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Photo Tours, Workshops and Western photography expeditions to the wildlife and nature hot spots of Africa, Alaska, Yellowstone/Grand Teton, and American Southwest workshops. Our trips are designed to put you in special places at the right time and learn how to bring home the most unique images possible. Specializing in workshops and tours to beautiful locations with abundant wildlife.

Our photo tours and workshops are instructional nature photography tours with an emphasis on creating new classic images. Jess feels that everyone has it in them to become a outstanding nature photographer. You already possess the passion and the desire, by studying with us you will learn the tools to polish your skills and fine tune your craft. Your current skill level doesn't matter. After a Jess Lee Photo workshop you will expand that skill level. Jess will pass on his knowledge of the natural world, it's history and the species we are photographing. Jess will also show you how to find, approach and create great photographs maximizing your overall experience. Our goal is to refine your own special photographic vision, and our small group sizes assure you of individual attention during our workshops. Jess's relaxed easy style allows you to learn at your own pace. Our goal is for you to take home pictures of a lifetime. Most of all we have fun!

Days in the field are typically long, we head out early and stay out late to take advantage of the prime light. Instruction subjects covered and techniques explored include: Choosing the right equipment for your trip. Large, medium, panoramic,and 35 mm formats—which one to choose and why. Panoramic techniques for film and digital. Tilt/shift lens use and techniques for digital and 35mm users. Flash for nature photographers. How to read your histogram. Professional exposure techniques and compensation. Creative composition—the rules, when and how to break them. Landscape and scenic techniques to expand your vision. How to find, approach and photograph wildlife. Predicting behavior, lens selection, macro and close up techniques. Tripods, heads, beanbag and camera supports. Filters for nature photography the digital world. Choosing, using graduated neutral density filters and digital blending.
How to make your photos more appealing and saleable.

This instruction is field based, without the burden on after lunch classroom lectures. With our small groups ( 5 to 10 participants maximum) we can tailor our teaching to the things YOU need. Instruction is in the field where and when you need it!

You have the opportunity to share the knowledge and tap the skills of Jess's 30 years of photographic expedience. Jess has won numerous awards nationally and internationally. Jess's images have appeared in numerous publications including magazines, books and newspapers, as well as advertising usage. Jess has recently had the honor of having the cover photo for National Geographic Magazine, a dream for most photographer's. Jess's images can also be found in other prestigious publications, as Audubon Magazine, Smithsonian, Defenders of Wildlife, National Wildlife, Sierra and Sports Afield, just to name a few.

