DATES: January 18 – 21, 2027
PRICE: $TBD | TUITION & LODGING
LOCATION: LAMAR BUFFALO RANCH
GROUP SIZE: 8
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 1
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Is your camera one of your best friends? Do you want to learn more about wildlife and how to tell their stories? Do you want to take your photography to the next level while learning how you can help conserve what you love?
With winter landscapes as your background, come immerse yourself with fellow enthusiasts in the heart of Yellowstone.
This advanced class is designed for photographers who already have a solid grasp of the fundamentals prior to attending. We will be focused on looking for the story, how to tell it, and why it is important. With full days in the field, you will have plenty of opportunities to find them!
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
The program begins with an evening orientation where participants will have the opportunity to get acquainted and learn about the program. During this session, weâll review the itinerary, introduce key seminar concepts, and provide guidance on what to pack for the field each day.
DAY 2
FIELD EXCURSIONS AND CLASS TIME
The day will begin early in the field, with time dedicated to searching for and photographing wildlife. The group will return to the Ranch in the late morning for lunch, followed by class time indoors.
During class, we will explore wildlife habits and habitats, as well as how to interpret the stories animals reveal through their behavior and surroundings. Class time will be highly interactive, with space for questions, conversation, and participantâdriven discussion. Topics will be shaped by the interests and questions that emerge from the group.
In the late afternoon, we will head back into the field to apply what weâve discussed and continue photographing wildlife.
DAYS 3 – 4
FIELD EXCURSIONS
Field excursions will begin early, with time dedicated to searching for and photographing wildlife. Wildlifeâparticularly large carnivoresâis most active during the early morning and late evening hours. By happy coincidence, that is when the light for photography is also best.
On these days, the group will meet before first light and remain in the field into the evening. Midday hours will be spent discussing animal behavior, photographic techniques, or enjoying wellâdeserved downtime. Depending on conditions and opportunities, the group may or may not return to the Ranch during the daytime portion of these excursions.
DAY 5
FIELD EXCURSION & IMAGE REVIEW
In the early morning, the group will be out in the field searching for wildlife to photograph. Depending on weather conditions and wildlife activity, participants will return to the Ranch around midday for lunch and classroom time. The group will review images from the field and work on digital darkroom techniques to refine both technical skills and visual storytelling.
DAY 6
CHECKOUT & DEPARTURE
Dates & Times:Â The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2027, and goes through Thursday, January 21, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
Lodging Check-in & Check-out:Â Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2027, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2027.
Meals:Â This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
Optional Airport Shuttle:Â We provide an optional airport shuttle for those interested. The shuttle service is provided on the first day of the program with a 1:00 p.m. pickup and the last day of the program with a departure from the Lamar Buffalo Ranch at 8:00 a.m.
1st Day of Program | Shuttle Pickup Location: Â Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
1st Day of Program | Shuttle Drop off Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Check-out Day | Shuttle Pickup Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Check-out Day | Shuttle Departure Location: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
If you opt-in to the shuttle service, please ensure that your flight booking will allow for you to be picked up and dropped off during the above timeframes.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
General Information:Â For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar Buffalo Ranch – Winter General Information document.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 1
- Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
RECOMMENDED READINGS
- Reading your camera manual is highly recommended as well as a manual(s) for which ever post processing software you prefer.
The camera equipment that participants bring should be easily portable in a camera bag or day pack. There should be ample room on the bus, so participants should bring what they think they will need. If students are planning on making a purchase before coming to Yellowstone and they would like Megâs advice on their options, they can feel free to contact her before they buy.
- Camera body, sturdy tripod with camera mount, and interchangeable lenses: You can bring the longest lens you have, but don’t neglect the smaller ones such as a wide angle. I use everything from around 16 mm to 800 mm. If you bring a large lens that can’t be kept at your side in the seat, be sure to bring a very protective case.
- Camera and Lens manuals. If you don’t have your lens manual, that’s okay, but sometimes they can be very helpful. If you don’t have your camera manual, please look up your camera manufacture online and download the manual so you will have it to refer to. You will have access to the internet in the classroom because the Ranch now has StarLink.
- Teleconverter if you have one, any size.
- Batteries for your camera (and any other devices you might bring). The number of camera batteries you will need will depend generally upon two factors, how quickly your individual camera consumes them and how cold it is outside. (Cold really draws down even the best batteries.) At a minimum, you should have at least one extra.
- Battery Charger if yours are rechargeable
- Card Storage: Please anticipate that you will be out in the field all day and not able to purchase more card storage or download until later in the evening. You will need to bring enough storage with you to get you through the day.
- Laptop if you have one and want to use it. Be sure you have loaded the software you need to be able to view your raw images as well as the program you want to use to develop them.
- Card Reader and attachment cord to download your images to your computer.
- Jump or Thumb Drive: On the last day we will be sharing, evaluating and editing. It would be very helpful if you can put your selections on a drive to share.
- Rain/Snow covering for your camera and lens. Large enough for both as they sit waiting on a tripod. This does not need to be fancy, but it does need to be effective even when the wind is blowing (lightly).
- Microfiber cloth which is just the ticket for wiping moisture off your equipment.
- Books for your post processing software. If you don’t have a manual or book, and you use an Adobe product, I would highly recommend you consider the library of books produced by Scott Kelby. He has written them for every version of Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements. His books are easy to follow and entertaining to read. Purchase the one for the version of software you are using, regardless of how old or outdated. If you are using product other than Adobe, try to find a manual of some sort. Many can be downloaded online.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
General Information:Â For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar Buffalo Ranch – Winter General Information document.
TESTIMONIALS
“Meg Sommers is one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever met, from her knowledge, passion, and never-ending curiosity about Yellowstone and the natural world, to her generosity in sharing it all. She’s also, of course, a brilliant photographer, educator and communicator. Plus she’s funny, kind, patient, and apparently tireless. I learned (and grasped) more about photography than I ever have, but I think I learned as much about life. I am a fan :)” – Cynthia, CA
“Meg Sommers was fantastic. Her wildlife photography class was definitely top notch. And her assistant/driver Hannah was delightful and so very helpful!!!” – David, MD
BOOK THIS FIELD SEMINAR NOW
Meg Sommers, J.D.
Meg Sommers has been an outdoor enthusiast since early childhood. A resident of Cody, she has been photographing seriously in Yellowstone National Park since 1990. Megâs photography covers the full spectrum from landscapes and wildlife to flowers. Her passion, however, is to photograph and tell the stories of wildlife, and she has traveled worldwide to seek new and interesting opportunities to do so. After 20 years in practice, in 2006, she decided to retire as an attorney and judge to photograph full-time.
Meg has served as a judge in photo competitions and is a grand prize winner in the Wyoming Wildlife photography competition. She recently added to her list of awards the grand prize in the 2022 Outdoor Photographer Magazineâs Wildlife Photo Contest. Meg was also featured as a naturalist and professional photographer in a 15-minute video aired on French television about Yellowstone National Park.
Since 2010 she has had the privilege to teach nature and wildlife photography in Yellowstone for Yellowstone Forever and Road Scholars. Meg loves teaching both the fundamentals and advanced photography skills. She hopes that in doing so, she is helping her students gain a greater insight into the natural world that surrounds us.
