AUTUMN IN THE TETONS
OCTOBER 1-4, 2026, OCTOBER 7-11, 2026, & OCTOBER 14-18, 2026
At the base of the freshly snow-capped peaks of the Teton range, surrounded by vibrant gold and orange foliage, a monstrous bull elk emerges from the fog, the eerie sound of his bulge piercing the crisp mountain air. A few miles away, bull moose stir, subtly displaying signs of dominance to one another as they work their way through a creek bed in pursuit of a mate. Meanwhile, a family of grizzly bears gorges on berries, while otters cruise the Snake River, and great grey owl fledglings hunt for the first time. This is what it’s like to be in the Tetons in autumn, and this is what this workshop is all about!
As Jackson Hole undergoes a season of rapid change, inevitability hurtling towards another long, bitter winter, the wildlife of the valley is doing everything possible to prepare while they can. This results in many species being active and visible all day - their survival depends upon it - which means photo opportunities will be plentiful. We could see and photograph moose, elk, bison, pronghorn, black bear, grizzly bear, bald eagle, great grey owl, river otter, beaver, and much more. The elk, moose, and pronghorn ruts will be in full swing, making this the very best time of year to photograph each of these species.
In addition to the wildlife, it would be a disservice to not mention the landscapes of Jackson Hole in autumn. The aspens and cottonwoods will be popping with shades of gold and amber, adding warmth to our photographic scenes. In contrast, the Tetons are likely to be capped in the first snowfall of the season, creating cool, blue tones for our image backgrounds. These are the quintessential Rocky Mountain landscapes scenes, and there is truly nothing else like them on earth.
By the end of this workshop, you will have a colorful portfolio of images documenting the dramatic and powerful show that plays out in Grand Teton National Park in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer are incredible in the valley, but in my opinion, autumn is the season to be there.
Quick Details
Dates
Session 1: October 1-4, 2026
Session 2: October 7-11, 2026
Session 3: October 14-18, 2026
Cost
Session 1: $3,249 USD
Sessions 2 & 3: $3,879 USD
Prices are for double occupancy, inquire with Focus Photo Tours for single occupancy
Service & credit/debit card fees may apply
Group Size
5-6 participants (5 minimum for the trip to run)
What’s included:
All lodging for the duration of the workshop once you get to Jackson, WY
Transportation for the duration of the workshop
All photography instruction
Park passes
What’s not included:
Airfare to and from Jackson, WY
Meals
Basic Itinerary
Session 1: October 1-4, 2026
Day 1: Your adventure will begin at Jackson Hole Airport, where I will be picking you up for transfer to a hotel just to the south in Jackson, WY. We will enjoy a group dinner and Welcome Orientation this evening, and if time permits, may even make a short trip into the park.
Days 2 & 3: We will depart Jackson before sunrise and go into Grand Teton for a full day of wildlife and landscape photography. Opportunities will be plentiful, and if the weather is right, the light will be dynamic and beautiful all day, so expect these field days to be long, but very rewarding. After sunset, we will return to Jackson for a sit-down group dinner.
Day 4: After a final morning photography session, we will have a group breakfast in Jackson before going back to the airport for drop-off, leaving with memory cards full of rutting elk and moose, bears, birds, bison, and golden autumn mountainscapes.
*Guests should plan to bring their own breakfasts/lunches for in the field. We will be photographing during all daylight hours. A grocery store in Jackson is available for supplies on Day 1.*
Sessions 2 & 3: October 7-11, 2026 & October 14-18, 2026
Day 1: Your adventure will begin at Jackson Hole Airport, where I will be picking you up for transfer to a hotel just to the south in Jackson, WY. We will enjoy a group dinner and Welcome Orientation this evening, and if time permits, may even make a short trip into the park.
Days 2-4: We will depart Jackson before sunrise and go into Grand Teton for a full day of wildlife and landscape photography. Opportunities will be plentiful, and if the weather is right, the light will be dynamic and beautiful all day, so expect these field days to be long, but very rewarding. After sunset, we will return to Jackson for a sit-down group dinner.
Day 5: After a final morning photography session, we will have a group breakfast in Jackson before going back to the airport for drop-off, leaving with memory cards full of rutting elk and moose, bears, birds, bison, and golden autumn mountainscapes.
*Guests should plan to bring their own breakfasts/lunches for in the field. We will be photographing during all daylight hours. A grocery store in Jackson is available for supplies on Day 1.*
These tours are being organized and hosted by Focus Photo Tours and instructed and led by me. For more information, to see booking and cancellation policies, or to reserve your spot on one of these adventures, click the Book Now button below to be take to the official trip webpage.