly exciting to see the transformation in my students & clients. That very first night they're out shooting - sometimes within just the first hour - when they see the Milky Way appear on their LCD screen for the first time.

 

That moment of pure joy? I want that for you!

 

Not after countless frustrating nights of trial and error.

 

Not after buying gear you don't need.

 

Not after giving up because "it's too hard."

 

Following a proven system that's already worked for thousands of photographers just like you.

The Complete Milky Way Mastery System

 

 

🎓 Here is Your Step-by-Step Roadmap (Core Course)

 

🎓 MODULE 1: WELCOME & GETTING STARTED
Set yourself up for success before you ever head into the field. Understand what's possible, what to expect, and how to get the most from this program.

 

🎓 MODULE 2: ESSENTIAL PREP - BEFORE YOU GO

  • Gear Check - what you actually need (and what you don't)
  • Essential phone apps for planning
  • Your tripod and how you organize your camera bag
  • Safety considerations for night shooting

🎓 MODULE 3: ARRIVE - PLANNING YOUR PERFECT MILKY WAY SHOOT

  • Find locations
  • Work around moon phases for optimal conditions
  • Align the Milky Way core exactly where you want it
  • Scout locations virtually before you arrive
  • Learn about the Milky Way Season and how your view of it changes throughout the season
  • Timing, weather, and seasonal considerations

🎓 MODULE 4: COMPOSE - HOW TO TELL YOUR STORY

  • Transform ordinary star shots into compelling images
  • Focus perfectly in pitch darkness - the techniques I developed over decades - plus exclusive OM SYSTEM content using Starry Sky AF
  • Balance foreground elements with the night sky
  • Use different focal lengths effectively

🎓 MODULE 5: EXPOSE - CAMERA SETTINGS THAT WORK EVERY TIME

  • The exact ISO, aperture, and shutter speeds for clean, sharp, single-exposure Milky Way images
  • Managing noise at high ISOs (even on older cameras)
  • White balance for natural night sky colors

🎓 MODULE 6: Develop - POST-PROCESSING THAT BRINGS IT ALL TOGETHER

  • Complete Lightroom workflow start to finish
  • Photoshop techniques for further enhancement
  • Noise reduction that actually works
  • Color balancing for natural, believable skies
  • Finishing touches that make images pop without looking over-processed
  • Common editing mistakes and how to avoid them

Each module includes:

  • Short, focused video lessons (easy to digest at your own pace)
  • Real-world examples and demonstrations
  • The exact tips and tricks I use to achieve my shots

 

 

 

Why Not Just Watch YouTube Videos?

 

I get it. There's tons of free content out there.

 

But here's the problem:

❌ Scattered, incomplete information across hundreds of videos
❌ Contradictory advice from different creators
❌ No personalized feedback on YOUR images
❌ No community support when you're stuck at 1am wondering why your focus is off
❌ Trial and error wastes dozens of nights (and your enthusiasm)

 

I spent YEARS figuring this out through painful trial and error. Early digital cameras with brutal noise. Guessing at settings. Wasting clear nights because I didn't know what I was doing.

 

You don't have to repeat my mistakes.

 

With Under the Stars, You Get:

✅ A proven, step-by-step system in the right order
✅ Consistent teaching from one experienced instructor (me - 40+ years of night sky photography)
✅ Optional live coaching on YOUR work (Adventurer & Trailblazer tiers)
✅ A supportive community of photographers learning alongside you (Adventurer & Trailblazer tiers)
✅ Results in weeks, not years (All tiers)

 

Plus: Lifetime access means you can refresh your skills before every Milky Way season, year after year after year.

 

What About Expensive In-Person Workshops?

 

I teach in-person Milky Way workshops in the Tetons, Badlands, Arches, Canada, Norway, and elsewhere. They usually sell out. My clients love them.

