Quick Details
This workshop will we will focus on:
- Ethical portrait and up-close photographs
- Behavioral displays of the rut
- Back-lit scenarios
- Sparring bulls
- Male and female pairings
- Wallowing and/or dusting
- Animal-scapes
- Small in the frame shots
- Opportunistic sightings such as bear, wolves, birds of prey, etc.
Goals of this workshop:
- Gain a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the American Plains bison
- Develop best ethical practices for photographing wildlife with minimal impact
- Build a photographic portfolio of the American bison rut
- Learn to understand the signs of animal behavior
- Increase your familiarity with the technical side of your camera and how to use it to your advantage
- Expand your knowledge of photography rules and when they are meant to be broken
per person
Double Occupancy
per person
$ 2400
Single Occupancy
$ 2700
Bison Rut Workshop with Photographer Kyle Moon
Learn more about Kyle in drop down menu below
8/11/2025 – 8/14/2025 | Kyle Moon
Experience the thrill of Yellowstone’s iconic wildlife through your lens in our multi-day Bison Rut Photography Workshop! Join Yellowstone Wild Photographer/Naturalist Guide Kyle Moon for an immersive experience dedicated to capturing the power, intensity, and grace of North America’s largest land mammals—Yellowstone’s bison.
In the late 1800s, as Yellowstone National Park was being established as the world’s first national park, fewer than 24 bison roamed its expansive valleys. Today, the park is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming bison on public lands, boasting over 4,500 individuals. Witness the raw power of these incredible creatures as they clash during the bison rut—a spectacle of dominance, strength, and survival.
This workshop is designed to bring you as close as safely—and ethically—possible to this awe-inspiring event. Imagine standing at a respectful distance, your camera poised, as two 2,000-pound bulls spar head-to-head to prove their dominance. With Kyle’s expert guidance, you’ll capture these unforgettable moments while deepening your understanding of bison behavior and their vital role in Yellowstone’s ecosystem.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there! While the bison rut is the primary focus, this workshop also offers opportunities to photograph Yellowstone’s diverse wildlife, including bears, wolves, coyotes, elk, birds of prey, waterfowl, and more. From the dramatic, geothermal landscapes of the Yellowstone Caldera to the wildlife-rich Northern Range, each day is an opportunity to expand your photographic portfolio with varied and dynamic compositions.
Workshop Highlights:
- Northern Range: Spend a day exploring the vast Lamar Valley and surrounding areas—home to the park’s largest bison herds. Our comfortable, spacious vehicles make it easy to access prime wildlife viewing areas and transport your gear.
- Interior Experience: Venture into Hayden Valley, a picturesque setting where geothermal features create surreal, steamy backdrops for wildlife photography. Capture bison amid misty geysers, and seize potential opportunities to photograph wolves, grizzlies, and more.
Photography Focus: This workshop emphasizes capturing bison, and other visible wildlife, in an ethical and respectful manner, as the bison move towards the conclusion of their annual mid-summer breeding season or “rut”. You may be privy to various scenarios playing out in real time including: sparring bulls, behavioral displays, backlit compositions, and artistic animal-scapes. Kyle will also embrace opportunistic sightings of other species, ensuring a diverse and rewarding experience.
Workshops include the following:
- Expert instruction from local, resident professional photographer Kyle Moon
- Small groups (6 max) with extensive one-on-one coaching
- Optics for everyone (spotting scopes/binoculars) with the option of digiscoping adapters for high-quality smartphone captures
- Transportation to and from Bozeman, MT, to Gardiner, MT
- (1) Night lodging in Bozeman, MT
- Free airport shuttle to Bozeman accommodations
- (2) nights lodging in Gardner, MT
- Park Entrance Fees
- Some meals (see dropdown menu below for details)
NOT included in workshop:
- Flights to Bozeman
- Some meals
- Instructor gratuity
- Camera equipment (rentals available in Bozeman, MT – see drop down menu below for details)
Please note there is a 3-person minimum required to run this package. If the minimum is not met within 31 days of the start date, registered participants will receive a full refund of the package price excluding travel-related expenses (e.g., airfare to Bozeman, lodging, and meals not included in the package, etc.).
See dropdown menus below for itinerary, inclusions, and instructor details:
What's included, what to bring, and other FAQ's
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Included in workshop:
- Local, professional photographer/naturalist Kyle Moon
- (3) six to ten hour sessions exploring Yellowstone’s famed Northern Range (including Lamar Valley) and Hayden Valley in search of rutting bison, predators, birds, and other Yellowstone wildlife
- Hands-on learning and discussion with your instructor
- Plenty of space for your camera gear, tripods, and backpacks
- Round-trip transportation from Bozeman, MT, to Gardiner, MT
- (1) night lodging in Bozeman, MT, the day you arrive
- (2) night’s lodging in Gardiner, MT
- (1) Sit-down lunch en-route to Gardiner for orientation, trip preparation, and Q&A
- (2) boxed dinners on evening shoots (GF and vegetarian available)
- (1) boxed breakfast for morning/early afternoon shoot (GF and vegetarian available)
- (1) boxed lunch for morning/early afternoon shoot (GF and vegetarian available)
- Hot drinks each day (coffee, tea, hot cocoa)
- Healthy and hearty snacks (various protein/granola bars, mixed nuts, hummus, crackers, snack cheese, fruit, veggies, etc.)
- Fruit juice, sparkling water, and fresh water (please bring a reusable water bottle)
- Interpretation of wildlife activity and behavior to help understand photographing wildlife in the context of their habitat
- Park Entrance Fee(s)
- Day-by-day detailed itinerary provided no more than one week prior to workshop start date
NOT included in workshop price:
- Transportation to get to/from Bozeman, MT, before and after package dates
- Lunch on day 2 & 3
- Breakfast on day 2 & 3
- Gratuity for workshop instructor
- Camera equipment/gear
Itinerary:
Day 1: August 11, 2025 – Arrive in Bozeman, MT. Free shuttle to Best Western GranTree in Bozeman, MT. Dinner is on your own. There is a restaurant on site.
Day 2: August 12, 2025- Breakfast on your own. (We recommend you eat early or wait until lunch with the group around noon). Your workshop leader will pick you up at 11:00 a.m. for transfer to Gardiner, MT, with a stop for an orientation lunch along the way. After lunch you will continue into the park for an afternoon/evening shooting bison and other wildlife in Yellowstone’s Northern Range (including Lamar Valley). You’ll enjoy a boxed dinner in the field and return to check into your rooms between 9:00-10:00pm.
Days 3: August 13, 2025 – Your instructor will pick you up around 1:00 to venture south into the Yellowstone caldera to capture photos of the central bison herd found in the Hayden Valley area. Flexibility is key this day, as this herd can be found in many areas outside of Hayden Valley. There will also be opportunities to photograph other charismatic wildlife including trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, birds of prey, grizzly bears, coyotes, elk, and much more. You’ll enjoy a boxed dinner in the field before returning to your lodge after dark.
Day 4: August 14, 2025 – The last day of the package is an early start with your instructor picking you up at 5:00am. This day will be spent shooting bison and other wildlife in area to be determined based on current activity and client interest. Morning shoots allow for great diversity of animal species including the possibility to capture bison, grizzly and/or black bears, pronghorn, elk, birds of prey, wolves, and more. You will enjoy a boxed breakfast and lunch in the field. At the conclusion of this shoot, you will be transferred to Bozeman, arriving no later than 4:00pm for an additional night lodging (not included) OR a departing flight booked for no earlier than 6:00pm.
Please note: You will need to be checked out of your room before leaving for your final field shoot. Yellowstone Wild will store your luggage until your transfer back to Bozeman.
*Please do NOT book flights out of Bozeman prior to 6:00pm. Due to potential travel delays between Gardiner and Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport, we cannot guarantee a timely arrival for any flights departing prior to 6:00pm on August 14, 2025.
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Hello from Kyle!
About Me
I am a professional nature & wildlife photographer based out of Gardiner, Montana. I’ve worked conservation jobs ranging from Florida to Guyana, to Alaska and Montana. I’ve traveled the world on many outdoor adventures, honing my photography skills along the way. As a wildlife and nature photographer I’m often asked what my favorite animal or location is. I can’t say that I have a preference, I do know that I love exploring new places and immersing myself with my subjects. I think what’s most important is the experiences you create when you get behind the camera.
What People May Not Know About Me
Growing up in a house full of extroverts in Orlando, my natural demeanor is very loud and outgoing. I love nothing more than having a few drinks with friends and family reminiscing old times. Coming from the city I didn’t even know what backpacking was until I was in college! When I began to get serious about nature photography I found a new, vastly different side of myself that thrives in peace and solitude with an intense commitment to protecting the wild spaces previously unknown to me. My blue collar upbringing and values shape my approach to environmental ethics and I’m forever grateful to my parents for that.
My Photographic Journey
I inadvertently got hooked on nature photography when I took an avian biology class in college. At first, I was using my camera as a tool for identification, but I would occasionally score a photograph that was gratifying. Once I was comfortable identifying birds, I strived to compose better photographs and develop my photographic eye.
Now, there are many reasons why I grab my camera and go, but my motivation is led by impact and my insatiable appetite for the outdoors. I have a large network of followers that have expressed vicarious appreciation for the subjects I capture in my viewfinder. Receiving this feedback has shifted my approach as a photographer to also capture images that raise awareness of conservation issues. Since grasping this concept I have volunteered my time with local non-profits and contributed my work to various environmental agencies to shed light on protecting what I love most—Nature.
Whether I’m going out for a specific shot-in-mind or going out to explore, with my camera in hand I feel liberated from the “real world” and am humbled by the natural world around me. This keeps me coming back every chance I get!
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- In order to secure your reservation, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at time of booking. In case you need to cancel your trip with us, we will fully refund your deposit up to 45 days prior to the starting day of your package.Balance of tour price is due 30 days prior to the tour start date.Any cancellation made fewer than 30 days before the starting day of your trip will not be refunded.We regret that as a small business, we are rarely able to make exceptions to our cancellation policy.We reserve the right to cancel the trip if minimum enrollment of 4 guests is not met by 30 days prior to the trip departure date, or due to extreme weather conditions or other factors that are outside of our control. Full refund of your Yellowstone Wild package price is given if this occurs. Yellowstone Wild is not liable for reimbursement of travel-related expenses such as airfare.We strongly recommend you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect you in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans (for suggested travel insurance companies, see [Forbes Advisor](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance/)).
A deposit in the amount of 30% is required at time of booking in order to secure your reservation.
In case you need to cancel your trip with us, we will fully refund your deposit minus a $200.00 service fee up to 46 days prior to the start day of the package.
Balance of tour price is due 45 days prior to the tour start date and will be charged to the form of payment used for the deposit. If you would like to change your form of payment prior to the final payment, it is your responsibility to notify Yellowstone Wild in advance. A receipt will be emailed upon payment of deposit and again when the balance has been collected.
Any cancellation made fewer than 45 days before the starting date of your trip is non-refundable.
We regret that, as a small business, we cannot make exceptions to our cancellation policy.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip if the minimum enrollment of 4 guests has not been met 31 days prior to the trip start date. A full refund of your Yellowstone Wild package price is given if this occurs. Yellowstone Wild is not liable for reimbursement of travel-related expenses such as airfare, car rentals, or other incidentals.
We strongly recommend you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect your investment in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans (For suggested travel insurance companies, see [Forbes Advisor].
- In order to secure your reservation, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at time of booking. In case you need to cancel your trip with us, we will fully refund your deposit up to 45 days prior to the starting day of your package.Balance of tour price is due 30 days prior to the tour start date.Any cancellation made fewer than 30 days before the starting day of your trip will not be refunded.We regret that as a small business, we are rarely able to make exceptions to our cancellation policy.We reserve the right to cancel the trip if minimum enrollment of 4 guests is not met by 30 days prior to the trip departure date, or due to extreme weather conditions or other factors that are outside of our control. Full refund of your Yellowstone Wild package price is given if this occurs. Yellowstone Wild is not liable for reimbursement of travel-related expenses such as airfare.We strongly recommend you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect you in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans (for suggested travel insurance companies, see [Forbes Advisor](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance/)).In order to secure your reservation, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at time of booking. In case you need to cancel your trip with us, we will fully refund your deposit up to 45 days prior to the starting day of your package.Balance of tour price is due 30 days prior to the tour start date.Any cancellation made fewer than 30 days before the starting day of your trip will not be refunded.
We regret that as a small business, we are rarely able to make exceptions to our cancellation policy.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip if minimum enrollment of 4 guests is not met by 30 days prior to the trip departure date, or due to extreme weather conditions or other factors that are outside of our control. Full refund of your Yellowstone Wild package price is given if this occurs. Yellowstone Wild is not liable for reimbursement of travel-related expenses such as airfare.
We strongly recommend you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect you in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans (for suggested travel insurance companies, see [Forbes Advisor](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance/)).
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- In order to secure your reservation, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at time of booking. In case you need to cancel your trip with us, we will fully refund your deposit up to 45 days prior to the starting day of your package.Balance of tour price is due 30 days prior to the tour start date.Any cancellation made fewer than 30 days before the starting day of your trip will not be refunded.We regret that as a small business, we are rarely able to make exceptions to our cancellation policy.We reserve the right to cancel the trip if minimum enrollment of 4 guests is not met by 30 days prior to the trip departure date, or due to extreme weather conditions or other factors that are outside of our control. Full refund of your Yellowstone Wild package price is given if this occurs. Yellowstone Wild is not liable for reimbursement of travel-related expenses such as airfare.We strongly recommend you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect you in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans (for suggested travel insurance companies, see [Forbes Advisor](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance/)).
- In order to secure your reservation, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at time of booking. In case you need to cancel your trip with us, we will fully refund your deposit up to 45 days prior to the starting day of your package.Balance of tour price is due 30 days prior to the tour start date.Any cancellation made fewer than 30 days before the starting day of your trip will not be refunded.We regret that as a small business, we are rarely able to make exceptions to our cancellation policy.We reserve the right to cancel the trip if minimum enrollment of 4 guests is not met by 30 days prior to the trip departure date, or due to extreme weather conditions or other factors that are outside of our control. Full refund of your Yellowstone Wild package price is given if this occurs. Yellowstone Wild is not liable for reimbursement of travel-related expenses such as airfare.We strongly recommend you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect you in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans (for suggested travel insurance companies, see [Forbes Advisor](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance/)).
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What our Workshop Leaders Recommend:
Photography Gear:
While we are happy to accept all levels of photographers, there are a few things you should know about gear as you plan your trip.Wild animals in Yellowstone tend to either be right next to the road or a mile away from it. While you don’t need professional photography equipment in Yellowstone to get an award-winning image, at least one telephoto lens reaching 600mm is ideal for wildlife subjects.
Recommended Gear:
Batteries/Charger – Enough battery power to shoot the entire day (recommend 3 batteries per camera body).
Media – Enough memory to shoot the entire day/week (recommend at least 64 GB per camera body).
Cleaning – Lens cloths, air blower, lens solution.
Filters – Clear UV, Polarizer
Tools – Allen wrenches and/or a Leatherman-type toolRequired Equipment:
At least one quality camera body (DSLR or mirrorless recommended) with lenses of your choice.
