SPECIAL EVENT

4 DAY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP,

INCLUDING 1 DAY ON A SNOW COACH TO THE INTERIOR

January 24 - 26 for 6 people

This special photography workshop will be for 6 people and will include one day on the snow coach to Yellowstone's interior, three days in a large 12 seat van, two guides, motel room for 4 nights double occupancy, dinner on the 21st (alcohol not included) and lunches all 4 days.  You will get great interpretive information from our driver each day and as much photo instruction as you desire from myself, all 4 days.  

If you are interested in snow coach only, on January 22, send an email.  Will consider photography workshop or tour for one to four days, Tuesday through Friday, that week.  Private or group.  

All for $2495.00 - gratuity for guides not included

This workshop will focus primarily on wildlife photography and how to get the best images in snow.  Some landscape photography may be included, particularly during our day in the interior.  My extensive knowledge of Yellowstone and the wildlife will help you get the best compositions and action that we can for our images.  

SCHEDULE

•  Workshop is based out of Gardiner, MT

•  Evening before, we will do a meet and greet over dinner, included, but with alcohol on your own.

•  Each day of the workshop will run from 30 minutes before sunrise until we run 8 hours, except the snow coach, which will be 10 hours.

PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION

I ask that you know the basic settings of your camera before the workshop, in order to maximize shooting time with the wildlife.  You may have as much or as little instruction as you desire.  Some folks are looking for good photo ops while others are looking to improve their skills, or both.  We will pay attention to composition, lighting, location and the ethics of wildlife photography.  Be aware that we must follow the rules of the national park at all times.  We will also discuss animal behaviors and how this knowledge can help you become a better wildlife photographer.  

While most photography will be roadside for these group workshops, we may hike up to 1/2 mile in order to explore and see what we find.

In order to maximize shooting time, we generally do lunch on the go, unless we all need time out to relax and catch our breaths.

ABOUT DEBY

I have lived outside the north gate to Yellowstone for more than eleven years now, and have visited the park nearly every day during that time.  My knowledge of the wildlife comes from watching the animals and their behaviors for endless hours, hiking and paying attention to travel patterns, and experiencing the best places to get the right shots.  I have been providing workshops and tours in Yellowstone for 6 years and have limited my clientele and dates in order to have free time for more exploration and learning.  Yellowstone is a big place and I learn something new everyday.  I am not a pushy instructor but tend to let everyone go at their own pace.  My photography has been widely published, as has my writing.  I've also contributed video to documentaries about the wolves.  I do not enter contests or do much that takes time away from being out in the wild with my cameras.  I am passionate about the conservation of the parks and wildlife.

CAMERAS AND LENSES

I shoot Nikon mirrorless cameras, Z9 and Z6ii, with a Z100-400 and an 800 6.3 PF, 20-200 2.8, along with an array of shorter lenses.  I have used the Canon R5, so have some familiarity with that camera.

Any professional DSLR or mirrorless camera is fine but I can't recommend mirrorless enough for the outstanding focus tracking on wildlife.  If you haven't used a mirrorless camera before, please don't bring one with you to try the first time unless you have a DSLR backup, as you might become frustrated and miss some great shooting opportunities.  As far as lenses, I recommend at least 400mm but you will be happier with a 500 or 600mm, and a 1.4 teleconverter for longer shots.  A 400 2.8 with a 1.4 and 2x teleconverter would be ideal.  I recommend renting a longer lens for this trip, if you don't have one.  I often shoot with a tripod and always recommend one, but for some of the newer, lighter weight equipment, a monopod could work well.  Tripods come in handy for stable shooting situations, like a carcass, where we might be ready and waiting for action for a long period of time.

BOOKING YOUR WORKSHOP

Payment is due in full at the time of booking. See refund policy below  Trip insurance is recommended due to unforeseen difficulties.  Please arrange to arrive the day before the workshop and leave the day after we are done.  Or, of course, stay longer and enjoy the park.

LUNCHES

A sack lunch will be included  each day.  Be sure and put your order in for ham, turkey or beef.  Some special diets can be accommodated.

CLOTHING

Temperatures can and do change 50 degrees during the day, beginning with cold mornings and ending with warm, shirt sleeve weather.  

 •  Be sure and bring layers, hat, lightweight gloves, sunscreen and chapstick, and wear sturdy shoes.  

ITINERARY

Begin around 5:30 or 6 a.m. and quit some time between 3 and 5, depending on what you want to do.  Northern range days will be 8 hours, from before sunrise. 

PICKUP

Will pick up at your accomodations in Gardiner, MT.  For those staying out of town, we can meet near the Chamber of Commerce in Gardiner.  We can arrange to meet in other locations around the park, when it is open to vehicle traffic, for an extra fee.

BRING ALONG

• Warm clothes for cooler early morning hours
• Layers - expect temperature changes of 40 to 50 degrees, beginning with a touch of frost in the morning.
• Winter boots are a must for your comfort.  I prefer tall waterproof boots in case we need to cross a stream.
• Long pants
• Sweatshirt or fleece
• Rain jacket
• Hat and gloves
• Backpack to store extra clothing and snacks
• Water bottle (reusable) 
• Sun glasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera, lenses, extra batteries and memory cards - be sure and check on space availibility for extra lenses and tripod
• Optics if you have your own
• Trekking Pole
• Yak Traks for traction, to prevent falls
• National park pass (you can purchase at the gate, not included in tour fee)
• Bring a smile and expectations of a  great day in the park

INCLUSIONS

• Optics, binoculars and scope
• Full day private, custom, photography workshop • 8 hours
• Knowledgeable guides
• Comfortable ride - we drive, you look
• Conversation and knowledge
• Gratuities are not included in the tour price, please tip your guide

Bottled water and snacks

Will have extra hand warmers and some winter gear if needed.  If you need to borrow winter clothing or camera gear, please ask in advance

Pick up and drop off day of tour in Gardiner, MT

Photography instruction

EXCLUSIONS

• No smoking or wearing of perfumed scents during the tour.
• No firearms
• No guarantees of seeing specific animals - please remember that Yellowstone is wild and the wildlife travel great distances.  However, your guide has spent ten years in the park and will do her best to make your dreams come true.
• The smoking of marijuana is not allowed in the national parks.

ETHICS IN THE NATIONAL PARK

We will follow all national park rules of distance from the animals and parking.  While viewing wildlife we will do our best to be quiet so as to not disturb the animals or other park visitors.  Please follow the directions of your guide at all times - failure to do so could result in your tour ending abruptly with no refund.