Fall Color in Yellowstone and Tetons

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At a Glance

Location

Wyoming, USA

Tuition

$12,995

Dates

September 19 – 26, 2028

Fitness Level

Moderate

Availability

Limited to 3 Guests

Collections

Signature Collection
US National Parks and Wilderness

Fall Color in Yellowstone and Tetons Photography Workshop

Name: Fall Color in Yellowstone and Tetons
Start: 2028-09-19
End: 2028-09-26
Location: Fall Color in Yellowstone and Tetons

Fall Color, Wildlife, and Geothermal Wonders in a Small Group of Three

September 19 – 26, 2028

Just three guests with one Pro for highly personalized instruction
Photograph wildlife and Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders
Capture fall color beneath the peaks of the Grand Tetons

In Yellowstone and Grand Teton, tectonic movements and volcanic eruptions have shaped the land. Geysers and hot springs steam in the cold morning air, travertine terraces glow at first light, and broad valleys open toward the jagged skyline of the Tetons. Early fall brings color to cottonwoods and aspens, mist over the rivers, and the sound of elk bugling across open meadows. It is a season of movement and change—the perfect time for photography.

With just three guests and one Muench Workshops Pro, this is one of our most intimate workshop experiences. The exceptionally small group gives Kathy time to work closely with each photographer in the field, adapting instruction to your experience, interests, and the images you want to make.

You will have the opportunity to photograph landscapes and wildlife. The landscape scenes are second to none as you visit the geothermal drama of Yellowstone with the classic mountain vistas of the Tetons. Expect quiet dawns in the Lamar and Hayden valleys, with reflective river scenes beneath granite peaks and opportunities to observe wildlife from safe, respectful distances. Bison, elk, pronghorn, moose, and fox are common, while bears and wolves are always possible.

You’ll have an immersive learning experience throughout, with targeted sessions on environmental wildlife portraits, long-lens landscapes, capturing movement, color composition, and more. We guide you toward clearer intent and stronger execution, providing guidance on composition, camera settings, and post-processing so your photography continues to improve long after you return home.

Our small group size means you’ll build a cohesive portfolio that includes geothermal abstracts, layered mountain scenes, and thoughtful wildlife images. Image reviews and targeted post-processing sessions help you translate field work into clean, high-impact photographs you’ll be proud to print.

Muench Workshops is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Your Pro

Kathy Lichtendahl

Itinerary

About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.

This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.

September 20, 2028: Sunrise at Mammoth Hot Springs, Journey to Grand Teton

Sunrise at Mammoth Hot Springs. After breakfast, we will drive south through Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park, with stops for thermal features, wildlife, and fall color. We’ll stay at the fabulous Jackson Lake Lodge for the next two nights.

September 21, 2028: Iconic Tetons Photography, Wildlife Search, Image Review

From sunrise through sunset, we’ll photograph some of the iconic views of the Tetons and search for bison, pronghorn, bear, and moose. We will also have an image review, evaluating composition and technique, plus post-processing instruction.

September 22, 2028: Sunrise at Snake River, Wildlife Scenes, Return to Yellowstone

Following sunrise at the Oxbow on the Snake River, we’ll concentrate on photographing wildlife and then head north, back to Yellowstone National Park. We will be lodging and dining at the historic Old Faithful Inn for the next two nights.

September 23, 2028: Bison at Sunrise, Geyser Basins Exploration, Night Sky Photography

At sunrise, we’ll be in place for photographing bison along the Firehole River, then look for elk on the Madison River. After breakfast, we’ll have some downtime to catch up on post-processing and have one of our signature image review sessions. We’ll work the Upper and Middle Geyser Basins from the afternoon through sunset to capture colorful thermal pools and fountaining geysers. We will go out to shoot the stars if the night skies are clear.

September 24, 2028: Yellowstone’s Eastern Wonders, Wildlife Photography in Hayden Valley

Today we head over to the east side of Yellowstone, photographing West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Hayden Valley. Of course, we hope to find impressive wildlife in the landscape and have a good chance of photographing elk, bears, coyotes, and tundra swans. After a long and productive day, we’ll head back to Gardiner and our rooms at Absaroka Lodge.

