Welcome 2026 Speaker Jess Santos
We are delighted to announce that Jess Santos will be presenting at the Nightscaper Photo Conference!
Landscape and Astrophotographer
OneLoveArt.co | FB | IG | X
Jess Santos is a wanderer at heart, constantly on a road trip to anywhere. She spends most of the year teaching and adventuring in the Wild West chasing the vibrant colors of desert landscapes and the distant glow of the Milky Way.
Although she calls Arizona home, she is always excited to explore and photograph new and different ecosystems, and she is especially fascinated with life in extreme environments.
Jess’ Presentations
© Jess Santos
Sketch, Study, Shoot: A New Approach to Nightscapes
Have you ever headed out to shoot and felt like something’s missing even when the scene is stunning? That “something” is often intention.
In this talk, Jess Santos will explore how the real magic in nightscape photography begins long before you press the shutter. From concept development and location research to sketching, mood boards and studying light, Jess will share how preparation can elevate your images from pretty to powerful. Drawing inspiration from painters such as Monet and photographers such as Ansel Adams, she’ll look at how artists across many mediums use study and planning to create meaningful work.
You’ll walk away with practical tools to help you craft images that connect, communicate and resonate, because when you know what you’re looking for, it’s so much easier to find it. Whether you’re a planner or an in the moment shooter, there’s something here to help you slow down and shoot with purpose.
Seeing Like an Artist: Applying Art & Design Principles to Night Photography
What if you could approach your night photography the way a painter approaches a blank canvas? In this talk, Jess Santos will explore how classic principles of art and design—such as balance, contrast, movement and emphasis—can transform the way you compose your night images.
Whether you’re shooting the Milky Way over desert dunes or light painting among canyon walls, these time-tested ideas can help you make more intentional, compelling photographs. Jess will break down each principle with real-world examples and show you how to use them in the field and in your edits.
This isn’t about strict rules, but rather about seeing creatively, using the visual language artists have relied on for centuries. If you’ve ever felt like your night shots were missing something, this talk might just be the spark of inspiration you’ve been looking for.
How do you stay involved?
If you haven’t yet, register for the Nightscaper Conference today!
Please share the 2026 Nighscaper Conference with your friends, other astro-landscape photographers and those who want to jump-start their skills. We also encourage you to share it with folks who are just getting into the craft.
follow our Instagram and Facebook accounts to stay up to date on all news and happenings
join our Facebook group to share your night photos and to chat all things night photography