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Oct 20
A person in winter clothing uses a large camera on a tripod to photograph bison in a snowy, foggy landscape with trees in the background.

Capturing Winter with Lisa Culpepper

A person bundled in a blue jacket, blue knit hat, and scarf, with frosty hair and eyebrows, stands outside in cold weather. Only their eyes are visible, surrounded by snow and ice on their clothing.Local professional photographer and guide, Lisa Culpepper, has more than 20 years of experience photographing the magic of Yellowstone in winter. She has also spent that time sharing her love of photography and this serene season in the park with visitors from all over the world.

We’re lucky enough to have Lisa guide a special photography expedition this winter in the park. This all-inclusive tour features travel in a rugged, comfortable, and heated snowcoach, meals, and stays at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Participants will take trips to iconic park locations in all their winter glory like Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin, the Firehole River, and more, and undoubtedly capture the park’s magnificent wildlife along the way.

There is still time to join Lisa on this once in a lifetime trip! See the full details below. This Winter Photography Expedition will take place from January 2-8, 2026.

Learn More & Book

For a little inspiration, take a look at some of Lisa’s images from past winter trips in the park. We also caught up with Lisa as she elaborated on what makes winter such a magical time in Yellowstone and what she hopes participants come away with from this photographic journey in the park’s winter wonderland. Scroll below to read on.

  • A herd of bison stands on a snow-covered plain with large plumes of steam rising in the background, possibly from geysers in a wintry landscape.
  • Steaming hot spring with vivid blue water, surrounded by snow, dead trees, and misty air, creating a stark, surreal winter landscape.
  • A red fox sits in the snow, facing the camera, with its mouth slightly open. Its bushy tail is curled around its body, and sparse grass sticks out of the snow around it.
  • People walk on a snowy path near steaming hot springs, with snow-covered trees and hills in the background. Thick steam rises into the wintry sky.
  • Three white swans fly in formation against a blue sky with light clouds.
  • Two white swans stand and sit at the edge of an icy pond, facing each other with their reflections visible in the water. The background is snowy and minimalistic.
  • A herd of bison stands on snowy ground near steaming hot springs, with mist rising and rocky terrain in the foreground.
  • A yellow Yellowstone Park tour vehicle is parked on a snow-covered road surrounded by snow-laden trees and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
  • A person kneels in snow with a camera by a winding river in a snowy landscape, smiling at the camera. Pine trees line the river, and a lone animal walks along the riverbank in the distance.
  • People in winter clothing stand on a snowy boardwalk taking photos of a hot spring surrounded by ice and snow, with steam rising and mountains visible in the background.
  • Snow-covered landscape with frosty trees and a river. Steam rises from geysers in the background under a blue sky, creating a contrast with the snowy ground.
  • A bobcat sits in the snow next to a fallen log, partially hidden. Snow covers the ground and the log, with some bare branches visible nearby.
  • Steam rises from snow-covered ground with hills in the background under a sky tinged with pink and blue clouds at sunrise or sunset.

What makes photographing Yellowstone in winter special?

The white velvety blanket of snow has a way of adding simplicity to our landscapes, allowing us to single out a frosty tree or isolate the bison as they trudge through the deep snow, or perhaps the red fox as it is leaping in the air to pounce on its prey beneath the snow. A really cold clear day will bring out the magic in Yellowstone – the diamond dust in the air, the rainbow (sundog) around the sun, the frosty eyelashes of a bison, the rime frost decorating the trees, it is simply wonderful! Not to mention, we enjoy having the park mostly to ourselves in the winter!

Do you have a favorite subject to photograph in the park?

As a naturalist enjoying all facets related to nature, I really enjoy all subjects in Yellowstone, from wildlife to waterfalls! Although I’d have to say I do end up with more bison images than I know what to do with. I appreciate this magnificent creature in all seasons, but a winter frosty bison to me is the epic shot of Yellowstone!

What are some of your favorite aspects of leading photography tours in Yellowstone?

I love sharing with folks just a few settings on their cameras that can help them come away with the gratification of capturing the experience, the emotions, the moment in time…rather than just a snapshot. To learn about our subjects as well, helps us to gain more appreciation for our photographs and helps us tell the meaningful story about this amazing place we call Yellowstone. It doesn’t matter what camera model one has…the important thing to remember is that it simply places us in the moment to be present and enjoy the natural world around us!

What do you hope participants come away with at the end of their trip?

For anyone considering joining us on this Winter Photo Expedition Jan 2 – Jan 8, 2026 I look forward to sharing the wonders of Yellowstone’s winter world and my collective experience, passion, and guidance of photographing Yellowstone in this winter environment for the past 20 years. Meanwhile, I am excited to share the detailed saga of a remarkable expedition that took place in January 1887 as we follow the historical route of the Haynes-Schwatka Expedition and learn the challenges and triumphs that Frank Jay Haynes experienced as he photographed the park during one of the harshest winters on record!

Artist Statement

Photographing in Yellowstone has taught me to slow down and become present in the moment, while establishing a deep-seated stewardship to these precious lands in order to protect them for future generations. In order to remain faithful to Yellowstone’s raw beauty, I strive to keep my photographic images true to nature. With minimal post processing desired, I employ my camera as the artist’s palette and set the mood with proper exposure while creating a compelling composition to share Yellowstone’s captivating stories. As a nature photographer-guide, I look forward to each new day capturing the wonders of Yellowstone and sharing these moments with others.