September 25, 2028: Discover Lamar Valley’s Wildlife, Scenic Landscapes, Image Review

We’ll rise early to spend the day in Lamar Valley, often referred to as “America’s Serengeti,” looking for wildlife and landscapes. Lamar Valley is 40 miles of meandering rivers and amazing meadows broken by stands of pines and cottonwoods and bounded by rolling mountains. This fantastic valley and the surrounding hills are home to large herds of bison as well as grizzly and black bears, several packs of wolves, and even a moose or two. We’ll finish the day with another image review and instruction session back in Gardiner.

September 26, 2028: Final Sunrise Shoot, Departure from Mammoth-Gardiner to Bozeman

On our last morning, we will photograph at sunrise in one of several locations in the Mammoth-Gardiner area. We’ll have another hearty breakfast before packing up, checking out, and driving back to Bozeman. We’ll aim to have you at the airport before noon.

Testimonials

Tamsyn C.

Yellowstone '26

Kathy was extremely knowledgeable about Yellowstone, the animals, and birds. We learned so much from her during the week that we never would have known if we'd gone without her!

Laura R.

Beartooth Mountain Ranch '25

Kathy was very knowledgeable of the general area and knew when/where to get the best shots.

Howard W.

Beartooth Mountain Ranch '25

Kathy was very accommodating, extremely knowledgeable, and quite helpful. She was able to answer every question about local geography, geology, history, culture, wildlife, and conservation.

Chris E.

Yellowstone '25

This workshop provided excellent opportunities to photograph both wildlife and landscapes, striking a good balance between the two. As expected, wildlife photography can be unpredictable, but Kathy’s deep knowledge of the park allowed her to make adjustments on the fly to help us locate wildlife.

Gallery

muench workshops photo, usa, gv18091670c, grand teton national park, landscape, mountains, lake, mountain range, snow patches, blue sky, white clouds, calm river, yellow and orange autumn trees, green forest, clear water reflection

muench workshops photo, usa, gv17091879, grand teton national park, wildlife, fall autumn, grizzly bear, brown fur, dry grass, open field, overcast light

muench workshops photo, usa, gv15091035, landscape, bison herd, yellow grass field, steam vents, forest covered hills, clear blue sky

muench workshops photo, gv17090560, landscape, mountains, fall autumn, snow covered mountain peaks, cloudy sky, wooden barn, wooden shed, fenced pasture, large trees, dry grassland

muench workshops photo, usa, gv15091004, yellowstone national park, sunset sunrise, landscape, steaming hot springs, wooden boardwalk, barren trees, mountain ridge, sunset sky, cloudy sky with orange and purple hues

muench workshops photo, usa, gv17091722, yellowstone national park, wildlife, american bison, grassland, blue sky, dry grass

muench workshops photo, usa, gv19091503, yellowstone national park, wildlife, young grizzly bear, walking, brown and gray fur, rocky ground, brush, grass, sparse vegetation

muench workshops photo, usa, gv15090733, yellowstone national park, landscape, waterfall, rock cliffs, evergreen trees, flowing water, fallen logs, green foliage, autumn leaves

muench workshops photo, usa, gv15090557, yellowstone national park, landscape, sunset sunrise, geyser, steam, smoke, rocky ground, trees, clear sky, sunlight shining through steam

muench workshops photo, gv15090839, landscape, cloudy sky, mountains, yellow autumn trees, open prairie, herd of bison

muench workshops photo, usa, gv17090659, yellowstone national park, wildlife, elk, male, antlers, grassland, tall dry grass, open field

muench workshops photo, usa, gv19090043, grand teton national park, landscape, fall autumn, autumn trees, colorful leaves, orange leaves, yellow leaves, green leaves, tree trunks, forest

muench workshops photo, usa, gv190901152, yellowstone national park, landscape, terraced travertine formation, steam rising, bare tree trunks, mountain range in background, sunset sky with orange and pink hues

muench workshops photo, wildlife, river, fall autumn, wyoming, two moose, male moose with antlers, female moose in water, tall grass, dense green foliage, small pond

muench workshops photo, gv15090854, landscape, fall autumn, yellow leaved trees, leafless trees, grassy meadow, forest in background, morning or afternoon light

