Fall Colors and Landscapes Tour
in Grand Teton Wyoming
Sept 30 to Oct 3rd, 2021 - (SOLD OUT)
Oct 5-8,2021 - Only $775 - (email me about space)
Optional pre and post day extensions
Tour is limited to 8 participants max.
Contact RADykstra.photo@gmail.com or 858-485-8199
to reserve your place on the tour.
*Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service
Come join us for this wonderful opportunity to photography some of the country's most iconic landscapes in their prime fall colors. You will encounter 2 of the top 3 voted best landscape scenes in America. Not to mention several other wonderful locations such as the Ansel Adams made famous Snake river location. In addition, there will be ample opportunities to encounter wildlife such as moose, bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, elk, coyotes, and if we are lucky black and grizzly bears. BTW, the sunrises and sunsets are amazing!
See my blog for photos from last year's trip.
All of this for the RIDICULOUSLY LOW price of $775 which is hundreds even a thousand dollars under other similar guided trips.
* Some photos provided by California Wolf Center
This trip is open to all levels of photographers and fitness levels. Most of the sites do not require more than a short walk to be in prime position (100 yards) but we may also be asked by rangers to move as needed to provide ample room for the animals. Prior to the trip, I'll conduct an ONLINE ZOOM meeting, where you will receive information on logistics and more importantly I'll go over techniques and skills covering how to photograph landscapes and wildlife, and set up your camera for the best success. I'll cover all you need to know, but we will also take time to discuss your questions. Those wanting more education need only to ask at anytime while we are onsite. I will be there to provide any guidance requested but will not overly inundate you with class work or photography techniques if not requested. The rest of the time I'll be guiding you to the most scenic and photogenic sites in the area. We are there to photograph and will spend as much time as possible behind the camera. But feel free to ask for personal support. Then I provide a private Facebook page to share our photos and images.
We will meet on the first evening of each session in the hotel dining area and coordinate events and discuss the information as needed. From there on we will be on site and photographing.
I have reserved up to 8 nice, clean, and safe hotel rooms located in downtown Jackson Hole Wyoming. (only one block from the Town Square) There is a mixture of doubles and singles. Cost will be significantly lower than typical prices, (double digits) (I can't advertise it, just ask) in a city where rooms are routinely fully booked months in advance. (and Motel 6 can be over $200/night)
(*Once the rooms are fully booked I'll stop accepting new participants. )
Itinerary:
Week prior: I'll set up a Zoom Meeting to go over logistics and provide photography instruction to give you the best chance to come home with wall-hanging images.
Day 1 Transportation to Jackson Hole Wyoming. Meet at 7:00pm to get local information and any questions.
Day 2-3 Meet prior to sunrise. Due top COVID no breakfast is currently available but that might change. Exact time will be determined by weather and best location availability. We will be traveling and photographing all day with a mid0day break and then continue, perhaps past sunset if the conditions are favorable. Exact locations each day will be flexible but rest assured:
- We will be visiting all the well known sites plus some few know about.
- We'll be on the lookout for wildlife and can make detours and stops based on sightings.
- We will make a lunch stop and will adjust mid-day break time {3-4 hours) duration to current conditions. One day we may decide on a more luxurious lunch at one of the local lodges. (not guaranteed)
Day 4 More of the same, however we will be coming back to town at lunch time to give participants the opportunity to make afternoon / evening outbound flights if wanted.
For those who chose to purchase the day 5 extension we'll go out for an afternoon/sunset session.
Optional days.
Day 0 optional: I'll be in Jackson Hole the day prior and will be out scouting the area prior to the main trip. This day will primarily be looking for animals. If you would like to get some extra photographing time in, you can join me for an extra day of shooting at an additional $225 fee, Meet in the afternoon/evening of day prior to the session dates and photograph during the entire "arrival" day.
Optional extension days require a minimum of 2 participants in order for them to be conducted
Additionally
Day 5
This will be one last day for those who would like to extend their experience. We will add a late afternoon/eve session on Day 4 and then the next morning we'll be at it again early the next morning and we'll be out until after lunch. This extension also has a $225 fee, however if you chose to do both, I'll reduce the fee to $400 for both pre and post days.
I’ve made accommodations due to the COVID crisis, and we will be conducting the classrooms via Zoom meeting. In addition, I’ve have purchased 8 walkie talkies that allow us to communicate while driving. Instead of piling into a van together you can drive your own vehicle or rental, or join a like-minded participant to carpool. While photographing we will be isolating at a minimum of 6 feet or will be wearing a mask.
Recommended equipment:
- DSLR or mirrorless removable lens camera
- Wide Angle lens in the 15 to 28mm range
- Telephoto lens min 300mm or longer (>=500mm is better)
- Tripod or monopod. Especially for landscape sessions.
- All batteries, chargers, memory cards and accessories as needed.
Tour Excludes:
- Ground transportation, lodging, food and personal items and any parking fees. (if applicable) (travel insurance is recommended)
- Optional Hotel package will be available with Group rates. Call to find out REDUCED rate!
- National Park entry fee ($35 for the week - paid first day of entry)
(unless you have an annual "America the Beautiful" pass)
- Gratuities (industry standards are ~15% of total trip price or $25 per day)
Directions, hotel information and additional materials will be provided after sign up
- Your are responsible for any personal accidents or incidents during event and/or transportation/carpool to and from sites.
Pre-tour material instruction and Q&A Includes:
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Camera modes, exposure settings, and autofocus options.
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Understanding “Creative” settings, depth of field, Hyperfocal distance
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Discussion of compositional elements, techniques and concerns
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Wildlife shooting issues, timing, behaviors
In addition, Randy will be available to answer questions share tips, tricks and suggestions as applicable or on request. He will be available to assist, support and answer any questions and can help you by reviewing specific photos if requested.
Costs: Ridiculously low Price of $775
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Only 8 hotel rooms are available.
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Optional pre and post days $225 per day, or $400 for both.
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$300 deposit (non-refundable) to reserve Spot (PayPal fee =$258 total)
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Balance due 60 days prior to beginning of the tour.
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Workshop materials and any presentation is included in the tour price and represents no additional monetary value.
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Not Included:all transportation, food, lodging costs, National Park fees, gratuities
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Note: Due to COVID, you need to provide your own transportation, or arrange for sharing with another like minded participant
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Please note: PayPal charges an additional fee for foreign transactions. If you are paying with anything other than US dollars please contact Randy prior to payment and he will invoice you the proper amount.
Contact me to sign up for this trip.
Send Deposit Now!
Pay Balance Due Aug 1st
Pay 1 day Extension
due Aug 15th
We only accept Zelle, PAYPAL(plus fee) or check/cash.
Pay 2 day Extension
due Aug 15th
We only accept Zelle, PAYPAL(3% fee+ $.50 foreign transaction fee 1.5%) or check/cash.
Foreign transactions:
Paypal charges extra to convert foreign currencies to US dollars. If you are paying with anything other than US dollars please contact Randy prior to payment and he will invoice you the proper amount.
Refund Policy: Reservation deposit is Non-Refundable. 100% refund of remaining balance (minus any credit card charges) is available up to 60 days prior to event. 50% of balance is available up to 30 days prior Within 30 days no refund is available. You can sell your spot to another person up to 1 week prior. RADykstra Photography ( here-forth RAD) reserves the right to cancel any event or activity due to insufficient registration or any unforeseen circumstances. RAD will offer refunds for our cost only (including non-refundable deposit - $20) if RAD has to cancel the event. No other costs such as transportation or other reservations are covered. RAD recommends travel insurance. World Nomads or Allianz are two good sources. Note: no refunds for bad weather, we do all we can to get as much photography as possible given the weather conditions, but we will not place anyone in harms way by going outdoors in harsh weather as determined by the guide.