From clicks to constellations: Southern Utah photographer launches family-owned remote observatory

ST. GEORGE — From capturing moments to capturing stars, this photographer shifted his focus from the lens to the heavens by launching a family-run telescope observatory business.

Astrophotography by Craig Stocks is pictured | Photo courtesy of Craig Stocks, St. George News

“I have been mostly showing astrophotography as I’ve tried to normalize the idea that an astrophoto can also be appreciated as a fine art photo — just like a mountain or a tree or a flower,” Craig Stocks said.

Stocks is a fine art photographer who loves capturing breathtaking landscapes and the enchanting secrets of the night sky. His shots have graced local galleries and earned him multiple NASA “Picture of the Day” honors.

Stocks’s love for photography ignited in high school, where he began capturing moments as part of the yearbook staff. This passion quickly evolved when he joined a work-study program in 1970, splitting his days between classes in the morning and working as a photographer for a local weekly newspaper in the afternoons. What started as an easy way to earn cash became a captivating pursuit as he discovered the art and intrigue of photography.

After high school, he headed to college in Pekin, Illinois, where he kicked off his career at the Pekin Daily Times. Over the next five years, he not only polished his photography skills but also met the love of his life, who would eventually become his wife.

Photography by Craig Stocks features a night scene at Cathedral Gorge in Panaca, Nevada, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Craig Stocks, St. George News

He switched positions to work in a portrait studio, but the sparkle started to fade after a few years. When his wife graduated from nursing school, Stocks decided it was the ideal moment to hit the books and get a “real” education. He snagged a degree in mechanical engineering and had a 30-year career in the field before retiring in 2008. That’s when Stocks dove back into his true passion — photography. He then swapped portraits and weddings for the world of fine art photography.

After being introduced to ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, an organization on the hunt for local artist photos, he began shooting photos for the “Playing Peoria” blog, which showcased over 90 artists and entertainers from the Peoria, Illinois, area.

“Every day you go into work in the morning and have no idea what you’re going to be doing,” he said. “That was the best part of the job.”

With family already in Southern Utah, he and his wife decided it was the perfect place to retire. Soon after, the rest of their family, including kids and grandkids, followed suit in the family’s “great migration.”

When the family came together, they decided to launch a business venture. After chatting with a fellow astronomy club member who was looking into starting a remote observatory in California, Stocks was inspired by the idea. With his 15 years of astrophotography experience, his passion for Dark Sky Parties and a telescope collection of his own, the faily plunged into research, soaking up every detail about commercial remote observatories.

What is a commercial remote observatory? 

The Milky Way is pictured over Utah Desert Remote Observatories north of Enterprise, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Craig Stocks, St. George News

“People will send you their telescope, or they come to install it themselves,” Stocks said. “We provide power, internet and on-site service and support. We manage the observatory and make sure all the systems are working correctly and they control the telescope over the internet.”

After searching for the perfect spot with dark skies, on-site utilities and high-speed internet, the family launched Utah Desert Remote Observatories north of Enterprise in 2022. Stocks’s wife handles the bookkeeping, while their daughter and son-in-law live on-site as the full-time caretakers. Their other son pitches in on weekends, and when big projects or construction roll around, the grandsons swoop in to lend a hand.

Stocks said most people use telescopes for capturing stunning astrophotography. The range of telescopes varies from pretty straightforward to elaborate, with some so large that a crane is required to get them into position.

As the new venture took off, Stocks transitioned from showcasing his photography at local galleries like Arrowhead Gallery to focusing fully on the observatory, where his time is now consumed by the stars.

The two buildings housing the telescopes are designed to open fully to the sky. One building measures 25×40 feet and the other 25×60. The larger facility features two roofs that open to reveal the night sky, accommodating about 40 telescopes in total. The first building is at full capacity, while the second has room for about half of its capacity.

“It’s grown way faster than we anticipated,” he said. “We finished the first building in November 2021, had our first telescope and customer in 2022 and just three months later, we realized we needed to build a second one.”

Photography by Craig Stocks features Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Craig Stocks, St. George News

Stocks has three of his own telescopes at the observatory, available for hourly rentals. This means people from around the world can book time with one of his telescopes to observe specific celestial targets. One scope is also available to rent by the month. 

Although there are a few similar facilities scattered across the U.S. — mainly in New Mexico — and some in Chile, Australia and Spain, Stocks said he isn’t aware of any other commercial remote observatories in Utah.

Utah Desert Remote Observatories offers a masterclass on astrophotography post-processing, featuring evening outings for capturing Milky Way shots. The 2024 Southwest Utah Premium Astrophotography Masterclass will take place at the end of September and is limited to a maximum of 10 people.

For more information on Craig Stocks Arts, visit his website. Visit the Utah Desert Remote Observatories website for details on astro imaging and other astronomy education. Watch live streams from the observatory’s telescopes on YouTube and follow them on Facebook for additional content.

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