Winter Yellowstone Photography Workshop Reviews & Field Report
Winter in Yellowstone is pure magic. The crowds disappear, sound softens under snow, and the park feels ancient and alive in a way that’s hard to put into words. It’s one of my favorite places on earth to photograph during the winter months, and I look forward to these trips every single year. No two winters are ever the same and that’s exactly why I have several clients who return almost annually. Each workshop delivers new conditions, new encounters, and plenty of unforgettable moments shared in the cold.
This January, I led four winter Yellowstone photography workshops back-to-back, Two were based out of West Yellowstone and the other two were based out of Gardiner Montana with a focus on Lamar Valley.
Winter settles softly over Yellowstone National Park as warm steam rises gently from the frozen ground. Backlit by the low light of a cold morning, the vapor drifts upward like a slow exhale, glowing against the chill air. A quiet stand of trees waits beyond, partially veiled, their silhouettes softened by the meeting of heat and frost. The scene is a perfect example of natural elements existing side by side in calm agreement.
The West Yellowstone workshops were based around a private snow coach, which allows us exclusive access into the park. Each participant gets their own seat plus a dedicated seat for camera gear. This is an enormous advantage for comfort, safety, and shooting efficiency during long winter days.
What follows is a recap of an incredible run of winter conditions, wildlife encounters, and shared experiences.
Workshop 1: Winter Yellowstone (West Yellowstone)
January 1–5, 2026
Orientation & Conditions
We gathered the evening before the workshop for orientation, but since everyone in the group had participated the previous year, the night quickly turned into a reunion with catching up, the sharing of stories and talking about upcoming photographic adventures. Fresh snow fell every night throughout the trip, leaving us with untouched winter landscapes each morning.
In Vast Expanse", a lone bison stands nearly lost within a sweeping hillside of snow, its dark form reduced to a quiet punctuation mark in a sea of white. The distance between viewer and subject becomes the story as scale overwhelms presence while the landscape asserts its dominance. The bison’s smallness emphasizes the immensity of winter and the solitude of life on the open plains.
Day 1
We entered the park before sunrise and started strong with a group of trumpeter swans in Hayden Valley. Shortly after, we encountered a massive bull bison plowing through deep snow, followed by another lone bison set against perfectly clean, untouched terrain.
An overcast afternoon gave us ideal conditions for photographing Lower Yellowstone Falls, before we worked our way along the Madison River for additional bison encounters. The day wrapped with a coyote near a fully picked clean carcass.
Alone wolf stands at the edge of the evergreens, its head turned toward the distance, ears tuned to sounds beyond the frame. The winter air feels taut with anticipation as the wolf listens, waiting for the answering call of its pack. Snow softens the landscape, but there is nothing soft about the expression in its eyes. The gaze is sharp, searching, and alive with intent. It almost feels as though the forest itself is holding its breath.
Day 2
We entered the park earlier than usual to check the carcass and were rewarded with a lone gray wolf from the Wapiti Pack feeding on the remaining bones. We photographed her from inside the snow coach through an open window. After she disappeared into the trees, she re-emerged down the road, paused, and let out several powerful howls as the group photographed from the open coach door.
Anticipating her path, we positioned ourselves ahead. Some participants stayed near the coach while others moved toward the river. The wolf appeared right near the coach, giving half the group a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Blowing snow and low visibility later in the day created perfect conditions for minimalist landscape work in the geyser basins. We also spent time with a cooperative bald eagle and ended the day photographing a small group of bull bison crossing the Madison River.
In this photograph winter pares the landscape down to its essentials. A strong wind carries snow sideways across the Lower Geyser Basin, softening edges and dissolving distance. The bobby socks trees get their name from their dark trunks wrapped in white at their base. Their repetition and spacing lends the scene a gentle rhythm as the motion of snow becomes the subject as much as the trees themselves.
Day 3
Wildlife sightings were lighter, so we leaned into landscapes, photographing bison, snowy geothermal scenes, and the “bobbysocks” trees near Fountain Paint Pots. A posing raven during a bathroom stop became an unexpected highlight. We finished the workshop along the Madison River with trumpeter swans, grouse, bald eagles, and you guessed it.... more bison.
5-Star Winter Yellowstone Photography Workshop Review
"Mike had organized everything to make this trip run smoothly. The hotel was ideally placed to make the journey into Yellowstone as convenient as possible. Mike’s knowledge of Yellowstone and the techniques required to get the best photograph possible were communicated clearly and concisely when needed. Everyone on this particular workshop seemed to have a great experience and I would highly recommend Mike’s workshop to other photographers interested in winter wildlife photography." - Mark D.