 

But here's the reality:

 

Traditional in-person workshops cost:

  • Travel to remote locations: $500-$3,500 (airfare and other transportation)
  • Hotel + meals: $500-$2,000
  • Workshop fee: $2,400-$5,500+
  • Total: $3,400-$11,000+

And yes, they're amazing experiences!! The camaraderie. Shooting together under millions of stars. Telling stories during long exposures. Counting shooting stars together.

 

But photo workshops are not for everyone, and this is where this program comes in.

 

Under the Stars Gives You:

✅ Learn from home - No travel costs, shoot in your own area
✅ Learn when skies are clear - Not stuck on a cloudy workshop weekend
✅ Lifetime access - Refresh your skills every season
✅ Ongoing support - Optional monthly coaching calls + active community
✅ Better value — $197-$497 vs $3,400-$11,000+
✅ Rewatch anytime — Weekend workshops are gone in a flash; this course is yours to watch anytime

 

Save the bucket-list workshop trips for when you've mastered the techniques (taught here in this program) - so you can spend your time creating incredible images, not fumbling with settings in the dark.

 

 

  📊 ENROLL HERE!!

 

 

Kindly Note:
Like many small businesses we have had to start adding a 3.5% surcharge to credit card payments. The total amounts in the shopping cart have the 3.5% surcharge added.

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Questions About this Online Course?

Simply fill out the form below. Be sure to let me know which workshop or online course you are asking about!

Thanks for contacting us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

60-Day "Create or Refund" Guarantee

I'm so confident this course will transform your night sky photography that I'm offering this guarantee:

 

✅ Go through 3 modules in particular: modules 3, 4 & 5.
✅ Shoot on 3 clear nights using what you learn.
✅ Follow the process.

 

If you don't capture a Milky Way image you're proud of within 60 days, show me your work and I'll refund you in full.

 

All I ask is that you do the work. I can't help you if you don't go out and shoot.

 

But if you show up, follow the system, and apply what you learn? You WILL get results.

That's my promise to you.

 

Weather exception: If you don't get 3 clear nights within 60 days, your guarantee automatically extends through September 2026. Just email me.

 

P.S. - In 15+ years of teaching night sky photography, I've never had a student or client who followed my system and didn't get results. If you show up and do the work, you'll capture stunning images. 

 

I guarantee it.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

❓Do I need an OM SYSTEM camera?

Not at all! I teach photographers using ANY camera brand - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Pentax, and more. A few bonus lessons showcase OM SYSTEM-specific features (Starry Sky AF, Live Comp), but the core curriculum works universally. I developed these techniques across multiple camera brands over 40 years.

 

❓What camera do I need?

Any DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode and an ISO range up to 6400. Even older entry-level cameras work great. Remember: I started with slide film in the 1980s. Today's entry-level digital cameras are light-years ahead of what I had.

 

❓What lens do I need?

Your 18-55mm kit lens will work! On full-frame, anything up to 35mm works well. Wider is better, but absolutely not required. And of course, lenses faster than f2.8 would be ideal, but f4 lenses can take photos of the Milky Way (with just some extra noise to deal with).

 

❓What other gear do I need?

A stable tripod (doesn't need to be expensive - I started with a basic one). A headlamp with red light mode is helpful. Everything else is optional and covered in the course.

 

❓I've never shot in manual mode or RAW before. Is this too advanced?

Perfect! That's exactly where I want you to start. We begin from the foundations. Module 5 covers manual mode essentials, and the entire editing workflow assumes you're starting from scratch with RAW files. I've taught complete beginners who'd never left auto mode - they were capturing stunning Milky Way images within weeks.

 

❓I live near a city with light pollution. Will this still work?

Yes! I teach you how to find darker areas within driving distance (sometimes 30-60 minutes away) and how to work with moderate light pollution. You don't need pitch-black skies for decent results, though darker is better when possible. I'll show you the tools to find your nearest dark sky locations. And Star Trail photos in particular can be great for city locations that are too bright for the Milky Way.

 

❓Where can I be located geographically?

