The Trip of a Lifetime & You’re Invited!

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The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is one of the largest gatherings of Hot Air Balloons in the world, and we are excited to announce a photo excursion to the event this year! According to the official Balloon Fiesta website, in 1972, a small gathering of 13 balloons had a mini-fiesta in Albuquerque at a mall parking lot and since then has held an event every year during the first week of October. Currently the event has grown to an average of 600 balloons and over 1,000 pilots in attendance each year!  Even in 1972 there were approximately 10,000 guests and has now grown to hundreds of thousands watching not only from the 350 acre Fiesta site, but outlying areas as well as TVs across the globe! This is considered one of “the most photographed events in the world”.

So why go with us? Camaraderie is one reason. Just like our PhotoExpo and PhotoCon events, getting together with like-minded people with similar passions creates a fun and effective learning environment. We will travel together from NW Arkansas to New Mexico for a 3 day, 4 night trip with professional photo guidance.  With the combination of attending the Balloon Festival along with some side-photo-adventures, this amazingly visual event is a photographers dream.

Trip Highlights Include:

First class motor coach travel to New Mexico, allowing for easy access, pickup and drop off, without the worries of traffic and parking throughout the trip. Plus there will be plenty of time to brush up on settings and “talk shop” on the ride.

• Four night stay in the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque  October 6th – 10th

•VIP access to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival including:

◦pre-dawn balloon launches and evening glow events

◦special food and drink tent

◦private seating and tent

◦access to the International Balloon museum

•Professional photography instruction and guidance with multiple instructors, plus a special guest speaker!

•Sunset shoot traveling up the Sandia Peak Tramway (the longest U.S. aerial tram) roughly 11,000 square miles of stunning New Mexico country side.

•Explore the historic city of Santa Fe along the Turquoise Trail with opportunities for viewing historic architecture, browsing the fares of local artisans, and delicious dining opportunities.

•A Southwestern cuisine “farewell” dinner hosted by Sony.

•Photo sharing event and contest with numerous prizes and awards.

Cost for the trip with a shared room is $1,299 and with a private room is $1,699. Tax and fees included.

As a special added bonus, Sony Artisan, Patrick Murphy-Racey will be joining us to provide a wealth of photo wisdom gathered over his 25 plus years as a professional photographer!

ALL skill levels of photographers with an interest in learning new skills or refining their old ones are welcome on this trip.

Join us on this “bucket list”- world class event! Click here to purchase tickets.

Questions? Contact Alex Kent, at ballonfiesta@bedfords.com