travel photography diary: Capturing the Wild Beauty of Wyoming
double exposures + travel photography
Known for its vast landscapes, rugged mountains, and abundant wildlife, Wyoming is a beauty to explore in the West. I’d been wanting to take a trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone so we rallied the troops and drove out from Denver.
I wanted to focus on my editorial travel photography and capture the essence of the place in a new and interesting way. While gorgeous landscapes are often the focus of photography in Wyoming, my goal was to dig a little deeper than the natural beauty. I wanted to cover a broader range of elements, combining landscapes, food, wildlife, and the magnificent horses roaming the region's open spaces.
During our first stop at the Pilot Butte Scenic Horse Loop, we were hoping to see the wild horses that roam freely in the area. However, we didn't come across any horses during our drive which was quite sad. Despite this disappointment, we experienced some dramatic scenery as we got caught in a storm. I’m sure this storm might have also been the reason we didn’t see the horses.
One of the most iconic destinations in Wyoming is Grand Teton National Park. And I venture to say that I enjoyed Grand Teton more than Yellowstone. With its magnificent towering mountains, alpine lakes, and meandering rivers, this park offers endless opportunities.
We decided to take the breakfast boat tour on Jackson Lake which was a highlight, but as luck would have it the mountain views that day were hidden behind clouds. It was still a pretty perspective, and the breakfast was really delicious. And I suppose that is one of the challenges, to create good imagery despite less than ideal situations. It was nice to be on the water and we also saw a grizzly bear swimming across the lake which is pretty rare.
On this trip I also wanted to focus on my technique and experiments with in-camera double exposures as a way to capture travel. I once saw a piece in the NYT Magazine which involved sending photographers to capture sound in a visual way which I thought was such an interesting concept. I wanted to try to use the double-exposures as a way to express the essence of the place. The sound of the wind in the trees during the hike on Jenny Lake combined with the gorgeous view of the pristine lake.
No trip to Wyoming is complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park, the oldest national park in the world. Home to mesmerizing geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, and mud pots, Yellowstone presents a unique opportunity to capture the raw power of the Earth. We didn’t get to spend as much time in Yellowstone as I would have liked, but we did see Old Faithful and explored the Grand Prismatic Spring and The Fountain Paint Pot. At some point I’ll make another trip to explore the upper area closer to Montana.
On our last day we decided to visit Jackson Hole resort and take the aerial tram. That was pretty amazing and we had such a wonderful day, Jackson Hole is definitely a beautiful gem of a resort — I’ll have to go back during ski season. Wyoming is a photographer’s dream destination, offering a rich tapestry of landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders. I hope my work gives you a deeper send of this wonderful place. I hope this gallery of my work as an editorial travel photographer gives you a deeper sense of this wonderful place.
