Grand Teton: Spring Wildlife Photography tour
Photography Tour by Wildside Nature Tours
DATES: May 17-24, 2025
TRIP LEADERS: JENNIFER LEIGH WARNER
COST: $3,500PP
GROUP SIZE: 4-6
The Spring Wildlife Photography Workshop in Grand Teton is led North American Nature Photography Association Ethics Chair, Jennifer Leigh Warner. We will search out the abundant wildlife photography opportunities while capturing the iconic landscape compositions as well. A wide and diverse portfolio will be the takeaway for participants of this workshop!
Springtime in the Tetons is flush with beauty and photographic opportunities. With such a shortened growing season, both flora and fauna burst forth with energy and vigor to make the most of the warmth and food sources that appear. Young babies are welcomed into the world about this time as the wildflowers carpet the landscape. Elk, bison, moose, mule deer, and pronghorn are just a few of the commonly seen species in the area. Both black bears and grizzlies bring their cubs out of hibernation, and, with a bit of luck, we will capture them foraging and learning the “bear” necessities.
With so much to see, you will be happy for the long days in the field. Evening will be reserved for rest, relaxation, and image critiques as requested.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Jackson Hole
We will meet in Jackson Hole and have a meet and greet dinner. At dinner we will discuss what to expect in the coming week, photography strategies, logistics, and ethical wildlife photography.
Day 2-5 – Explore Grand Teton National Park for the various photographic opportunities that occur at this special time of year.
Starting before sunrise, we head out to make the most of our time in this amazing location. While we will cover the iconic locations like Mormon Row, Antelope Flats, Gros Ventre River, Oxbow Bend, and Jenny Lake, we will also be exploring the lesser-known areas for secluded wildlife sightings, wildflower fields, and intimate landscape compositions.
The main focus of this workshop will be to capture images of the numerous species of wildlife that call this area home. Elk with new antler growth covered in velvet. Bison with their newborn calves, aka “red dogs”, at their sides. Moose grazing in ponds with fresh spring growth starting to appear. And the always anticipated potential of bear sightings with their COY (cubs-of-the-year) trailing behind. Other wildlife opportunities can include pronghorn, coyotes, foxes, badgers, and a whole list of birds.
Evenings we will have an opportunity for image critiques as the group requests. This can be a great way to grow your skills overnight and be able to apply ideas and techniques the very next day.
Day 6 – Open Day
Reviewing what the group has seen, the weather anticipated, we make a group decision on what we want to focus on during this last day, be it exploring additional areas or trying to target a specific species or revisiting a beloved location.
Day 7 – Return home
Depending on flight departure times, we may be able to squeeze in one last sunrise session at a nearby location. From there, we depart for home.