Behind the Scenes

muench workshops photo, people, fall autumn, landscape, man in outdoor clothing, camera on tripod, steam rising from ground, wooden railing, mountain ridge in background, backpack on bench, thermal spring

muench workshops photo, people, landscape, sunset sunrise, fall autumn, hot springs, three people, wooden platform, camera tripod, thermal terraces, mist, trees, mountains, early morning light, cold weather clothing

muench workshops photo, landscape, people, fall autumn, waterfall, person wearing gray beanie and blue jacket, camera with zoom lens, waterfall in distance, rocky canyon walls, pine trees on canyon edges, cloudy sky with patches of blue

muench workshops photo, gv18105006, people, fall autumn, landscape, hot springs, three people wearing jackets, photographers, wooden railing, stepped terraces with water, bare trees, mountain range, morning light, clear sky, mist or steam above water

muench workshops photo, gv18105011, people, fall autumn, wildlife, lamar valley, person crouching, camera, blue cap, blue jeans, navy blue top, dry grass, shrubs, animal skeleton, animal skull with large horn, open field

muench workshops photo, gv18105095, landscape, people, fall autumn, thermal pools, hot springs, wooden boardwalk, steaming geothermal area, three people, one person photographing, dry small dead trees, heather covered hill

muench workshops photo, usa, grand tetons, landscape, four people with cameras on tripods, mountain range with snow covered peaks, river reflecting mountains, pine and deciduous trees, grassy riverbank, cloudy sky

muench workshops photo, usa, grand tetons, landscape, older man with gray beard, black beanie hat, black and blue jacket, holding camera with lens hood, stone railing, second person in blue jacket, photography tripod, pine trees, yellow autumn leaves, river winding through valley, snowy mountains, cloudy sky

muench workshops photo, usa, grand tetons, landscape, person with camera and tripod, calm lake reflecting sunset, mountain range, orange and yellow sunset clouds, shrubs and grasses

muench workshops photo, usa, grand tetons, landscape, man wearing hat and gloves, camera on tripod, river with reflection, mountain range, autumn trees, clear sky, sunset lighting

Fitness

Moderate: Be prepared for early starts and long days with multiple outings to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife. Expect walks up to two miles on uneven terrain, including geothermal areas and riverbanks. You’ll need to carry your camera gear, and there may be limited rest time between sessions. The workshop includes drives between locations, offering opportunities for rest.

Flights

Arrive at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Bozeman before 2:00 PM on September 19, 2028. Flights out can be made after 1:00 PM on September 26, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.

What to Bring

Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.

What’s Included

Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $1,500 supplement.
All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
All permits and park fees.
All transportation during the workshop.
Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
Photographic guiding and instruction from Kathy Lichtendahl.
Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!

Not Included

Travel to and from Bozeman, Montana.
Unscheduled airport transfers.
Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
Items of a personal nature.
Alcoholic beverages.
Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Single rooming is available for a $1,500 supplement.

Payment Terms

Your deposit of $4,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
Further payment of $4,000 is due by January 1, 2028.
The balance is due not later than May 1, 2028.
All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What photography techniques will I learn during this workshop?

You'll learn to capture environmental portraits of wildlife, work with long-lens landscapes, and master movement and color composition. The workshop also includes guidance on composition, camera settings, and post-processing to help you create high-impact photographs.

Is this workshop refundable?

Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you receive a full refund. Cancellations 150–91 days before the start date receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and cancellations 90–61 days before receive a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee and are issued by the original payment method.

What kind of wildlife can I expect to photograph?

You can expect to photograph bison, elk, pronghorn, moose, and foxes, with the possibility of encountering bears and wolves. The workshop is designed to maximize wildlife encounters while respecting the animals' natural behavior.

What is the group size for this workshop?

The group size is limited to three participants, ensuring a personalized and intimate experience with plenty of one-on-one instruction from the professional photographer.

What should I bring in terms of camera gear?

Bring a range of lenses, including wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes and telephoto lenses for wildlife. A sturdy tripod is essential for capturing long exposures and low-light scenes. Don't forget extra batteries and memory cards for the long days of shooting.

How physically demanding is this workshop?

The workshop requires a moderate fitness level. Be prepared for early starts and long days, with walks up to two miles on uneven terrain, including geothermal areas and riverbanks. You'll need to carry your camera gear, but there will be opportunities to rest during drives between locations.

Do I need travel insurance for this workshop?

While travel insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances. Consider coverage for travel medical and trip cancellation insurance to ensure peace of mind during your travels.