At a minimum, we recommend one telephoto lens (maximum focal length of 400, 600, or 800 mm is ideal) for safely photographing wildlife, as well as one wider lens (examples: 16-35mm, 14-24mm, 24-70mm, etc.) for photographing landscapes.Recommended Lenses:
- Canon/Sony/Nikon 500mm or 600mm f/4
- Canon/Sony/Nikon 400mm f/2.8
- Canon/Sony/Nikon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
- Canon 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1
- Canon 200-800mm F6.3-9
- Nikon 600mm f/6.3
- Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6
- Nikon 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3
- Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3
- Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3
Renting lenses is also an option at the following sites:
www.borrowlenses.com
www.bozemancamera.com -
Yellowstone Wild photography instructor/guides are leaders in the field of ethical wildlife photography. An in-depth understanding of wildlife biology and keen observational skills drive their ability to set our photography clients up for powerful images while respecting the wildlife and without causing any undue stress, discomfort, or harm. Your guide’s capacity to read animal behavior and anticipate their next movements, paired with a familiar understanding of the local topography, often allows them to plan ahead and help you set up for wonderful shots of Yellowstone’s wildlife on the stunning winter landscape.
We encourage photographers to focus on capturing images of wild animals interacting naturally with their habitat, with one another, and with their prey species, unaffected by human presence; our photo guides strive to help clients capture images that tell powerful stories of animal behavior and ecology while creating a sense of place within the pristine winter setting of Yellowstone.
We adhere to our ethic (and Park Service regulations) that if our presence is causing an animal to change its natural behavior in any way we are causing undue stress and will leave the area immediately. Life in the wild is never easy and each day is a struggle for survival for wildlife. By reading animal behavior and being sensitive to their needs, we can ensure we are not making their day-to-day lives any harder.
The result of honoring this ethic, coupled with proper equipment (see above), is authentic images of wildlife living their lives in their native habitat and behaving as if humans are not present. These stories of the realities of life versus death in the wild offer compelling additions to any photographer’s portfolio!
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It’s important to remember the wild animals we seek to observe and photograph are exactly that, wild, free-ranging animals that can roam throughout all of Yellowstone’s vast and rugged 2.2 million acres and beyond. The probability of locating and observing them is greatly elevated due to your guide’s familiarity with the landscape and the animals themselves. We do not guarantee any wildlife sightings on our tours; however, we will guarantee your guide will use his or her knowledge, skills, and network of other guides, wildlife watchers, and photographers to do everything possible to find and photograph the animals you’d like to see. Our guides are in the park nearly every day searching for and watching wildlife, and that consistent experience pays off in finding the animals you’ve traveled to observe.
How likely are you to photograph wild wolves? Over the course of the workshop there is a strong likelihood you will see wolves (sometimes multiple packs in a single day). However, as these wolves are truly wild (they do not like to be close to people) and their movements can be unpredictable and lengthy, up-close, portrait-style photo opportunities are rare and should not be expected. We encourage our photographers to focus on capturing images of wolves out on the vast Yellowstone landscape, interacting naturally with their habitat, with one another, and with their prey species, unaffected by our presence. Our photo guides strive to help you use your images to tell powerful stories of animal behavior and ecology while creating a sense of place within the pristine winter setting of Yellowstone
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What to bring:
- Warm clothes for cooler early morning and late evening hours
- Dress warmly so that you can comfortably stand out in the elements during the cold hours of the dawn and sunset. Expect the best wildlife sightings to be in the early morning and dusk hours when the temperatures are the lowest. You will be at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains, and temperatures will be unseasonably cold. Be prepared!
- Close-toed shoes/hiking boots
- Long pants
- Sweater/sweatshirt
- Windbreaker/rain jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Duffle/backpack to store warm clothing as the day warms up
- Water bottle (reusable) *please remember to drink plenty of water at this high altitude
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Camera gear
Weather
Yellowstone National Park is a very large place divided by mountain ranges, deep valleys and a massive lake. The weather within the 2.2 million acres can vary widely, so checking the weather in the park can be a difficult task. We recommend checking several different NOAA weather stations around the park, and working an average of those if you’re planning to travel around the entirety of the park.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ’s page!