Yellowstone Fall Photo Workshop
Oct 8-13, 2027 - Coming Soon
Yellowstone in October sits on the edge of two seasons. Crisp mornings send steam curling through colorful thermal basins, fall lingers in the valleys, and fresh snow can transform the landscape overnight. On this 6-day, landscape-focused workshop, our small group of just five guests will photograph Yellowstone’s signature landscapes—from hot springs and geysers to deep canyons, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes—while keeping our eyes open for wildlife along the way. We’ll stay flexible each day to chase the best combination of light, weather, steam, color, and wildlife.
Tuition
- Coming Soon
- All-Inclusive
Max Group Size
- Max 5 Students
Instructor(s)
- A.J. Rich
Highlights
- Photograph Yellowstone’s hot springs, geysers, waterfalls, canyons, and sweeping fall landscapes.
- Capture dramatic steam, frost, fall color, and the possibility of fresh snow.
- Photograph the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its waterfalls.
- Watch and listen for rutting elk bugling in the crisp morning air.
- Look for bison, bears, wolves, and other wildlife as opportunities arise.
- Explore Yellowstone’s major geyser basins and thermal areas.
- Stay flexible to chase the best light, weather, and conditions each day.
- Small group of just 5 students for plenty of individual attention.

Itinerary
Our itinerary will remain flexible throughout the workshop. October weather in Yellowstone can change quickly, and temporary road or trail closures are always possible. We'll adjust our schedule based on light, weather, thermal activity, wildlife sightings, and road conditions to put the group in the best photographic situations each day.
Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation
Arrive in West Yellowstone and get settled into our lodging. That evening we'll meet for our mandatory orientation, get acquainted, discuss camera gear and settings, and go over our plans for the days ahead.
Day 2 – Grand Canyon & Northern Yellowstone
We'll begin before sunrise and head toward the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, photographing the canyon and its spectacular waterfalls as morning light reaches the landscape. Depending on trail conditions, we'll work from several overlooks and may descend toward the brink of Lower Falls.
From there, we'll continue through Yellowstone's interior, keeping watch for wildlife in Hayden Valley and photographing along the way. Weather permitting, we'll explore portions of the northern park, with opportunities around the high country, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs before returning to West Yellowstone.
Day 3 – Thermal Basins & Yellowstone Lake
We'll start among Yellowstone's colorful thermal features, where cold morning air can create wonderfully atmospheric conditions around the steaming pools.
We'll continue toward Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb, photographing a completely different combination of water, thermal features, forests, and distant mountain scenery. After a midday break back in West Yellowstone, we'll return to the park for an afternoon of wildlife scouting and landscape photography along the Firehole River and surrounding geyser basins.
Day 4 – Upper & Midway Geyser Basins
We'll spend the morning exploring the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful and an extraordinary concentration of geysers and hot springs. The extensive boardwalk system gives us countless opportunities for both grand landscapes and more intimate compositions.
After a midday break, we'll return to the thermal areas for more photography and wildlife opportunities before working around Grand Prismatic Spring, the Firehole River, and surrounding landscapes into the evening.
Day 5 – Norris, Waterfalls & the Firehole
We'll begin around Norris Geyser Basin, one of Yellowstone's most dynamic thermal areas. Cool fall conditions can make the park's steam vents particularly dramatic.
We'll photograph additional waterfalls and landscapes as conditions dictate, then take a midday break for rest and post-processing instruction. Our final evening session will bring us back into one of Yellowstone's geyser basins, giving us another chance to work with steam, water, fading light, and erupting geysers.
Day 6 – Final Sunrise
We'll return to one of our favorite thermal areas for a final sunrise session, choosing our location based on weather and the images we've captured during the week. The workshop will conclude no later than 11AM in West Yellowstone.


Lodging
We’ve reserved nearly the entire Adventure Inn Yellowstone, giving our small group a comfortable and intimate home base in West Yellowstone for all five nights of the workshop.
This boutique inn features spacious rooms with rustic Montana styling and modern conveniences. Depending on room assignment, accommodations include king or queen beds along with amenities such as a mini fridge/freezer, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, Wi-Fi, and private bathroom.
After cold mornings and full days in the park, it will be especially nice having a comfortable property almost entirely to ourselves.

