Rand Larson

GoFundMe: Stretch Goal! In the past I would fly my drone on the playa for one of two reasons: to capture footage for the temple artist, or to be self indulgent while playing with my toy. If someone else benefited from my footage, it was always by accident. This year was different. Every time I flew, it was for a specific assignment. I flew in service of an artist, volunteers or the invisible operations people at Burning Man. I was still being self-indulgent in the sense that I was having a blast with my toy. But it was self-indulgence for a purpose. I understand why folks in recovery speak of “recovery thru service”. My experience was totally different in every way possible. So much better. More fulfilling. I can honestly say: Best. Burn. Ever. And yet, it almost didn’t happen. My drone became unstable the first day on playa. Like a rabid dog, it was unpredictable and wanted to bite. I could not afford a replacement, but I could not afford to not have a drone. The kind folks at American Express were happy to loan me the $4500 for the new drone. They like me. Now they want their money back. Paying for this new drone is my GoFundMe stretch goal. So many people helped me purchase other equipment to document Temple of the Moon. Thank you! I seek more help with this critical piece of equipment. Yes, it feels like a toy to this man-child, but it’s a toy that provides a critical service. And I get to use it! Anything will help. Sending one dollar is like a pat on the back. It tells me that you benefited from my drone footage. That awareness keeps my inner pilot light going.

It’s time to document the 2026 Temple at Burning Man: Temple of the Moon. For the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of documenting the creation of one of the most meaningful art installations in the world: The Temple at Burning Man. I live with the crew on the playa for over four weeks as we construct this massive, ephemeral space — a place for remembrance, healing, hope, and transformation. As volunteers build the Temple, I capture the heart and humanity behind it through photography, video, and drone footage. It’s my way of giving something back — a gift to the community, and to all the volunteers who pour their energy into this space. This is more than just a creative project — it’s my calling. After 40 years as a professional photographer, this work pushes me to my limits, both artistically and personally. I do it with love and I do it for free, because I believe in its value. But every year, it gets harder to sustain financially. New this year is an art project related to my media project (Capturing the Heart of The Temple). I'll share details when it's ready, but it's quite exciting. The name is Moon Base Niblet, named after my good friend Niblet (Chase) who suggested this idea. I'm quite excited! Why I Need Your Help This project is entirely self-funded. I cover all my travel, equipment, living expenses, and the cost of staying off-grid in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. The playa is brutal — on the body, the mind, and the gear. Every year, I end up replacing thousands of dollars in damaged equipment. And like pretty much everyone at Burning Man, I'm not paid as a photographer. The event is built on a "gifting economy" so this is my gift to the community. Since 2019 I have spent between $10-$15,000 each year. My equipment list for this year is about $10K. I can no longer do this on my own. Can you help? Even $20 goes a long ways. Or maybe you can forward this to someone who loves that the Temple at Burning Man means. Every bit of help and encouragement does a lot. All funds raised will pay for equipment. I'm personally committed to pay my personal expenses, personally. A video describing the 2026 Temple of the Moon is here: The video from 2025 Temple of the Deep can be viewed here: