Out of Grand Teton
Landscape and Wildlife Photography Conference
June 16-20, 2024
Image by Kristen Ryan
Experience and photograph the rugged mountain beauty of Grand Teton National Park while learning and photographing alongside some of our favorite landscape and wildlife photographers.
Grand Teton National Park showcases one of the most impressive and iconic mountain landscapes in the Western United States. The park features wildflower-adorned mountain meadows and clear alpine lakes framed by the Teton Range's grandeur. It is a haven for nature photographers featuring unparalleled chances to capture the essence of its landscapes and wildlife.
Located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, the exquisite and historic Jackson Lake Lodge will serve as the conference and lodging headquarters. Prepare to be awe-struck as you step outside the hotel to find yourself surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Grand Teton range. You'll head out on field excursions with opportunities to photograph landscapes, small scenes, wildflowers and wildlife. With its dramatic interplay of weather throughout the mountainous landscape, the new blooms of wildflowers and wildlife emerging from winter, June provides the perfect backdrop and weather for capturing captivating photographs.
INSTRUCTORS
"This was such a GREAT learning opportunity. I got to try new photography styles in a hands on manner. OCC ALWAYS has the BEST instructors."
– -Mary Dreckman
Jennifer Renwick
Matt Suess
Kristen Ryan
Michael Frye
Nick Page
David Akoubian
Anne Belmont
David Kingham
Charlotte Gibb
John Weatherby
Jennifer King
Mark Denney
Joseph Rossbach
Chrissy Donadi
Eric Bennett
Highlights
Prepare to photograph alongside our accomplished photography instructors as they take you to discover and photograph the enchantment of Grand Teton’s landscapes. From wildlife to grand landscapes to blooming wildflowers, our instructors will help you capture the essence of these subjects. You will be positioned in prime locations to photograph optimal conditions while capturing the grand landscapes.
Our approach for this conference will maximize the photography opportunities each day, dedicating ample time to field photography, followed by enriching sessions at the lodge for image review and fostering connections among attendees and instructors.
THINGS YOU WILL LEARN:
- Camera settings for photographing landscapes and wildlife, including exposure bracketing, focus bracketing, long exposure wave motion and wide-angle lens composition
- Use of various focal length lenses to capture different effects, from wide-angle landscapes to telephoto scenes
- Effective use of polarizers and neutral density filters
- Managing motion, including varying shutter speeds and utilizing your ISO
- Strategies to capture tack-sharp images every time
- Finding your composition in grand landscapes and intimate scenes
- Post-processing techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop, including luminosity masks, smart object techniques, exposure blending, and focus blending.
- Finding inspiration in abstracts and small scenes
- Slowing down and going beyond the iconic shot
- Refining vision and style in your photographs
- Hands-on, in-the-field instruction and image reviews
- Workflow from capture to print
- And much more
"One of the best experiences of my photography journey so far. I am so glad I did this workshop and got to learn a lot from all the instructors and attendees who also seem to be really good photographers themselves. The whole experience was sort of meditative for me and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who wants to take their nature photography to the next level."
– -Abbas Amir
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
The Out of Grand Teton Conference includes two online sessions (one before and one after the conference), extensive photography time in Grand Teton National Park, group conference sessions, and informal time with the team of instructors and other attendees. Out of Chicago events are designed to provide a fun, encouraging, and immersive environment in which you can explore your creativity, experiment with new ideas, build your technical skills, create a portfolio of photographs you love, and build your photographic community.
Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 PM at Jackson Lake Lodge
Conference Registration starts at 5:00 PM with a meet-and-greet reception
Welcome by Chris Smith, founder of Out of Chicago
Opening Presentation
Group dinner
Day 2, 3, 4
Morning field session
Group brunch at Jackson Lake Lodge
Dinner on your own or with your group
Morning field session
Breakfast at Jackson Lake Lodge
Check out of the hotel (11 AM)
Post-Conference Session:
Online image celebration session (Tuesday, July 9, 12:00 pm CT)*
*Both the pre-conference and post-conference online sessions will be recorded and available to any registered attendee who is not able to attend the live presentation.
Location and Accommodation
Grand Teton National Park/Jackson Lake Lodge
Jackson Lake Lodge is an exclusive and perfect location to base our field excursions and photography adventures. The picturesque and peaceful setting of the lodge allows an escape from the busy town of Jackson Hole, where you can immerse yourself and retreat in nature to focus on your photography. Following a day filled with photography and learning, unwind within the storied walls of this historic lodge, where a serene ambiance awaits, accompanied by uninterrupted vistas of the majestic Teton Range. Watch for moose on Willow Flats, all viewed through the lodge's grand 60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Indulge in a range of dining experiences, from relaxed and casual to refined and elegant, as you ease into the evening. Then, retreat to your luxurious and comfortable accommodations, perfectly capping your day. The Jackson Hole Airport is the closest airport to Jackson Lake Lodge and is only a 40-minute drive.