Logistics
Plan to arrive in West Yellowstone by approximately 5PM on October 8 so you’ll have time to check in and eat dinner before our evening orientation.
Guests are responsible for transportation to and from West Yellowstone. Bozeman and Idaho Falls are both good regional airport options, while seasonal air service to West Yellowstone may also be available.
Once the workshop begins, transportation to our photography locations will be provided.
October is a transitional month in Yellowstone. Expect cold mornings, freezing temperatures overnight, and the possibility of rain or snow. Weather can change quickly, so warm layers, waterproof outerwear, gloves, and winter-ready footwear are essential. See the gear list further down.
Some park facilities and dining options begin closing for the season by October, so we’ll discuss available meal options and daily plans during our pre-workshop Zoom.
We’ll schedule a Zoom meeting several months before departure to review logistics, recommended clothing and camera gear, answer questions, and help everyone prepare for the variable fall conditions.


Your Workshop Experience
Physical Activity & Terrain
This workshop is rated Active. Expect 3–5 miles of walking on full photography days, mostly on maintained trails, paved paths, and boardwalks. Most walking is broken into shorter segments throughout the day at a relaxed photography-focused pace. The Brink of Lower Falls is a notable exception, with a short but steep climb back out.
Elevation
Most of Yellowstone sits above 6,000 feet, so walking may feel more strenuous than the same distances at lower elevations. We’ll keep a comfortable pace and spread the day’s mileage across multiple photography stops.
Daily Schedule & Weather
Expect early departures for sunrise and evening photography through sunset. Some days will involve longer park loops, while others may include substantial midday breaks for rest, meals, downloading images, and instruction. October conditions can range from crisp fall weather and frost to rain or early snow, so we’ll stay flexible and adjust locations as needed.
Wildlife Opportunities
This is primarily a landscape workshop, but we’ll always be watching for rutting elk, bison, bears, wolves, and other wildlife. Early mornings may include the sound of bugling elk across the valleys. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but we’ll take advantage of good opportunities when they arise.




Pricing - 6 Days
Coming Soon
Trip Includes:
- 6-day Yellowstone photography workshop.
- Maximum of 5 guests with 1 professional photography instructor.
- Ground transportation during the workshop.
- Professional photography instruction throughout the trip.
- Post-processing and image critique sessions.
- Yellowstone National Park entrance fees and permits associated with workshop activities.
- Pre-workshop Zoom meeting.
- Five nights of lodging in West Yellowstone. Single rooms available for an additional XXX.
Trip Does NOT Include:
- Transportation from your home to and from West Yellowstone.
- Meals, beverages, and snacks.
- Instructor gratuities.
- Travel, medical, or evacuation insurance.
The Fine Print:
- 50% deposit required to hold your spot.
- Remaining balance is due June 8, 2027
- If you need to cancel, a full refund less a $300 cancellation fee will be given once your spot is filled by another participant.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended for this workshop.
- Loyalty discount is not offered due to 3rd Party Collaborations.


Recommended Camera Gear
- Mirrorless or DSLR camera body.
- Wide-angle lens in approximately the 14–35mm range.
- Mid-range zoom such as a 24–70mm or 24–105mm.
- Telephoto zoom such as a 70–200mm.
- 100–500mm, 200–600mm, or similar wildlife lens if you own one.
- Sturdy tripod and ballhead.
- Circular polarizer.
- Extra batteries.
- Extra memory cards.
- Lens cloths and cleaning supplies.
- Rain protection for your camera and backpack.
- Laptop if you’d like to back up or process images during the workshop.
Personal Gear List
- Warm layered clothing.
- Waterproof rain jacket.
- Warm hat and gloves.
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Headlamp
- Refillable water bottleHiking poles if desired.
Action Photo Tours is an authorized permittee of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park.

A.J. Rich
Photography Instructor
A.J. Rich is a southern Utah native with more than 25 years of experience as a photographer, senior graphic designer, and art director. His background gives him a powerful eye for composition, balance, light, and visual storytelling. His photography has been recognized by the International Aerial Photographer of the Year and the Epson International Pano Awards. His commercial work has also appeared in national publications, including Parents Magazine, Runner’s World, and Harvard Business Review.
A.J. earned a degree in graphic design with a minor in photography. His work has evolved from commercial photography and portraiture to landscape and aerial photography, where he finds his greatest challenge and fulfillment.
Whether exploring the remote deserts of the Colorado Plateau or hiking into alpine landscapes before sunrise, A.J. is continually searching for fresh perspectives and extraordinary light. In the field, he helps photographers slow down, look beyond the obvious, and make stronger visual decisions before pressing the shutter.
While A.J. enjoys teaching advanced techniques such as focus stacking, panoramas, and exposure blending, his greatest passion is helping photographers truly see the landscape. For him, the best photographs aren’t simply found; they are anticipated through patience, observation, and a deep understanding of light, atmosphere, and composition.
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