As a guide, there’s nothing quite like connecting people with incredible wildlife experiences, watching their faces light up as they encounter a moose for the first time or capture that one perfect shot.

Jackson, Wyoming, has been my home for the past four years, and sharing this special place with guests is especially meaningful to me, as it’s one of my favorite locations for wildlife photography. Fall in the Tetons is one of the best times for photographers to visit. The crowds thin, the air cools, and wildlife sightings often increase. During both trips, we had the opportunity to photograph a variety of species, including moose, bison, coyote, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans, and elk.

On the first morning, following orientation, we set out in search of bull moose. We stopped at one of the overlooks, perched higher on the landscape—a perfect spot to scan the area. My initial search was unsuccessful, but from scouting the area the day before, I knew they had to be nearby. We continued down a bumpy dirt road to get a closer look. At the end of the road, we found several bull moose, all positioned near the road, with the early light of sunrise lighting up behind them. We quickly disembarked and began snapping shots.

After a few minutes, one of the moose changed the trajectory of our photo session. He started closing the distance between us, so we carefully backed up to maintain the required minimum 25-yard distance in Grand Teton National Park. We continued to retreat until we reached the van, quickly jumping back inside. Energized, the bull approached the back of the van, rubbing his antlers on a nearby sagebrush bush. Then, he began sparring with another bull just a few yards from the vehicle. We were surrounded!

We sat in awe as these massive animals danced around us, the sounds of their movements filling the air. Once the bulls had moved off to a safe distance, we exited the vehicle and continued photographing the bulls in action. The chatter and excitement in the van as we drove away filled me with happiness, knowing that we had already accomplished so much—and it was only 10 AM on the first day.

As fall transitions into winter, wildlife in the Tetons begins adjusting its patterns to survive the coming cold months. Wyoming winters are brutal, and each species adapts in its own way. As snow blankets the landscape, elk migrate to the National Elk Refuge, bears hibernate for the winter, and moose tend to gather in larger groups after the rut. On a good year, you can see 20-30 moose in a single area, which makes for incredible photographic opportunities.

After a rewarding morning of moose photography, we headed north to search for more wildlife. One of the things I love most about Grand Teton is the diversity of species in the park. During a short drive, we were lucky enough to photograph bison, coyotes, otters, and the ever-changing moods of the Teton Mountain Range.

The second morning brought cotton-candy skies and a few bull moose right in front of the iconic Grand Teton. At 13,770 feet, the Grand Teton is the tallest peak in the park, and its jagged, relatively young profile makes for an incredible backdrop for wildlife. The moose provided many poses and energetic behavior, giving our guests a chance to experiment with environmental shots while still getting a few close-up portraits.

As wildlife photographers, we must always strive to minimize our impact on the animals and avoid disturbing their natural behavior, especially during vulnerable times like winter. A telephoto lens can be a crucial tool for capturing intimate shots without intruding on the animal’s space, while a mid-range lens is essential for photographing subjects in their environment.

On the third morning, we were excited to head out to an area where we had been spotting moose consistently. Sure enough, we found several bulls near one of the dirt roads. After a while, the moose wandered into a nearby creek, providing more unique photo opportunities. One of the bull moose thrashed around in the water and aggressively rubbed his antlers on brush along the bank until his paddles were full of branches.

On our final morning, we set out for one last moose encounter. After receiving intel from a local source, we ventured down another bumpy dirt road in search of Hoback, the largest moose in the Tetons. During the summer months, a moose’s antlers are covered in velvet, providing blood flow to the growing bone. Antlers can grow up to an inch a day during this period, making them the fastest-growing tissue in the animal kingdom. By early fall, moose shed their velvet, revealing their hard antlers. Each moose’s antlers are unique, like a fingerprint, and Hoback is easily recognized by a tine that drops down at the front of his right antler. We were able to capture a few photographs of this impressive bull after a short walk through the sagebrush. The moose moved off further into the field, so we returned to the van in search of more opportunities.

Our last stop of the trip was a successful outing at the National Elk Refuge, where we photographed bighorn sheep. Despite the name, there weren’t any elk in the refuge quite yet. The refuge is a wintering sanctuary for the elk, and when the elk begin showing up in the masses, the numbers reach anywhere from 7,000-10,000 animals. With the bighorn sheep rut just beginning, the guests were able to capture dozens of ewes and several large rams, which stood right in the road. The rams’ horns are made of keratin, the same material as our hair and nails. During the mating season, rams chase the ewes, curling their lips to sniff them—a behavior known as the Fleming response, which is a form of chemical communication. Capturing this behavior always lends to interesting and dynamic shots.

After a lively final shoot at the refuge, and a trip full of thrilling moose encounters, we headed back to Jackson for one last group brunch before parting ways. As always, a trip spent in the company of wildlife and great people is a trip to remember.