Grand Teton National Park Photography Workshop
Photograph snow-capped peaks, quiet reflections, and historic barns during one of the Tetons' most visually compelling seasons.
Workshop overview
Workshop video
About the Grand Teton National Park photography workshop
Grand Teton National Park is a place where landscape photography looks straightforward at first glance, but the decisions are anything but simple. The mountains are massive, the light changes quickly, and the difference between a postcard image and a photograph you're proud of often comes down to small choices: where you stand, how you place the horizon, how you handle a bright snowfield, and whether focus is actually where you think it is. This workshop is built around giving those decisions the attention they deserve, with guidance in the field and practical Photoshop help later, so you leave better prepared to turn a good scene into a finished photograph.
We approach the Tetons with the respect they demand: early starts, considered setups, and time to watch a scene evolve when conditions allow. Newer photographers build a solid foundation through focus technique, exposure control, and composition fundamentals. More experienced photographers refine the details that separate “pretty” from “strong,” including clean edges, visual flow, and knowing when a scene benefits from simplification rather than added drama.
Photographic highlights
Spring landscapes
Landscapes in the Tetons often contain multiple visual elements within a single frame, including bright peaks, dark forests, reflective water, and textured foregrounds. These scenes require thoughtful decisions about exposure, framing, and visual priority. Time is spent evaluating how elements relate to one another, what detail matters most, and how to keep the composition strong.
Historic structures
The barns and cabins aren't just subjects. They act as anchors that give scale to the mountains and context to the frame. These scenes require thinking carefully about choices, including focal length, viewpoint, and how lines such as fences are used, as well as catching small distractions before pressing the shutter.
Mountain reflections
Reflections in the Tetons can be extraordinary, and we're ready when they appear. We talk through when symmetry strengthens a frame and when it weakens it, and how to position yourself so reflections support the scene. If reflections aren't cooperating, we pivot by changing the composition so the photograph isn't dependent on them, because strong images do not require perfect conditions.
Wildlife opportunities
This is a landscape workshop first, but the Tetons are the Tetons—wildlife happens. If there are respectful opportunities, Andy will help you handle the basics quickly: stabilizing, choosing shutter speed without panic, and keeping settings simple under pressure. No chasing. No crowd behavior. Just being ready when the park offers a gift.
Why June is ideal in the Tetons
Snow-capped peaks and lush valleys
June often delivers the Tetons in their “best of both worlds” look: winter texture up high, spring color down low. The snow gives the range definition and graphic shape, while the valley greens keep the scene from going monochrome. It's also a month when early light and calm mornings often align, which is ideal for detail, color, and the kind of mornings worth waking up early for.
Workshop itinerary and schedule
Lodging
Colter Bay VillageGrand Teton National Park, Moran, WY 83013
Lodging website · 307-543-3100
Daily outline
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Day 1 (Saturday, June 13)
- — Arrive and check in.
- — Welcome meeting and introductions.
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Days 2–5 (Sunday–Wednesday, June 14–17)
Field sessions focused on Grand Teton landscapes, locations, light, and composition—plus post-processing instruction.
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Day 6 (Thursday, June 18)
Final morning session: workshop concludes after a sunrise shoot (typically wraps between 6:00–7:00 AM). Please avoid scheduling early flights.
What to expect
A typical day
Days in the Tetons revolve around light, not the clock. We shape the schedule around sunrise conditions and weather.
- Morning: We're on location before civil twilight, with time to settle in, evaluate the scene, and make thoughtful decisions as the light builds. On mornings when conditions support it, we may work a second nearby location before breakfast.
- Midday: This is time for rest, image review, and discussion, along with Photoshop sessions for those who bring a laptop. It's where field experiences start to connect, and small adjustments begin to make a noticeable difference.
- Evening: Evenings remain flexible. We review forecasts, decide whether sunset conditions are worth pursuing, and balance shooting with rest. Some evenings we head back out; others we conserve energy for the next morning.
Skills you'll improve
Many photographers arrive with a few images they love but struggle to repeat consistently. This workshop is about closing that gap—understanding why something worked, recognizing when it isn't, and making sound decisions even when conditions aren't ideal.
In the field, we work through focus strategy, depth-of-field choices, managing dynamic range, shooting panoramas, and knowing when bracketing or a change in position actually matters.