Almost anywhere in the world. If you're north of 65° latitude (northern Alaska, northern Scandinavia), you won't be able to see the Milky Way core at night during summer. But you can still photograph it at other times or travel south. Most of North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America have excellent Milky Way visibility during the season. My program is based on where I live - in North America, but you can easily translate the info to anywhere in the world.

 

❓What software do I need?

Adobe Lightroom (or Camera Raw, which is the same interface) and Photoshop. Monthly cost: ~$10-20 depending on plan. Free trials are available from Adobe. I also talk about DxO PureRAW and the Nik Collection.

 

❓Can I download the videos?

Videos stream through your secure course portal. This ensures you always have the most updated version and any improvements I make. Internet connection required, but you can watch on any device.

 

❓I took an in-person workshop with you. Is this course different?

Yes! While we cover similar foundational content, the online course includes lifetime access (vs. a weekend workshop), optional monthly coaching throughout the entire season, advanced bonus modules, and the ability to revisit concepts as many times as you need. Many of my workshop students also take the course for the ongoing support and advanced content.

 

❓What makes your teaching different?

I've been where you are. I struggled for years with blurry stars, incorrect exposures, and wasted nights. I'm not someone who "always just got it" - I earned this knowledge through decades of trial and error. My teaching style is encouraging, down-to-earth, and practical. No confusing jargon. No making you feel stupid for asking questions. Just real guidance from someone who genuinely wants you to succeed.

 

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I'd Love to Have You Join Us

 

My night sky workshops are some of my favorite experiences - and my clients say the same thing.

There's something magical about being together under millions of stars. The slower pace. The quiet. The storytelling during long exposures. Counting shooting stars together. The joy on someone's face when they capture their first sharp Milky Way image.

 

Under the Stars: Milky Way Mastery brings that same magic to you - wherever you are.

You'll learn the exact same techniques I teach in my $2,500+ workshops.

You'll join a community of passionate photographers supporting each other.

You'll have me guiding you through monthly coaching calls.

 

And you'll walk away with:

  • Amazing photographs you're proud to share
  • All the knowledge to capture these shots on your own, anytime
  • Memories of that first moment when you see YOUR Milky Way image and think "I did this!"
  • A group of fellow photographers who become friends

The night sky is waiting.

Every clear night is an opportunity to capture something extraordinary. Something most people never see. Something that reminds us how vast the universe is — and how creative we can be.

 

Will you be ready when the stars come out?

Choose Your Path Under the Stars

 

 

 

Still Have Questions?

 

I'm here to help. Seriously.

 

If you have any questions about the course, which tier is right for you, or anything else - just reach out.

 

I personally read and respond to every message. I'd love to hear from you.

 

 

About Matt Suess

 

I'm a fine art photographer specializing in landscape, nature, wildlife, and night sky photography - based in Bozeman, Montana.

My journey started young: At 12 years old, I was shooting star trails on slide film and processing them in my own darkroom. That early fascination with the night sky launched what became a 40+ year obsession.

My professional career began in 1990 as a photojournalist in New England. For 17 years, I documented life through my lens - winning awards including the 2003 New England Press Photographer of the Year. I was a digital photography pioneer in the late '90s, helping bring digital cameras to newspapers and teaching other photojournalists the new technology.

In 2006, I left it all behind and moved West to pursue fine art photography full-time. Now I photograph landscapes, wildlife, and especially the night sky across Montana, the Tetons, and beyond.

As an official OM SYSTEM Ambassador and Night Sky Expert, I've taught thousands of photographers through:

  • Sold-out in-person workshops in the Tetons, Norway, and Canada
  • Online courses and webinars
  • Presentations for OM SYSTEM, B&H Photo, Hunts Photo & Video, Skylum, ON1, and more

But here's what I'm most proud of:

The emails I get from students & clients who capture their first stunning Milky Way image. The photos they share in our community. The joy in their messages when they realize "I can actually do this - and did!"

 

That's why I teach.

Not just to show you camera settings and editing techniques (though we'll cover all that).

