I am an authorized CUA permit holder of the National Park Service and conduct my workshops based on the permit’s guidelines.
This workshop is scheduled around the new moon and we will have completely dark skies for each of the nights during this workshop which will be ideal for photographing the Milky Way.
This workshop is also not like other night workshops that only stay out for a few hours in the evening. We will start out just after sunset (unless conditions seem favorable for a good sunset in which case we will head out earlier) and shoot all night and finish up after sunrise. You will have numerous opportunities to photograph the Milky Way from different locations and you will also have the ability to work on very long exposures and star stacking with times of up to an hour long!
You will not feel rushed during this workshop. Photographing the night sky takes time, and you will have ample time at each location to perfect your shot. Plan on 2 to 3 different locations max per evening. Many locations yield themselves to multiple shots and angles.
There is no classroom portion to this workshop. Post processing training will be provided in the format of Bonus pre-recorded mini courses viewable online in addition to a Bonus Live group call a few weeks following the workshop.
This is a landscape photography workshop and that will be our primary focus. However with the amount of wildlife in the park we will certainly keep an eye out for and photograph any wildlife we come across during our sunrise shoots.
In the event of rain we will either spend time post processing and/or waiting it out for the rain showers to end depending on how the weather is looking. I have a number of weather apps that I use for night photography that will enable me to make best guesses as to the best use of our time each night. On cloudy nights we will be out photographing looking for breaks in the clouds or other creative ways to photograph on such nights.
If flying into Jackson on Wednesday, it is advised to get to your hotel as early as possible and try to get some sleep in the afternoon and early evening. Ideally it is best to get into town on Tuesday.
Plan on heading out to photograph by sunset or soon after (sunset is at approx. 9:06PM). Exact time and location will be provided. We will be out all night through sunrise (sunrise is at approx. 5:40am).
Shooting will end by 6:30 - 7am. A group breakfast is possible depending on where we are. The rest of the day is open rest up and sleep, as well as take a look at your images and recharge batteries before we head out again.
The workshop will end after our sunrise session at approx 6:30 - 7am. A group breakfast is possible depending on where we are.
If flying out of Jackson that morning, plan for flights after 10 or 11am to allow time for hotel checkout and car rental return. Often when I myself head home that morning, I'll check out of my hotel the night before at 8pm. It's always interesting to see the reaction from the hotel clerk 😂. If only they could cut us a deal on such an early checkout...
This was photographed at sunrise after we stayed out all night photographing the night sky.
Here is the best airport option:
Jackson Hole Airport, JAC, in Jackson, Wyoming
If flying into Jackson on Wednesday, it is advised to get to your hotel as early as possible and try to get some sleep in the afternoon and early evening. Ideally it is best to get into town on Tuesday.
Book your hotel reservations sooner rather than later! Hotel rooms go fast especially this time of year.
This workshop isn't going to be based out of any hotel location, so you can choose to stay at any hotel of your choice. I would highly recommend though staying within a few miles of the Square in downtown Jackson. Avoid far away areas like Teton Village. If you are considering a place and have any questions, feel free to contact me before you book.
You may also consider either tent or RV camping at Gros Ventre Campground in the park. Reservations can be found here.
More information will be provided following registration.
A complete list of What to Bring will be provided. This list will mention required and suggested items regarding camera equipment and clothing.
For this workshop we will be carpooling. Let me know if you are willing to be a driver - I will need 2 drivers that can take two additional passengers.
It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to purchase quality travel insurance.
Some companies allow for the purchase of Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind.
OM SYSTEM / Olympus Cameras & Lenses
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Photography has always been a huge part of my life starting at the age of 12 when I had my own black & white chemical darkroom. That early interest launched a full-time professional photography career that began in 1990 and continues today.
For the first 17 years of my career I was a photojournalist based in New England. I am a digital photography pioneer and began teaching digital photography to photojournalists in the late 90’s, helping bring digital cameras to two different newspapers. I was awarded the 2003 New England Press Associations Photographer of the Year award for my work at the Cape Cod Times. During my time as a photojournalist, I also photographed weddings & portraits, as well as corporate & commercial assignments.
In 2006 I decided to leave all of that behind and move West, where I am now a fine art landscape & nature photographer, educator, and publisher. In addition, I also accept select luxury resort & architectural photography assignments.
I teach numerous field & classroom workshops throughout the year as well as online courses and I provide occasional free online webinars. You may have already seen my videos for software companies such as Skylum and ON1. My passion for sharing and teaching what I have learned during my long career is evident in my down-to-earth and encouraging approach with my students.
I am sponsored by Olympus / OM SYSTEM as an OM SYSTEM Ambassador. One does not need to shoot with Olympus / OM SYSTEM gear though to take my workshops.
I live in Bozeman, Montana with my fiance and fine art painter Whitney Hall and our two blue heeler cattle dogs.
You can find me online on Instagram and YouTube at @mattsuessphoto
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