2025 Grand Teton July Milky Way Photo Workshop - For OM SYSTEM / Olympus Photographers

With Matt Suess

July 23 - 27, 2025

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Wouldn't You Love to Be Able to Take Amazing Night Sky Photographs?

🤯 It's not easy trying to figure this out on your own, isn't it? Otherwise I'm guessing you wouldn't be here. 😉

I can certainly remember how difficult it was learning on my own how to take the night sky photographs I always wanted to take! A sky filled with stars above a beautiful landscape, sharp, with as little noise as possible, etc.

It was a struggle to get those images sharp and to have the correct exposure.

What direction do I best point my camera for circular star trails? Where was that darn Milky Way??

I started taking my first night sky images way back when I was a teenager in the 80’s using slide film that I would develop myself. I eventually learned to get some decent 10-minute exposure star trails, but that was about it. Forget about photographing a landscape with the stars above - that was something I just couldn’t achieve correctly.

When I started shooting with digital cameras in the late 90’s the instant feedback was helpful, but the noise in those early cameras still make it nearly impossible to get decent shots of the night sky.

As the cameras improved in the early 2000’s so did my images. I developed my own techniques for manually focusing on the stars for sharp images. I figured out through trial and error how long of an exposure I could take for great star trails, how to calculate the correct settings for those long exposures, and how to best post process the image.

Now with today’s camera equipment and software, anyone can photograph great night sky images.

But…

Even though anyone can, it still isn’t as easy as daytime photos.

While the equipment makes it easy, you still need to know how. How to get those sharp images, how best to reduce noise, how to be able to see the landscape with the night sky, what white balance to use, how to even see what your composition looks like before you start that long exposure - and so much more.

Over the course of my photo workshop I can help you fast track your ability to get amazing night sky images, so you don’t have to go through all the pain I suffered for years and years trying to figure it out on my own.

It's so exciting to see the joy from my clients that very first night we are all out together at the start of my night workshops. That very first hour actually, when they see - some for the very first time - the Milky Way appear on their LCD screen.

Imagine that being you!!

I invite you to join me and the small group I am putting together to feel that magic and together share in that experience that my workshops provide. My night sky workshops are some of my client’s favorites (mine too) and most sell out.

They are at a slower pace - often without seeing any other people throughout the night - enjoying each others company under a sky filled with millions of stars as we tell stories during long exposures while counting the number of shooting stars we see.

Not only will you leave with amazing photographs but you'll also know all the tips & tricks I use to achieve those shots so you can do it on your own next time.

And you'll also bring home with you the memories from an experience unlike any you've had before with a new group of friends you're sure to stay in contact with.

Will you be joining me and the other clients I am gathering for this incredible experience I’m providing out in the Tetons? I’d love to have you there with us!

🌠 One of the BEST places in the U.S. to see the Milky Way 🌌

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful and majestic landscapes in the world, with the Teton Range rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley.

Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park has some of the more dramatic scenery in the Rocky Mountains. It is sure to be an inspiration for any photographer looking to create beautiful images.

This workshop is scheduled around the new moon when the sky is at its darkest, allowing for prime viewing of the Milky Way and Night Sky.

Grand Teton National Park is one of the best places in the U.S. to view and photograph the Milky Way & Night Sky due to it's location far from any major cities and features very little light pollution and less air traffic than other popular areas like Joshua Tree NP & Bryce Canyon NP.

Must Be in Good Physical Condition

Each workshop client needs to be in decent physical condition. Expect walks on level ground up to 1 mile.

The weather this time of year can range from overnight lows in the upper 30's to low 40's. 

Daytime temps can range from the upper 70's to mid 80's. The Tetons get an average of 1.15" of rain this month.

This workshop is designed for any skill level, yet an OM SYSTEM (Olympus) camera with interchangeable lenses AND a sturdy tripod are required, as well as a basic working knowledge of your camera.

Most clients who take my workshops are beginners to advanced amateurs and even pros. My workshops are filled with hands-on instruction & demonstrations. I encourage & help find and develop each clients' unique personal style of photography.

You can read my cancellation policy and terms on my Workshop Registration Page here. All participants are required to sign it.

Lodging is not included, and you are free to stay anywhere near the Jackson Town Square. Some recommendations will be sent following registration.

Learn How to Use the Nomad Star Tracker from Move Shoot Move

During the workshop we will spend some time using the Nomad Star Tracker from Move Shoot Move for even better shots of the Milky Way.

You can purchase one of these low cost, yet highly effective, star trackers via my special link here. Be sure to use coupon code mattsuess to save 5%.

ALSO:

We will spend an hour or so one or two nights post processing our images where I'll show you my latest night sky photography post processing techniques. You will have some time to work on your own photos as well!

Spouses & companions are certainly welcome on this trip - even non-photographer spouses/companions. However in order for spouses/companions to join us during travel and at locations, they need to be fully registered. Matt will be sure to provide tips on getting the best cell phone photos if that is the only camera they have with them!

Take a look at more photos to get an idea on what to expect here.

The best bet is to fly direct into Jackson, WY.

If that is not a possibility then consider flying into Salt Lake City, UT. You will have an approx. 5hr drive from Salt Lake to Jackson.

Be sure to arrive in Jackson as early as possible on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 to allow time for hotel check-in and to get some rest before we head out all night. Ideally it is best to arrive the day before so you can better acclimate and better deal with any flight delays.

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.

We will start out just before or after sunset (approx. 9pm) and shoot all night. Once pure dark has ended and we start losing detail in the Milky Way (approx. 4am) we will end that night's session. 

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 using Live Comp 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.

NEW FOR 2025: We will have a group classroom session or 2 for about an hour before we head out to photograph that night. I'll show you the latest techniques I use for processing my photos and you'll have a chance to work on yours too.

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 around sunset time (approx. 9:00PM). Exact time and location will be provided. 

NEW FOR 2025: One or 2 of these nights we will meet at approx. 7:30PM for a post processing session.

Once we meet at approx. 9PM we will be out photographing all night until approx. 4am.

The rest of the day is open for you to 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 at approx. 4am.

If flying out of Jackson that morning, plan for flights after 8am to allow time for hotel checkout and car rental return.