Photo by Discover Churchill
Join Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom and outdoor guide Forest Gustaveson for
2 days of private instruction at scenic
Rocky Mountain National Park!
Join Kristi and Forest for an Exclusive Wildlife Photography Tour in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Embark on a transformative two-day adventure, where you’ll receive private instruction in the heart of Colorado's breathtaking landscapes. This unique experience offers you the chance to photograph iconic mountain wildlife and stunning mountain landscapes, all while honing your photography skills under Kristi’s expert guidance. With Forest taking care of guiding and education, all the logistics will be taken care of and you can stay focused on the experience and the photos.
With limited dates available for 2025, this is your opportunity to explore the park on a personalized excursion tailored to your interests. Each guest will enjoy one-on-one photography mentorship as Kristi leads you through the park, ensuring you capture the beauty of the mountains and wildlife like never before.
Kristi is dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience filled with awe-inspiring views and rich wildlife encounters. Whether you're a seasoned professional or have just picked up your first camera, you'll receive tailored assistance with all your photography questions. Elevate your skills and create lasting memories in this incredible setting—reserve your spot today!
Kristi's Dedication to Colorado Wildlife
Join acclaimed photographer Kristi as she takes you on an inspiring journey through Rocky Mountain National Park, where her passion for wildlife and conservation shines. Kristi's first major story, showcasing the enchanting Pikas and the dedicated team of over 400 volunteers in the Pika Patrol, was featured online in National Geographic. This project earned her an award from National Geographic for one of the best animal photos of 2021, highlighting this stunning and sometimes overlooked little charismatic Pika!
Later that year, Kristi collaborated with Nikon on a campaign for the Z9, much of which was filmed amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park. To deepen her understanding of wildlife behavior, she enlisted the expertise of a wildlife biologist, revealing invaluable insights into the movement and habitats of the park's inhabitants.
Kristi's commitment to conservation extends beyond photography. She actively partners with Rocky Mountain Wild, a non-profit dedicated to protecting Colorado's wildlife and wild spaces, and collaborates with the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance to highlight critical conservation stories throughout Colorado.
As an associate fellow in the International League of Conservation Photographers, Kristi is dedicated to preserving Colorado's wildlife and sharing its natural beauty. Join her in advancing your photography skills while learning about Colorado wildlife conservation.
Forest's Dedication to Outdoor Education
Forest is a passionate outdoor guide and educator with a lifelong commitment to helping others connect with the natural world. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to creating life-changing experiences in some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Forest has honed his skills through years of guiding in diverse environments, from glacier expeditions in Alaska to rock climbing in Utah, Virginia, and Maryland.
His guiding adventures have also taken him to America's Largest National Park, Mt St Elias National Park, (which is also a World Heritage Site and the world's largest internationally protected area), where he led guests on thrilling glacier treks. Forest’s love for the outdoors extends beyond guiding; he has also led workshops alongside his wife, Kristi Odom, helping to launch outdoor photography trips that capture the beauty of the natural world.
With a deep knowledge of Rocky Mountain National Park’s unique landscape, Forest has knowledge on the park's history from its towering peaks to its diverse ecosystems, enriching every trip with insights into the natural history of the area.
Forest is always prepared to ensure the safety and well-being of his guests. His time spent working in a coffee shop also means you can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a delicious cup of coffee during your adventure. Above all, Forest’s deep passion for Rocky Mountain National Park shines through in every tour he leads (it is his favorite U.S. national park). Whether you’re seeking adventure or a deeper connection to nature, Forest’s expertise and hospitality will make your experience truly unforgettable.
ITINERARY
Day 1 & Day 2
We will begin and end each day right at sunrise in beautiful Estes Park. On day one and two, Kristi will pick up the participant from the hotel in Estes Park and start the scenic drive into Rocky Mountain National Park for 8 hours of private instruction while photographing the animals and landscape of the park. At the end of the day, you will be driven out of the park and back to your hotel where you can get dinner, relax, and get ready for the next day's adventure.
When to visit
Workshops run from early July until the first few days of October. This is overall my favorite months in the park!
With weather pattern changes, nothing is ever guaranteed, but personally my absolute favorite times in Rocky Mountain National Park are during July when the Pikas often pick the wildflowers and run them in bunches back to their dens, and during the fall (late Sept and early Oct) when the aspens change to yellow during the famous elk rut. That all being said, this year one of my favorite weeks was during August. It always changes and there is something to see and explore inside Rocky Mountain National Park!
Rocky Mountain National Park is also an amazing spot for photographing the Milky Way. If interested in a night sky private workshop, please send us an email! We would love to show you the park at night!
Details
Dates
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July 1st and July 2nd - SOLD OUT
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July 7th and July 8th - SOLD OUT
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July 10th and July 11th
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July 21st and July 22nd - SOLD OUT
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Aug 11th and Aug 12th - SOLD OUT
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Sept 15th and Sept 16th
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Sept 18th and Sept 19th
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Sept 22nd and Sept 23rd - SOLD OUT
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Sept 25th and Sept 26th
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Sept 29th and Sept 30th
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Oct 2nd and Oct 3rd
Included
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2 days of one-on-one instruction from Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom
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Transportation from your hotel in Estes Park to RMNP
Cost
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Price: $3200
Not Included
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Hotel in Estes
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Transportation to Colorado
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Transportation from the airport to Estes Park
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Meals
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Park Pass (With our guiding permit, we do not need timed-entry reservations, but every person we guide needs a park pass)
What Happens with Weather?
While this workshop is a rain or shine workshop, if weather or events happen in which we cannot enter the park, Kristi has blocked the day after your workshop for a backup day. It is a good idea either way to have an extra day after the workshop to practice new skills and spend more time inside Rocky Mountain National park.
Wildlife
Education
While no wildlife is guaranteed, we hope to see the some of the following.
More Likely:
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Pikas
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Marmots
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Elk
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Moose
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Dragonflies
On Occasions
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Big Horn Sheep
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Coyotes
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Weasels
This workshop is customizable to each photographer/videographer. Possible topics include but are not limited to:
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Video
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Photos
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Composition
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Conservation Photography
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Camera Settings
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Putting more emotions into your wildlife images
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Photo Editing and post processing
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Video Editing and post processing