"A fully immersive photography experience. An inspiring and motivating experience leaving you gratified at the end of four fulsome days."
– -Christopher Beasley
Conference Price
$5500
Reserve your spot with a deposit of $2,000. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the event. This event is limited to 100 attendees.
Lodging near the Tetons is extremely expensive anywhere you go. Even the lowest priced hotels can be nearly $500 a night. The lodging cost and catering make up the majority of the conference price, but Jackson Lake Lodge is the perfect location a the ideal time of year to photograph the Tetons, wildflowers and the wildlife.
- 4 nights of single-accommodation hotel room at the historic Jackson Lake Lodge
- Opening reception and dinner, 3 group brunches, and closing group breakfast.
- Daily hands-on instruction during immersive, extended field sessions from fourteen instructors
- Online presentations from each instructor before the conference, along with other interactive conference sessions including the full instructor team
- A comprehensive online orientation to help you prepare for your time at the conference and an online image celebration with instructors after the conference concludes
- A private online community to connect with other conference attendees and share photos from the event
What is not included?
- Airfare
- Transportation to Jackson Lake Lodge and conference field sessions. Carpooling will be required and coordinated pre-conference through our private online community.
- National Park Service Pass
- Most dinners are on your own or with members of your group. Jackson Lake Lodge has three restaurants ranging from grab-and-go casual to fine dining.
"The Out of Chicago Conferences are well organized with great instructors. Be well-rested prior to the conferences. There is a reason they sell out so quickly."
– -Donald Havre
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to arrive for the conference and when will the conference end?
Plan to arrive for hotel check-in at 4 PM MT on Sunday, June 16th. The conference will conclude before hotel check-out at 11am PT on Thursday, June 20th.
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
Attendees will be responsible for getting themselves to Jackson Lake Lodge.
You can fly direct to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) which is only 40 minutes from the Lodge or Bozeman (BZN), which is a four hour drive.
Attendees can coordinate carpooling with other attendees before the conference begins through our private online community.
How do I book my accommodations?
Your single-accommodation rooming is included in your conference registration. This will be handled for you.
What should I expect after I register?
After registering, you will get an email with details about the conference including key dates, hotel information, and more. Be sure to stay connected via email to receive crucial event communication including surveys about your preferences and updates as needed.
How are we getting to and from the field sessions?
Attendees will be responsible for getting to and from the field sessions. Carpooling is required to reach locations that have limited parking available.
Do I need a park pass?
Yes. Anyone driving into Grand Teton National Park will need a National Park Service Pass, including to get to Jackson Lake Lodge which is inside the park.
What fitness level is required for this conference?
This conference will include walking to access photography locations, carrying your gear, and being on your feet for extended periods. Most photography locations are accessible on paved paths with a short walk.
You will be grouped with attendees of similar hiking ability.
What will the weather be like in the Tetons in June? What if the weather is challenging (raining, etc)?
June is spring in the Tetons. Daytime temperatures will likely be in the 70s with nighttime lows in the 40s.
It’s always a good idea to pack some layers and rain gear, just in case.
Many field sessions will still go out to photograph in the rain, and proper rain gear will be discussed during the pre-conference online orientation.
Who is this event for?
Photography enthusiasts and pros. All levels of passionate photographers are welcome. Just be ready to eat, sleep and drink landscape and wildlife photography for five days.
What photography equipment do I need to participate?
You’ll want a DSLR or mirrorless camera and a tripod. We’ll share a detailed recommended gear list before the event. A laptop is suggested so you can work on your images during the post-processing and critique sessions.
Will I be sitting in classes all day?
No, the most important part of this conference is the ample time you will have working with instructors in the field twice a day.
How will I get my individual conference schedule?
Your schedule will be available in the weeks leading up to the conference. You will be assigned to a group that you will stay with all week for the field excursions, and your group will rotate through each team of instructors. Additionally, all of our midday sessions give you the opportunity to pick and choose exactly the topics you want to learn about.
Can I bring a non-photographer friend or family member with me?
Of course! A guest ticket will be available for an additional charge. The cost includes the welcome reception and dinner, 3 brunches and closing breakfast. A non-attendee guest is welcome to join us for the group presentations, however, the field session excursions are reserved for conference attendees only.
What is the refund policy?
You can read the refund policy here.
How do I confirm I am registered for the event?
You can view all of the events you’re registered for by logging into your Out of Chicago account. In the upper right corner of the website, go to “my account” and “my conferences”. You should see your conference listed there. If it is not, please email us at support@outofchicago.com.
Other questions?
If you have any other questions, you can email support@outofchicago.com for more information.
