National Wildlife Parks visits with Professionals

Anyone here ever been with group to one of the National Wildlife Parks (i.e. Yellow Stone, Grand Teton etc.) with one a professional photographers that sponsor these sort of trips? If so, can you suggest a good company to plan such a trip. I'd like to visit several of these parks but want to go with a Pro whose been there done that and knows the area and the perfect time to visit. Basically, I want to go with a Pro who's experienced and will afford me some opportunities for wildlife photos; don't want to be spinning my wheels.

Can anyone suggest such an outfit?

Thanks...Al

I haven't been to a National Park but I did an Alaska and Hawaii workshop that was more focused on Photoshop but Moose Peterson was one of the photographers that led the shooting sessions. He is very patient and will give you excellent instruction from what I observed. I've seen his name pop up on several different workshops and the ones that I was on was sponsored via NAPP. A Google search will probably find you what you are looking for. There is a ton of guys out there offering workshops so I understand your caution. I know that he spends alot of time in the Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. The other person that was on the trips I was was Laurie Excel. She was spent more time talking to the people about getting the most out of their cameras. She could speak in general terms about Canon but as a Nikon shooter she was very detailed with those people. It took her a tad longer to get the same message across to Canon people due the difference in button and menu locations between the two brands.

Hey thanks. I will google those 2 people and see what I get.

Jess Lee does Yellowstone trips in the winter. He is considered to specialize in wolves. Here's a link to his site:
http://www.jessleephot​os.com/tipsandtrips.ht​m

Thanks Tom

Methodical wrote in post #9430845
Thanks Tom

You're welcome, Al

If you have an interest in any of the parks out west here, feel free to contact me thru PM or email. I've shot at most of the ones in MT, CO, WY, OR, northern CA, and here in WA. I'd be glad to tell you anything I know about any of the parks/areas I am familiar with.

Or, if there's any specific species you'd be particularly interested in you can let me know which one, and I'll try to help you find where that species is most effectively photographed.

I think that a well-informed individual can do better on his own than as part of a tour. Of course the "well-informed" part is the key to success.

Thanks for that.

I agree that one would do better on his own than with a group...but as you say knowledge is key.

I will take you up on that.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #9430904
You're welcome, Al

If you have an interest in any of the parks out west here, feel free to contact me thru PM or email. I've shot at most of the ones in MT, CO, WY, OR, northern CA, and here in WA. I'd be glad to tell you anything I know about any of the parks/areas I am familiar with.

Or, if there's any specific species you'd be particularly interested in you can let me know which one, and I'll try to help you find where that species is most effectively photographed.

I think that a well-informed individual can do better on his own than as part of a tour. Of course the "well-informed" part is the key to success.

Like Tom said, send me an email if you have some specific questions on various species that you want to see and I can help you out. It sounds like you are looking more for a guide than necessarily a pro photographer, because of your statement"I want to go with a Pro who's experienced and will afford me some opportunities for wildlife photos; don't want to be spinning my wheels", more than you are looking for a photog that will give photography advice.

I would offer myself up, but I don't think that my day job would probably allow, however, I would recommend checking out the forums at Yellowstone.net for some great advice and just before you go, it is a great way to pre-scout where wildlife is being scene. Also, when there, look up a gentleman that they call bearman, I think his name is Kevin and he offers customized guide service and claims to have a 95% success rate on seeing bears.

For the general photography on the net audience, if you could tell us a little more about when you plan on visiting, I think Tom, Rik, and I would be able to give you some good pointers on what to see, when, and where.

Thanks for the offer and link sweet. I will have to sit down and really check my work schedule to map out times. I will take you up on your offer and I will research the Yellowstone forum. Oh and you're right, I just would like to work with a guide for the great locations not someone to teach me anything

Thanks

Hello Sweetlu60. I am planning for the spring months (late)...May-June. From my brief research today and viewing folks photos that May-June seems to be a good time of the year to visit Yellowstone. I want to go when there's not lots of folks around but decent wildlife opportunities. I figured if it's not quite hot but still a bit cold...most people (families) would stay away for the most part, plus school has not let out yet either. At the moment I will be traveling alone, which is no problem for me. I will send you guys pm's with more specific ?s though.

Again thanks

sweetlu60 wrote in post #9443146
...For the general photography on the net audience, if you could tell us a little more about when you plan on visiting, I think Tom, Rik, and I would be able to give you some good pointers on what to see, when, and where.

i have found through experience to get a local guide, fishing or hunting, they know where the wildlife stays and are alot more reasonable in price.

Don't waste your time with guides etc. As mentioned above the YNET forum is great to locate where the animals are. Just take your laptop and you'll get a daily report from other photographers in the park where the action is. Your going at a good time. End of May-1st of June. Thats the birthing season and you will not be dissapointed. Try to get a place in the Gardiner area to stay. The north end of the park is usually where you'll see wolves etc. Get up before dawn and start out towards the Lamar Valley. You'll see photographers stopped wherever there is action. Make your reservations early as the park gets crowded with photographers and wildlife watchers even during that time of year.

If you have any specific questions send me an E-mail. I've gone up the YNP and the Tetons at least twice a year for the last 25 years and would be glad to help you out. treeline@q.com

Don George

Thanks for the info. I have joined Ynet and have been browsing. I will be in contact for sure.

mobileman wrote in post #9646268
Don't waste your time with guides etc. As mentioned above the YNET forum is great to locate where the animals are. Just take your laptop and you'll get a daily report from other photographers in the park where the action is. Your going at a good time. End of May-1st of June. Thats the birthing season and you will not be dissapointed. Try to get a place in the Gardiner area to stay. The north end of the park is usually where you'll see wolves etc. Get up before dawn and start out towards the Lamar Valley. You'll see photographers stopped wherever there is action. Make your reservations early as the park gets crowded with photographers and wildlife watchers even during that time of year.

If you have any specific questions send me an E-mail. I've gone up the YNP and the Tetons at least twice a year for the last 25 years and would be glad to help you out. reeline@q.com

Don George

Tom Reichner wrote in post #9423281
Jess Lee does Yellowstone trips in the winter. He is considered to specialize in wolves. Here's a link to his site:
http://www.jessleephot​os.com/tipsandtrips.ht​m

I'm here with his tour right now.

Check out the workshops/tours organized through the Friends of Arizona Highways.

They draw on a very strong list of professionals to run these.