I am not sure, some expertice was required
I am not sure of the photographers technique, but all other pics of the laser show streaking of the stars... In real life it looks a lot like that picture but with the laser looking slightly fainter... the laser beam is quite visible when we propagate.... He may have done a combining of two different exposures.
When we were observing the galactic center I stepped outside- I saw the milky way and the dark dust lanes in it... and I saw the laser pointing to the black hole hidden to my eyes... it was a very nice moment- kinda put the job in perspective...
The job can be rewarding...