But to help you experience that moment of pure magic when you look at your LCD screen and see the Milky Way shining back at you - captured by YOUR hands, with YOUR camera, through YOUR creative vision.

 

I'd be honored to guide you on this journey.

Come join us Under the Stars.

 

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Matt Suess

Fine Art Photographer and OM SYSTEM, NiSi, Fotopro, Ororo Wear Ambassador

Photography has always been a huge part of my life starting at the age of 12 when I had my own black & white chemical darkroom. That early interest launched a full-time professional photography career that began in 1990 and continues today.

For the first 17 years of my career I was a photojournalist based in New England. I am a digital photography pioneer and began teaching digital photography to photojournalists in the late 90’s, helping bring digital cameras to two different newspapers. I was awarded the 2003 New England Press Associations Photographer of the Year award for my work at the Cape Cod Times. During my time as a photojournalist, I also photographed weddings & portraits, as well as corporate & commercial assignments.

In 2006 I decided to leave all of that behind and move West, where I am now a fine art landscape, nature, wildlife, travel, and Milky Way photographer, educator, and publisher. I also accept select luxury resort & architectural photography assignments.

I teach numerous field & classroom workshops throughout the year as well as online courses and I provide occasional free online webinars. You may have already seen my videos/webinars for OM SYSTEM / Olympus, Hunts Photo & Video, B&H Photo, Skylum and ON1. My passion for sharing and teaching what I have learned during my long career is evident in my down-to-earth and encouraging approach with my clients.

I am honored to be sponsored by Olympus / OM SYSTEM as an OM SYSTEM Ambassador but I teach photography to anyone using any camera brand.

I live in Bozeman, Montana with my blue heeler cattle dog. You can find me online on Instagram and YouTube at @mattsuessphoto
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Poster

Watch the PetaPixel Documentary:
Off the Beaten Path with Photographer Matt Suess

Join OM SYSTEM Ambassador Matt Suess as he embarks on a photography journey to Stanley, Idaho to capture the incredible Sawtooth Mountains. While getting off the beaten path in one of the most photogenic locations in the United States, Suess describes how he uses the powerful features of his OM-5 camera to capture Idaho's incredible sunrises, sunsets, and nightscapes.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Harley M.
"I think the way you handled the workshop was as near perfect as any student could ask for."
2019 Fall Grand Teton Photo Workshop Client
Winnie A.
"I really cannot wait for this... figuring out how to make this particular trip happen has been on my mind since I first decided I wanted to get into landscape photography. And I know after working with you this year, I will truly be ready for it!"
2022 Photo Mentorship Client & 2023 Lofoten Aurora Workshop Client

Jill E.

"You have the utmost patience and instead of just telling me to do something, or how to do something, you helped me to think about solutions. Many instructors/leaders have an ego and those individuals are difficult to learn from. You don't. You are a top-notch instructor."
2019 Spring Grand Teton Photo Workshop Client

"Matt is the best instructor I've had for any creative activity, but especially photography. He is patient in explaining things, and really helps you focus on the areas that YOU want to develop rather than focusing on what he thinks you need improvement on.

He also is the only instructor I've had in creative endeavors that is so supportive of you owning your unique style - I've always been one to do things my way, and most instructors struggle with students who don't "do as you're told," but Matt teaches to help you learn rather than trying to get you to do things his way.

Matt also is great about making sure that each person gets heard and gets time for their questions to be answered, which requires facilitation of the discussions in such a way that people aren't talked over but also that people don't feel like they are being shut down...this is not an easy thing to do. Plus, he has a great sense of humor, which is always appreciated!

The Milky Way Workshop felt more about learning some techniques, setting up the shot, then waiting to see if it worked. This was more thinking on your feet and instantly applying things and adjusting (which was likely part of my challenge...my brain wasn't ready).

I would recommend both trips, and have so loved showing people the magic that was captured both times. And it's fun to be able to brag about the great teacher we had each time."

Emily L.

2018 June Tetons Milky Way and 2019 Spring Grand Teton Photo Workshop Client