1. Yosemite in Winter

Winter transforms Yosemite into something truly magical. Snow-covered granite cliffs, frozen waterfalls, peaceful forests, and dramatic winter light create an entirely different photographic experience than the busy summer months.

Why photographers love this trip:

When fresh snow blankets Yosemite Valley, the park becomes remarkably quiet. Iconic scenes like El Capitan, Half Dome, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls take on an entirely new character beneath a layer of snow and ice. Winter storms often give way to dramatic clearing conditions, creating the kind of soft light, moody skies, and atmospheric landscapes photographers dream about. With fewer visitors in the park, you'll also enjoy a more relaxed shooting experience, giving you the freedom to slow down, refine your compositions, and work closely with your guide.

Perfect for photographers who want to:

• Capture Yosemite's most iconic landscapes without the crowds

• Photograph dramatic winter weather and snow-covered scenery

• Learn advanced landscape photography techniques in changing conditions

2. Acadia National Park

From rugged granite shorelines and crashing Atlantic waves to colorful forests and iconic lighthouses, Acadia National Park is a dream destination for landscape photographers. Located on Maine's Mount Desert Island, Acadia offers an incredible variety of photographic subjects packed into one unforgettable coastal adventure.
Whether you're photographing sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the first place to see the sunrise in the United States for much of the year, or capturing long exposures along the rocky coastline, every day presents new opportunities to create striking images.

Trip highlights:

Acadia's dramatic landscapes provide endless inspiration, from the weathered granite cliffs of Otter Point and Thunder Hole to the historic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and tranquil Jordan Pond. Autumn brings vibrant displays of crimson, orange, and gold throughout the park, while the crisp coastal air and ever-changing Atlantic weather create spectacular light and atmospheric conditions. With expert guidance from your Backcountry Journeys instructor, you'll learn how to photograph both grand coastal vistas and intimate woodland scenes, making the most of every sunrise, sunset, and shifting weather pattern.

Great for photographers who love:

• Rugged Atlantic coastlines and dramatic seascapes

• Vibrant fall foliage and colorful New England landscapes

• Sunrise photography, long exposures, and lighthouse photography

• Combining coastal scenery with intimate nature compositions

3. Kauai: The Garden Isle

Towering sea cliffs. Emerald valleys. Hidden waterfalls. Tropical coastlines. Kauai offers photographers one breathtaking composition after another.
From sunrise beaches to dramatic mountain overlooks, every day presents opportunities to create portfolio-worthy images while experiencing one of Hawaii's most spectacular islands.

Highlights include:

Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai is home to some of Hawaii's most dramatic scenery. You'll photograph the rugged Nā Pali Coast, colorful canyons, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, tropical beaches, and volcanic landscapes that seem almost untouched by time. The island's ever-changing weather often creates rainbows, mist, and incredible light that add depth and drama to every image. With expert guidance throughout the workshop, you'll learn how to photograph everything from intimate forest scenes to sweeping coastal vistas.

Ideal for photographers who love:

• Dramatic coastal landscapes

• Long exposures and waterfalls

• Tropical scenery unlike anywhere else in the United States

4. Kings of the Jungle: Leopards & Sloth Bears of Sri Lanka

Some wildlife encounters simply can't be replicated.

This unforgettable safari places photographers in one of the world's premier locations for photographing elusive leopards while also offering opportunities to capture sloth bears, elephants, colorful birds, and countless other incredible species.
Every game drive brings the possibility of witnessing truly extraordinary wildlife behavior.

What you'll experience:

Yala National Park is renowned for having one of the highest leopard densities anywhere in the world, giving photographers an exceptional opportunity to capture these elusive cats in their natural habitat. Beyond the leopards, you'll search for shaggy sloth bears, Asian elephants, crocodiles, jackals, water buffalo, and an incredible variety of birdlife. Traveling in a small group allows everyone ample space to photograph wildlife comfortably, while your instructor helps you anticipate behavior, refine camera settings, and capture compelling moments as they unfold.

Perfect for wildlife photographers seeking:

• Rare leopard encounters

• Expert wildlife instruction

• Small-group safari experiences

5. Ultimate Northern Lights Photography Workshop

Imagine standing beneath ribbons of dancing green, purple, and crimson light stretching across the Alaskan sky.

Our Ultimate Northern Lights Workshop combines expert instruction, carefully selected shooting locations, and years of aurora forecasting experience to maximize your opportunities for unforgettable images.

When the lights appear, you'll be ready.

Why photographers return year after year:

Backcountry Journeys has refined this workshop over years of chasing the aurora across Alaska. You'll learn how to confidently photograph one of nature's most spectacular phenomena while exploring snow-covered landscapes that provide beautiful foregrounds beneath the night sky. Your instructor will guide you through camera settings, composition, focus techniques, and real-time adjustments as conditions change. Combined with expert aurora forecasting and carefully selected shooting locations, you'll maximize every opportunity when the sky comes alive with color.

You'll learn how to:

• Photograph the aurora with confidence

• Balance exposure in challenging night conditions

• Create stunning compositions beneath the northern sky

6. Signature Yellowstone: Icons of the Park

Few places on Earth offer the variety of Yellowstone.
From steaming geothermal features and colorful hot springs to wolves, bison, elk, and breathtaking landscapes, every day delivers new photographic possibilities.

This signature workshop focuses on experiencing Yellowstone's most iconic locations while helping photographers create images that tell the story of America's first national park.

Trip highlights:

This workshop showcases the very best of Yellowstone, combining dramatic geothermal landscapes with outstanding wildlife photography opportunities. You'll photograph iconic locations including Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, while also searching for bison, elk, coyotes, foxes, and other wildlife throughout the park. With the guidance of experienced photography instructors, you'll learn to adapt to Yellowstone's constantly changing light and wildlife activity, helping you return home with a portfolio that captures both the grandeur and intimate beauty of this legendary national park.

Great for photographers interested in:

• Wildlife and landscapes in one workshop

• Iconic Western scenery

• Learning from experienced photography guides