Workshop 2: Lamar Valley (Gardiner, MT)
January 9–11, 2026
Four of the six participants continued on to Gardiner with me. We held orientation around a firepit at the lodge on the evening of the 8th, setting expectations for three full days in Lamar Valley.
Day 1
We entered the park well before sunrise and quickly spotted a snowshoe hare, which disappeared almost immediately, though one participant managed a few quick frames. While waiting, we also spotted two distant pine martens.
The day unfolded beautifully: snow-covered bison, three moose (two still carrying antlers), a fox curling up on a hillside, and a stop in Cooke City for brunch. Afterward, we photographed three river otters rolling and cuddling on the ice for a truly special sighting.
Three river otters curl together on the ice, their bodies pressed close in a moment of shared warmth and affection. The winter landscape of Lamar Valley fades into quiet simplicity as the focus settles on their gentle interaction. Their small gestures feel almost human in their tenderness. Against the cold stillness of ice and snow, their closeness becomes a soft reminder that connection itself can be a form of warmth.
Day 2
We started with a brief moose sighting near Cooke City, followed by bison in soft light. At a known carcass site, we didn’t see carnivores, but a cooperative raven kept the group busy. The remainder of the day included coyotes, bighorn sheep, ducks, and pronghorn.
The frame tightens around a singular Raven that is dark, intelligent, and undeniably present. A light dusting of snow rests on the bird’s head creating a gorgeous contrast against the solid white backdrop of winter. Its eyes are piercing and reflective, holding fragments of the world within them, while the raven’s neck feathers puff slightly adding authority to the photograph. Subtle iridescence ripples through its plumage, hinting at depth beyond black, a reminder that nothing about this bird is simple or singular.
Day 3
The coldest morning of the trip brought temperatures below zero and a group of wolves playing in Lamar Valley at first light. Though distant, the images were still strong as the wolves moved in a line across the landscape. We later photographed moose in the willows and wrapped up the workshop with additional bison encounters.
A bull moose lifts his head from a thicket of willows glazed in morning frost, emerging like a quiet apparition from the winter landscape. The pale stems and crystalline leaves frame his dark face, creating a striking contrast between softness and strength. The early light of Lamar Valley settles gently over the scene, lending it an ethereal quality.
5-STAR Lamar Valley Winter Photography Workshop Reviews
This was my first workshop with Mike and I have to say it was a great experience. Even though I've been photographing pretty seriously for the past 10 years, I learned so much! He's a great teacher, and by the end of the workshop I had learned some new skills. Mike did his best to find wildlife, using his extensive knowledge of the park -- combined with the animal's behavior -- to put us in the best positions possible to photograph them. Besides walking away with some outstanding images, his workshop was great Fun and I will be sure to sign up for more workshops with Mike in the future. - Valerie L.
Yet another 5 star experience with Mike. Magnificent game runs each day - wolf, bison, coyote, bald eagle, swans - it was fantastic. Thank you! - Phyllis E.
Workshop 3: Winter Yellowstone (West Yellowstone)
January 13–15, 2026
Day 1
We entered the park before sunrise and immediately found bison moving through heavy fog that turned out to be an hour-long encounter, setting the tone for the trip. In Hayden Valley, trumpeter swans rested along the riverbank, followed by two coyotes trotting the shoreline as they hunted. We stayed with them for over an hour watching and photographing with delight. The day ended with swans in beautiful evening light.
Two bison stand side by side in a mist-laced meadow, their massive forms softened by a veil of frost. The cold air hangs around them as it blurs the edges of the landscape. Together they appear be grounded companions weathering the stillness of a frozen morning.
Day 2
A foggy morning created some of the best conditions I’ve ever seen at the bobby socks trees. The group spent about an hour working the landscape. We continued with bison in mist, a striking backlit geothermal feature, snow-covered scenes in the Old Faithful area, and a coyote hunting mice to close out the day.
A small group of bare trees stands quietly in the fog, their forms softened until edges nearly disappear. The landscape feels suspended as mist wraps around the scene. There is no urgency here, no drama, only sa quiet moment. The trees seem to exist in simple agreement with the winter air as they are unbothered by time.