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2012 Workshops

Jan 29-Feb 4th	Winter in Yellowstone Steaming geysers, frost covered wildlife and overnight at Old Faithful. Come experience winter in one of the most unique lands on the planet.	full
	Mastering the Landscape, Spring in the Southwest series. During the following 4 workshops you will learn how to produce unique and artistry eloquent photos. What you will learn Those of you who have studied the wonderful works of the master landscape photographers are aware that most of their great classic landscape photos were made with the aid of a view camera. This camera and its extensive movements allow the user to control perspective, extend depth of field and to make their compositions rise above the normal snapshot. In today's digital world most of the masters of the landscape image have switch to digital cameras but they still use the same techniques learned from decades of view camera use. In this workshop we will explore those same techniques and you will learn how to employ those same skills to master the landscape photos of your dreams. You will have access to Jess’s full kit of tilt/shift lens from the super wide 17 mm T/S for those tight places to the 90mm for those compressed near/far compositions. You will learn how to make your digital SLR do most of the functions of the view camera while learning how to make unique compositions whether you are in a iconic location or one of the seldom visited places we will explore during this unique workshop. Other subjects will be understanding potential of live view, Digital Panoramas, and one shot/multi shot HDR's evaluation while shooting. We will make you a more creative,efficient and productive photographer.
March 11-17	Arizona Spring With the rains of late autumn and early winter, spectacular wildflowers displays come to the Southern deserts in March. To take advantage of this great bloom you can join Jess for a week experiencing and photographing some of the best wildflower areas in Southern Arizona. This trip will take us to Locations such as Organ Pipe National Monument, Saguaro National Park, and other locations dependant on the peak bloom in the area. This trip is timed to catch the peak wildflower bloom in many of the most scenic location in southern Arizona. More
March 25- 31	Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Capitol Reef, Southern Utah Photo workshop. Spring foliage, Red Rocks and canyon country will make the images from this tour an awesome addition to your portfolio. This trip is designed to hit the best colors over this vast scenic area. More	Openings
April 7-11	Monument Valley and Navajo Land. Join Jess in this workshop to the little photographed areas of the fabulous 4 corners region of Utah and Arizona. This photo tour will feature unique views and locations beyond the normal visitor locations. Most workshops to this area just visit the easy to reach places on the post card circuit. Not this trip. With us you can visit more remote and less photographed areas. Much of our adventure will have Navajo guides taking us to the places the non Native Americans are not allowed to go. We will show you how to explore capturing images of these great locations in ways to make your work stand out from the crowd. more	Openings
April 14-18	Hoodoos, Private Slot Canyons and Beautiful Sandstone Formations. In this part of the series we will not only photograph The famous Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons but our group will go to exclusive and private Slot canyons for a chance to capture images away from the masse. With us you can visit more remote and less photographed Slot Canyons. Combine with Monument Valley and shoot with Jess the 12th and 13th More	Openings
May 26-31st	Wyoming Wild Horse workshop and tour Experience and photograph real wild horses on their range in Wyoming before they are gone. These horses are not in a sanctuary or "rescue ranch" they are true free ranging Mustangs and what maybe the last of the wild ones as we know them in a land still remote and wild. More	3 Openings
June 3-9	Yellowstone Spring and Photoshop. Capture the worlds first National Park and home to some of the most spectacular landscape and wildlife on the planet during the best light then spend the mid day learning to master Photoshop from a world class expert. Details soon More
June 23-28th	Grand Teton Spring Flowers, Wildlife Babies and Majestic Landscapes Email for details
July 3-9	2012 Alaska Bear workshop You are invited to join Jess with a small group of adventurous photographers for one of the most complete Alaska Photo trips available. We will fly in our private float planes directly from Anchorage to our lodge on the edge of the fabulous Lake Clark National Parks wilderness for 7 days and 6 night of pure Alaska wilderness wildlife photography heaven. Our lodge is first rate in its comfortable accommodations,food and hospitality. Even the bears love this place as we often watch them in the yard from the dining room. More	3 Openings
August 27th-Sept 1st	Katmai Coast by Private Boat, Join Jess with a small group of adventurous photographers for one of the most stunning Alaska Brown Bear Photo trips available. We will fly in our private float plane from Kodiak to the rugged and beautiful Katmai Coast where we will board our private charted boat for 6 days and 5 nights of pure Alaska wilderness Brown Bear photography heaven. We will live aboard our private chartered boat anchored off shore in some of the many calm bays of the Katmai coast. Most other groups fly into one location where their boat is anchored for the duration of the trip. This is the same bay where day trips often arrive and leave disturbing the seclusion and serenity of the experience. Our group will travel to locations seldom visited by others. Places of true wilderness where we can experience the bears in solitude. During this adventure you will capture images rarely seen. Our guides and ships crew will insure this is done in safety and comfort. Possibly the best Brown Bear private trip on the planet more	2 Openings
Sept 22-28th	Yellowstone/Grand Teton Autumn. Wildlife and autumn color. This is the trip that has been the Grand Prize in the Defenders of Wildlife Photo contest for the past 3 years and is one of the few lead by a licensed resident. more	2 Openings

Our Photo tours are designed to help you develop your unique vision while putting you in locations which are breathtaking in beauty and rich with wildlife. Jess's relaxed easy style allows you to learn at your pace. Small groups insure individual attention on what you need. These are intensive Photography trips planned and scheduled to maximize our in time in the field. All trips are operated with licensed concession holders where required.

Instruction subjects covered and techniques explored include: Choosing the right equipment for your trip. Professional exposure techniques and compensation. Creative composition—the rules, when and how to break them. Landscape and scenic techniques to expand your vision. How to find, approach and photograph animals. .Predicting behavior. Lens selection. Macro and close up techniques. Tripods, heads, beanbag and camera support techniques Filters for nature photography in a digital world. Choosing, using graduated neutral density filters and digital blending.
Large, medium, panoramic,and 35 mm formats—which one to choose and why. Panoramic techniques for film and digital. Tilt/shift lens use and techniques for digital and 35mm users. Flash for nature photographers. When to chimp and how to read your histogram.
How to make your photos more appealing and saleable. Digital techniques in nature

This instruction is field based, without the burden on after lunch classroom lectures. With our small groups ( 5 students is the normal size) we can tailor our teaching to the things YOU need. Instruction is in the field where and when you need it!