During post-processing sessions, Andy helps participants at their level, focusing on individual questions. Work often centers on light, color, and composition choices so finished images remain consistent with what the photographer was responding to in the field.
Note: Dramatic sunsets can happen, but they're never guaranteed. The schedule stays flexible so we can respond to real conditions instead of forcing a plan that doesn't fit the light.
Registration
We look forward to seeing you in Grand Teton National Park this spring. This workshop is currently sold out. Contact us with questions or for waitlist.
On the next page, you'll find secure PayPal buttons. You can check out as a guest using your credit or debit card—no PayPal account required.
Workshop details
- Experience level
- Suitable for developing to advanced photographers.
- Group size
- Small group (target of 8 participants) for individualized help.
- Effort
- Easy — most locations are a short walk from parking; uneven terrain in places.
- Conditions and elevation
- Mornings can be very cold. Shooting locations range from about 6,000 to 8,000 ft — hydrate and pace yourself.
Getting to the workshop
Air travel
Most people flying to this workshop use Jackson, WY or Salt Lake City, UT.
Drive time from Salt Lake City: ~4 hr 45 min
Driving and carpooling
Roads are mainly paved. During the workshop we encourage participants to carpool to reduce impact and build community. A standard rental car is sufficient. Photo locations are spread across the park, so expect a moderate amount of driving.
Recommended gear
Lenses
For landscape photography, a range equivalent to roughly 16mm to 200mm is recommended. For wildlife opportunities, 300mm+ is ideal.
Polarizing filter
A polarizer reduces glare on water and wet surfaces, improves color saturation, and can reduce haze—especially helpful for spring greens and skies.
Workshop community
Why this workshop?
Landscape photography has a way of slowing everything down. You start paying attention to light instead of notifications, to small shifts instead of constant noise. That's the pace we work at during the week. You'll learn solid technique and workflow, but just as importantly, you'll spend enough time in front of scenes to understand why decisions matter, even when conditions aren't perfect.
Andy's role during the workshop is simple: help you make stronger photographs. He doesn't use workshop time to build his own portfolio. He's there beside you, talking through composition, troubleshooting exposure, and helping you recognize what's working and what could be refined.
Just as meaningful as the photography is the atmosphere. Small groups, shared meals, early mornings, and honest conversations create a relaxed, supportive environment where learning happens naturally. You leave with clearer habits, better judgment, and a deeper connection to both the landscape and the process of photographing it.
FAQ
- Is this workshop suitable for beginners?
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Yes. This workshop is designed for a wide range of experience levels. If you're newer to landscape photography, we'll focus on building a solid foundation—focus technique, exposure control, and composition that actually holds together in the field. If you're more experienced, the emphasis shifts to refining decision-making: simplifying scenes, controlling edges, and making stronger choices when conditions aren't perfect. Instruction is adjusted to where you are, not where you're “supposed” to be.
- How much image review and post-processing instruction is included?
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Image review and post-processing are a meaningful part of this workshop, not an afterthought. We regularly spend midday sessions reviewing participant images and working through Photoshop techniques together. The goal is to help you understand why an image works (or doesn't) and how to improve it.
- Do I need to know Photoshop before attending?
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No. Prior Photoshop experience is not required. If you're new to post-processing, you can follow along, observe, and ask questions at your own pace. If you're more experienced, we'll dig into refining light, color, and composition. Photoshop instruction is supportive and optional, not intimidating or mandatory.
- How much one-on-one instruction will I get during the workshop?
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This is a small-group workshop, which allows for plenty of individual attention. Andy is present with participants in the field, talking through compositions, helping troubleshoot exposure and focus issues, and offering suggestions in real time. He's not shooting his own portfolio during the workshop. The focus stays on helping you make stronger photographs.
- What does a typical day look like?
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Days are built around light, not the clock. We're usually on location before sunrise, giving you time to settle in and work through changing conditions as the light comes up. Midday is spent resting, reviewing images, and working through post-processing and questions indoors. Evenings are flexible, some nights we photograph sunset, other nights we rest and prepare for the next morning.
- Is this workshop more about shooting or learning?
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It's both. You'll spend plenty of time photographing iconic locations, with instruction available at whatever level you want. Some participants come primarily for the locations and the shared experience of shooting in a small group; others want deeper guidance on composition, exposure, or post-processing. The common thread is a thoughtful pace. We slow down, watch the light change, and make better decisions, whether you're working independently or talking things through along the way.