Day 3
We returned to Biscuit Basin hoping for fog and found three frost-covered bull bison at close range. The group spent over an hour refining compositions. Reports of wolves in Hayden led us there next, where we instead encountered a fox and later a coyote that came very close and put on an excellent show.
A young adult bison stands alert against a snowy white backdrop, its dark form etched sharply beneath a veil of hoar frost. Crystals cling to its fur like armor, catching the light and emphasizing the contrast between warmth and cold. There is an energy in its posture that is watchful, aware, and ready. The bison is resilient and curious as it faces the open expanse around it.
5-Star Winter Photography Workshop Review From Yellowstone
"Mike is not only one of the best photographers I know but also an amazing photography instructor and guide. He is extremely enthusiastic, pointing out so many incredible photo scenes we likely would not notice, even as active outdoor and wildlife lovers and photographers. He knows, and shares with you, what makes a great photo, taking your photography to a completely different level. Mike has endless energy. Mike puts his all into his days with you. He encourages starting your day of the photography earlier than others and returning later as well. This allowed us to see and shoot so many magical photos, as most wildlife is more active early and late in the day, and the lighting for landscapes is better then as well. Having an extremely skilled photographer, who uses photography equipment himself daily, lead your workshop makes a real difference. My second camera body was stuck on video, and I forgot in the moment how to put that one into photo mode, Mike immediately rescued me, and I got the picture. Fantastic times are pretty much guaranteed." Mia M.
Workshop 4: Lamar Valley (Gardiner, MT)
January 17–19, 2026
Day 1
We entered Lamar Valley before sunrise. Low fog behind a pair of bison made for a strong opening. While otters didn’t reappear, we witnessed a massive herd of bison running at full speed across the east end of Lamar Valley that became an unforgettable scene. The day continued with ducks, backlit bighorn sheep, a bull elk emerging briefly from a ravine, and two young bull bison sparring in the final light.
A lone raven cuts cleanly across a field of white, its dark wings suspended against the snowbound backdrop of winter. Stripped of landscape and horizon, the image becomes a study of shape. The raven feels weightless as it glides though the silence. It is a brief interruption in the stillness of the season.
Day 2
Determined to find foxes and moose, we headed to prime habitat and spotted four moose in the distance. Though stopped by a creek, we were close enough for solid images. Later, we encountered a fox that eventually sat and posed. It was one of the best fox sightings I’ve had with a group. We also photographed Limpy, a well-known Yellowstone coyote, as he walked past us looking strong and healthy. The day ended with telephoto mountain landscapes near Gardiner.
A fox sits quietly in the snow, its warm russet coat glowing against the vast stillness of winter. The contrast is immediate and striking, life. With its body held calmly and its presence centered, the fox feels like a single spark resting within an endless field of white, alert yet composed, as though listening for the tiniest movement in the snow.
Day 3
Our final morning opened with frosty bison in Lamar Valley, including two young males sparring. After lunch, we photographed a bull bison backlit by sun and steam rising from his nostrils, followed by another cooperative bull and a final scene of bison glowing in golden light against the mountains.
Two bison stand close together in a quiet meadow, bathed in the warm, golden light of evening. As the day softens, their massive forms are gentled by the golden glow turning strength into something almost tender. The space between them feels intentional in a sort of unspoken companionship expressed through proximity and shared stillness. The scene carries a sense of ease, as if the land itself has settled into calm alongside them.
5-Star Lamar Valley Workshop Reviews
Had a great trip with Mike in Lamar Valley, we saw so many animals and had some great photo opportunities, highly recommend this trip with Mike! - Gary H.
Looking Ahead
Four workshops, countless miles, incredible conditions, and four fantastic groups of photographers. it was an unforgettable January in Yellowstone. These winter trips are always a highlight of my year, and I’m already looking forward to returning next winter.
Shapes of trees emerge quietly from the fog in a snow-covered Yellowstone landscape. The mist softens everything it touches, dissolving detail until only rhythm and repetition remain. The scene feels as if the land itself has arranged the moment: figures appearing, pausing, then advancing from nothingness into form.
If photographing Yellowstone in its most raw and atmospheric season is on your list, next year’s Winter Yellowstone and Lamar Valley workshops will be announced soon. Space is always limited, and these trips tend to fill quickly.
Contact me to be added to the pre-sale list. (Don't forget to mention Yellowstone in Winter and or Lamar Valley in winter in your message)
I hope to see you out there next winter.