**What others say,**
Defenders of Wildlife Photo Contest Posted on March 10, 2011 by Cathy When I was an editor at Audubon magazine, I saw a lot of really stunning wildlife and nature photos. I can take a decent shot, but my photos are nowhere near the quality of those professionals. I wish they were, because then I could enter to win a fabulous prize like the one that Defenders of Wildlife will be awarding this spring: a grand-prize photo tour to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks with expert wildlife photographer Jess Lee. Now, that would be a great trip! ============= hi jess, arrived well back in south florida last night, the flights were fine, and wanted to email with another thanks for your time and work to make it a great week in yellowstone. much success to you and i'd look forward to sharing future photo ops together. murray c. ------------------------ "Jess, Thanks for another great trip. You more than lived up to what I had read about you, your knowledge of the area and ability to get us up close to the wildlife made it possible for even a novice photographer like myself to come home with some great shots. I am trying to arrange my schedule so I can make your spring trip to Yellowstone and the Teton's, it should be spectacular. Look forward to our next adventure. Tom" ------------	Jess, This was the greatest photographic experience of my life. Spending time with Jess inside the wilds of Yellowstone for a week really improved my photo skills. Jess is extremely knowledgeable both about photography and has the skills to relate his knowledge in an understandable way. This trip was extremely rewarding and fun! Thanks Jess.All the best to you. -------------- Jess, I have spoken to Alan since he returned to Ashton (thanks for bringing him). He could not stop telling me what a great time he had and how much he learned on the trip to Yellowstone. I cannot thank you enough. Your time and work are appreciated. I do not know what else to say to someone who made my Christmas gift to my step-son so special, all I can do is thank you again. Dustin ---------------- Wonderful 3 1/2 days. I loved your approach and pace. The rest of the crew was really great as well.You are certainly one of a kind and I learned a lot. thanks." Christopher A ---------------------------- Larry W. If you ever want a recommendation have them give me a call. Looking forward to Africa	"Jess:Thanks for your usual fine job. I enjoyed the trip and looking forward to sharing another trip with you" Larry W. ------------------------------ Thank you Jess...I went for wolves...and I got WOLVES everyday!! Wally, winter '08 --------------------- Great Trip, Charlie M. ---------------------- Gene Covey after one of his many trips "Jess: I just got back home and reviewed my photos. I got some killer shots. Thanks for a great photo safari. I could have never gotten anything like I did. You were an excellent guide" ----------------------------- Julie J. Jess we have traveled the world over and you are the best. --------------------------- Another great trip Walt, Yellowstone spring ----------------------------	Give Jess Lee a call for Yellowstone. Chas Charles Glatzer M.Photog ------------------------- George Kaczmarek Hi Jess and thank you so much for giving me chance to shoot with you. It was great...........Jess, as I mentioned to you I do not have too much time but during summer I will like to go with you on one of your custom weekends for some wildlife shooting. Now you have shown me there is so much to do in North America I don't have to go to africa for unique photos .....George http://www.1000gkphotos.com ------------------------ Greg Rothschild "Yellowstone was great. Jess found tons animals for us to photograph our first day out we spotted a wolf pack- it's the first time i've seen wolves in the wild... and to hear them howl from the mountain top... really nice moody images ...definitely the highlight of the trip for me...." greg http://www.gregrothschild.com ----------------------- Maria B "you were great, sign me up for the Canadian Rockies" -------------------- Steven Berkowitz " I only got them because of you"

About our trips

Africa Photo Safari Guide

Africa Tanzania

New Mexico

Yellowstone Christmas

Yellowstone Teton Spring

Yellowstone Fall

Africa Kenya

Alaska Eagles

GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally I am able to run a trip below our group minimum which is generally 3. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement. You would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.
RESERVATIONS: Your $ 500 deposit is required to secure your place on any trip, with the balance due120 days prior to the departure date.
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Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.
MEALS: Some meals and refreshments are included depending on the trip details, but not alcoholic beverages.
ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.
CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing, and due to costs incurred by JessLeePhotosllc in arranging a tour, deposits are non refundable. Payment in full is required 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations after 120 days will receive a full refund( except deposit) if your spot can be filled from a waiting list or if you can fill your spot.
JessLeePhotos LLC strongly suggest that tour participants invest in trip cancellation insurance.
CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, JessLeePhotos reserves the right to cancel any given trip. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, JessLeePhotos is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
LUGGAGE: JessLeePhotos request that tour participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag and tripod. We do not wish to be dictatorial in this matter, but asks that group members bear in mind space and comfort in our vans. All personal luggage is the responsibility of the owner so please keep the weight to a limit YOU can handle and other restrictions can be met.
SMOKERS: Smoking is not permitted at meals or on vans. It can be permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit, photography and photographers are not affected.
RESPONSIBILITY: JessLeePhotosLLC and its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, and as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause. JessLeePhotos reserves the right to substitute hotels, and other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience.
JessLeePhotos reserves the right to pass on to tour members any additional and unplanned expenditures incurred during the tour, via events beyond JessLeePhotos' control.
The right is reserved to accept or decline any person as a member of any tour.
Payment of tour fees by trip participants constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein including but not limited to injury, death or other liability incurred during a trip..

Images and design protected by U.S. And international copyright laws. No right is given to save or download any images or components of this site unless written permission is granted by Jess Lee Photography.
Licensing for use can be arranged by contacting : Jess@JessLeePhotos.com

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hi jess, arrived well back in south florida last night, the flights were fine, and wanted to email with another thanks for your time and work to make it a great week in yellowstone. much success to you and i'd look forward to sharing future photo ops together. murray c.

Images and design protected by U.S. And international copyright laws. No right is given to save or download any images or components of this site unless written permission is granted by Jess Lee Photography. Licensing for use can be arranged by contacting : Jess@JessLeePhotos.com

Images and design protected by U.S. And international copyright laws. No right is given to save or download any images or components of this site unless written permission is granted by Jess Lee Photography.
Licensing for use can be arranged by contacting : Jess@JessLeePhotos.com