DATES: SEPTEMBER 26 – 28, 2025
TUITION: $589
LOCATION: GARDINER, MT
GROUP SIZE: 6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 2
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Fall is one of the most splendid times to capture Yellowstone’s wildlife and stunning landscape! This workshop is all about focusing on capturing the park’s autumn scenery and abundant wildlife. The timing of this workshop is intended to coincide with fall foliage peak. Participants will explore the park’s northern region from Lamar Valley and beyond, stopping to capture with your camera the park’s inspiring spring landscape while searching for rutting elk and elusive predators like wolves, foxes, and coyotes, as well as large mammals like big-horned sheep, moose, bison, and mule deer. Participants will immerse themselves along with cameras in Yellowstone’s most exciting and arguably most beautiful season! While participants will spend most of the time together in the field, there will be some limited classroom time for discussing camera technique, creative composition, and post-processing strategies.
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
Evening Orientation, welcome and introductions. Participants will meet in one of the Yellowstone Forever Classrooms in the rear area of the Yellowstone Forever building in Gardiner for orientation. This building is across from the Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance to the Park. Education staff will go over the program itinerary, discuss clothing and equipment needed for daily outings, and answer any questions participants may have. Participants will spend some time in the classroom discussing camera technique and settings for landscape and wildlife photography
DAY 2
In the Field!
It will be an early start (before sunrise ~6:30 a.m.) and a late evening (a little after sunset ~7:15 p.m.). There will be some time mid-day for taking some well-deserved downtime as class will likely circle back to Gardiner for a break before heading out again in the afternoon.
DAY 3
In the Field!
It will be an early start (before sunrise ~6:30 a.m.) and a late evening (a little after sunset ~7:15 p.m.). There will be some time mid-day for taking some well-deserved downtime as class will likely circle back to Gardiner for a break before heading out again in the afternoon.
DAY 4
Final day wrap up – the course will conclude with an Adobe Lightroom image development session in the classroom.
Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 26, 2025, and goes through 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
- For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
- 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.
EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:
Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.
- 1 or 2 DSLR or Mirrorless Camera body(ies)
- Tripod and head– good quality, sturdy
- Camera manual(s)
- Extra batteries and chargers
- Wide angle lens (14-35mm) – for landscape
- Medium lens (24-120mm)- for landscape
- Long lens (200-600mm) – for wildlife
- Teleconverter – optional
- Spare liner gloves
- Microfiber or dry cloths – for moisture maintenance
- Weather covering for camera/lens
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 406-848-9128.
General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Gardiner-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.
To review the cancellation policy for this program, please visit our webpage which outlines cancellation policies by program type here.
Kevin League, M.A.
Kevin League, M.A., is a Helena, Montana based award-winning professional landscape, lifestyle, and wildlife photographer, capturing Montana and the western United States’ most beautiful, fleeting, and fascinating moments. He has been a student of photography for several decades beginning as a teenager when his parents handed down their 35mm film Nikon cameras to him. Fast forward a few decades later, Kevin would establish his photography business in 2015, and in 2020 he opened a gallery in downtown Helena, fulfilling a lifelong dream and quickly becoming one of Montana’s favorite new visual artists.
Inspired by early conservation photographers, Kevin believes his ability to share the beauty of our last best places will inspire others to respect, protect, and enjoy them. Kevin has dedicated his life to conservation through his photography, educational workshops and throughout a career protecting natural places that has spanned over 20 years with governmental and non-governmental organizations.