Private Conservation Photography and Writing Workshops

NEW WORKSHOP OFFERED

GEARED TOWARDS THE CONSERVATIONIST AND WRITER

WHO WANTS EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN

1 - 3 day workshops available year around

This photography workshop in Yellowstone focuses on capturing images and making stories about the experience for social media and other publications for educating the public about the plight of the wild.  We will focus on the whole story, not just the pretty picture.

Conservation photography is about trying to save the object of your cause, be it wolves or rivers, through depiction of the truth, using images and writings, to tell its story.  Yellowstone, being a national park, is ripe with conservative issues from preserving the land, helping others understand the role of predators in the eco-system and seeking tolerance outside of the park boundaries.  You might be interested in wolves, arguably the most hated mammal on earth, or the bison that are slaughtered outside of the park - the coyotes and foxes that are treated like vermin.

One key component to conservation photography and writing is ethics.  While we do attempt to capture stunning images of the animals, we try to do so without disturbing them and causing undo hardship.  Ethics is not only essential for the welfare of the animals but also for being a voice that people will listen to.  As photographers in a national park we are constantly observed by other visitors and so try to model ethical behavior by not chasing the animals, getting to close, running them down with our vehicles in order to get a shot, or making them feel unsafe and vulnerable.  If we are photographing an animal and it begins to run away from us, it is time to stop.  Besides, a chased animal never quits running so you won't catch up.  Some times, a situation might be too crowded or noisy and just doesn't feel like nature photography - if it is stable, we might get a few images of the animals, crowd and scenery and move on, leaving it to others.  Some times, there are other visitors who can not enjoy the animal because we are hogging the space, so we move on after awhile.  We try to park so others can enjoy the scene, keep our voices low, don't slam the car doors, don't run, don't walk in front of other people's lenses, park legally and keep adequate distance from the animals.  Just because others are getting too close doesn't mean it is the right thing to do.

My style of conservation photography and writing is to always do my best to depict the truth.  This method will thrill some folks, while upsetting others.  I am loved and hated all at once but my choice is still the truth, even if unpopular.  My reason for focusing on the truth is that nothing changes for the better unless a bad or untenable situation is exposed.  In silence, we paticipate in the ruin of our wild world, but using our voice or art can offer hope for something better.  

PLEASE VISIT AND JOIN MY FB PHOTOGRAPHY PAGE FOR EXAMPLES OF MY WORK:  https://www.facebook.com/wildmemoriesbydeby

We will begin our day out looking for wolves or other dramatic wildlife sightings in the early morning.  As the day unfolds, we will study signs in the landscape to locate other wildlife.  We will take a few minutes after each sighting to write notes of our experience and observations and this will give you a chance to ask me questions about what we just saw.  I have spent 11+ years in Yellowstone and much of the time has been in observation of behaviors, or looking for wildlife, using natural signs, such as birds, rather than man made telemetry or following the crowd.  

The goal of your day is to make a story that will engage and excite others, and post it on social media.  I have found that the way to interest others is to engage them emotionally, so we will be observing the entire scene, a look in an animal's eye, other wildlife in the vicinity, interactions, travel patterns, and the reactions of others.

After our day in the field, we will meet for dinner and discuss how we want to write about the experience.  We can also talk about photo choices and why one is more important than the other.  If dinner is not an option, due to time constraints, we will schedule an hour to talk or message in the next couple of days afterwards.  

Conservation photography and writing is about being excited and passionate, and having the desire to share with others so that they will be excited as well.  With practice and persistence, you will find that you can make excellent images while focusing on conservation and ethics.  And, we should remember that we all get excited about seeing an animal and capturing photos, and may not live up to our own ideals of ethics - the key is to not beat ourselves up and, instead, own our excitement and try to do better next time.  Ethical photography comes with years of practice.  Some photographers will be chasing after wildlife from day one to the last day of their careers, while others will learn how best to get the image without harming the animal.  These are personal choices that we make - one of the hardest things to learn is how to mind our own business and allow others to be who they are.  We are on a personal journey and saving the wild is not about competition with others but about doing the best we can, while always striving to do better.

These workshops can run from 1 to 5 days.  Price is for the first day, each additional day is $500.00 per person.  Deby recommends a minimum of three days for this tour, for the greatest benefit, for a special price of $1500.00.  Two days would be $1100.00.

Please ask about lunch possibilities.

ITINERARY

Begin around 5:30 or 6 a.m. and quit some time between 3 and 5, depending on what you want to do.  

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, educational tour • 8 hours
• Knowledgeable guide
• Comfortable ride - we drive, you look
• Conversation and knowledge
• Notebooks and pen
• 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.