Yellowstone Photography - My Journey

For over five decades, my journey as a fine art photographer has been deeply intertwined with the awe-inspiring landscapes of Yellowstone National Park. This remarkable wilderness, characterized by its geothermal wonders, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife, has been a constant source of inspiration and a canvas for my creativity.


The Dawn of a Long Journey


It all began in the late 1970s when I first set foot in Yellowstone. The park was a different world back then, with fewer visitors and a sense of raw, unspoiled beauty that left an indelible mark on my soul. As the sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, I stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, marveled at the thundering waterfalls, and knew that I had found my muse.

Seasons of Change


As a nearby resident, I've returned to photograph Yellowstone during every season, each offering a unique and captivating photographic experience. Spring, with its delicate wildflowers and reawakening wildlife, presents an opportunity for intimate, close-up shots of bison calves and bear cubs. The vivid colors of fall transform the park into a fiery wonderland, making it ideal for capturing the golden aspens and the elk's bugling calls.

Winters in Wonderland


Yellowstone's winters hold a special place in my heart. The park is draped in a pristine blanket of snow, and the geothermal features take on an otherworldly beauty as steam rises against the frigid air. The geyser basins, like the iconic Upper Geyser Basin, become a steaming cauldron of colors, and the bison's thick coats contrast beautifully with the snow.

The Dance of Geothermal Features


One of my favorite subjects in Yellowstone has always been its geothermal features. Old Faithful, the most famous of them all, never fails to amaze me with its punctuality and power. But it's the lesser-known hot springs and mud pots that have captured my imagination over the years. The kaleidoscope of colors created by thermophiles in these pools is a testament to the park's geologic wonders.

The Quiet Beauty of Lamar Valley


Lamar Valley, often called the "Serengeti of North America," is a place where the spirit of the wild roams free. This expansive valley is a prime location for capturing the park's iconic wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison and pronghorn. It's a place of patience, where you wait for hours in your vehicle, hoping for a glimpse of Yellowstone's elusive inhabitants.

In the Shadows of Giants

Yellowstone is also home to some of the most majestic mountain ranges in the United States. The Absaroka Mountains, with their rugged peaks and alpine meadows, offer endless opportunities for landscape photography. Watching the sunrise cast its warm glow on these towering sentinels is an experience that never gets old.

Preserving the Moment

As a fine art photographer, my goal has always been to capture the essence of Yellowstone in a single frame. I've spent countless hours waiting for the perfect light, the ideal moment when the landscape and the elements align in harmony. Each click of the shutter is a meditation, a way of preserving a fleeting moment in time.

Five decades of photographing Yellowstone National Park have been a journey of wonder and discovery. It's a place that has tested my patience and rewarded my perseverance. It's where I've witnessed the magic of nature in all its forms, from the fiery eruptions of geysers to the quiet grace of a fox in the snow.

Yellowstone remains a place of boundless inspiration for me, and I hope that my photographs convey the profound beauty and significance of this national treasure. In sharing these images, I hope to inspire others to connect with the wild, to appreciate the fragile balance of our natural world, and to protect the legacy of Yellowstone for generations to come.