Overview
Participate in a half-day photography tour in Grand Teton National Park, led by an professional naturalist guide and photographer. This half day experience is designed for photographers who are already adept with their cameras and are eager to delve into photography. Grand Teton National Park, renowned for its diverse plant and animal life and stunning snow-covered mountain vistas, offers a perfect setting for capturing breathtaking landscape and wildlife images.
This is a wildlife safari tour with a photography focus.
Highlights
- Introduction to Landscape & Wildlife Photography
- Professional Instruction & Creative Direction
- Grand Teton National Park Tour & Wildlife Sightings
Our expert photography guides will offer comprehensive insights into landscape and wildlife photography within Grand Teton National Park. As the day progresses, your guide will assist in enhancing your skills, addressing fundamental aspects like equipment, lighting, composition, and other key photography elements.
It’s important to remember that landscape photography can be influenced by varying weather conditions, and wildlife photography relies on the presence and behavior of animals, which can be unpredictable. Your photography guide will gladly assist you with your camera equipment, address any photography-related queries, and share their top photography techniques and practices.
This tour is van-based with ample time out of the vehicle for photography and instruction. Please come prepared for a variety of conditions and terrain.
The half-day private photography tour starts with an early morning pick-up, aiming to make the most of the wildlife and landscape possibilities. The pick-up time is adjusted based on the day’s weather and light conditions. Our experienced photography guides tailor the journey to your creative aspirations and objectives.
During the tour, you’ll traverse approximately 50 miles within the national park, focusing on conditions favorable for photography. The park features several well-positioned viewing spots, each presenting unique scenes, from meandering rivers and crystal-clear lakes reflecting the sky, to rugged mountain peaks, offering chances for extraordinary wildlife photography.
As nature is ever-changing, each photo captured, even from renowned locations like the Snake River Overlook or Oxbow Bend, is distinct, influenced by daily shifts in weather, clouds, and lighting. Our guides, knowledgeable in popular photography sites, will also guide you in refining your skills at each location, tailoring the tour to your physical and technical capabilities.
The unpredictability of wildlife sightings adds to the thrill. Commonly seen animals like bison, moose, and pronghorn have specific habitats, yet surprises abound with potential sightings in unusual places, leading to unique photographic moments. Rarer species like otters, wolves, great gray owls, and bobcats add to the excitement, as they may briefly appear before disappearing.
To gain insights into the seasonal patterns of wildlife in Jackson Hole, you can explore more about the different seasons and the wildlife commonly seen in Grand Teton National Park, or around Jackson Hole. If you’re keen on photographing a particular species, timing your visit accordingly increases your chances of encountering them in their natural habitat.
What's Included
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Hotel pickup
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Professional photography guide
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Private safari
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Light breakfast
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Assorted snack basket
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Hot and cold beverages
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Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
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Guide gratuities
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National Park entrance fees
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Personal photography equipment
Private Safari
Pick-up Times
All guests are picked up and returned to their place of lodging. We pick up at hotels and condos in Jackson and Teton Village. Your exact pick up time will be determined by your hotel location and the season. Please make note of your pickup time, and save it for your reference.
Please give your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled time to allow for other pickups or traffic conditions. Changes to trip timing may be made to accommodate daylight and/or optimum wildlife viewing.
Approximate pickup times for Jackson Hole include:
November 1 – March 14
- 7:00 AM – Teton Village locations
- 7:30 AM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani, Spring Creek, and Town of Jackson locations
- 1:00 PM – Teton Village locations
- 1:30 PM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani, Spring Creek, and Town of Jackson locations
March 15 – April 30
- 7:00 AM – Teton Village locations
- 7:30 AM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani, Spring Creek, and Town of Jackson locations
- 2:00 PM – Teton Village locations
- 2:30 PM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani, Spring Creek, and Town of Jackson locations
Could not recommend the safari and my guide enough. He was very knowledgeable about the history of Jackson Hole, gave me a lot of local tips, and took me to the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We saw moose, elk, eagles, and tons of other wildlife. It was beyond what I expected.
Safari Tour Gallery
All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides.
FAQs
What equipment do we need to have for a half day photography tour?
Make sure you bring equipment you’re used to using and are comfortable with. Before your photography tour, make sure you have fully charged batteries, including an extra one, and bring spare memory cards as well. For landscape photography, a 14mm-24mm and 24mm-70mm lens are best. For wildlife photography, a 300mm, 500mm and 600mm lens are best.
What should we wear for a half day photo tour during the winter?
For the winter months, layers are key. Choose lightweight synthetic or wool layers to wear against the skin and add insulating layers, like thicker wool or fleece, to keep you warm. A windproof or waterproof shell is important to wear over your layers in order to keep you dry. Waterproof snow boots with good traction should be worn with wool or synthetic socks to keep your feet warm and dry. Don’t forget to bring a wool or fleece hat and warm pair of gloves or mittens.
What animals will we see on a half day photo tour in Grand Teton National Park?
Each season provides a diversity of flora and fauna in Grand Teton National Park, but not all seasons are the same. You’ll want to align your visit with your photography goals, enhancing your chances of seeing your favorite subjects in the wild. During the winter months (November, December, January, February, March) you may see elk, bighorn sheep, moose (although they may not have antlers), coyote and fox.
Guides and Staff
Our Team
Local, experienced, and passionate guides and photographers.
Further Reading
Best Photography Spots in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park
May 13, 2013
We created a map from Google Maps showing the best places to stop and photograph Teton National Park so that you’ll be sure to come away with dramatic photos of Grand Teton.
iPhone Photography – Basic Tips and Tricks
Jul 4, 2019
Did you know that you have a powerful camera right in your pocket? Professional Photographer, Dwight Vasel, breaks down some basic iPhone functionality for you. Read more about the tips and tricks you can use to take photographs and video with your smartphone. With a camera built in to your phone, you have a powerful little point and shoot at your fingertips, perfect for wildlife photography in the field.
