Guest Author: Joe Desjardins
Waterton Lakes National Park isn’t subtle; it’s where prairie crashes into mountains, and the wildlife follows that same unpredictability. If you come in expecting things to line up nicely, you’ll leave frustrated. But if you learn to work with what’s in front of you, this place will hand you moments you can’t plan. That’s exactly what we focus on in our June 4-7th, 2026 Nature Photo Guys workshop, reading the scene, adapting fast, and making the most of real conditions for both photo and video.
Here are some things to consider:
1. Get Low and Clean Up Your Backgrounds.
Too many decent wildlife shots fall apart because of messy backgrounds. In Waterton, grasses, rocks, and layered hills can either make or ruin your image. Drop your angle, use the terrain, and isolate your subject against clean tones. A bighorn sheep on a ridge looks a lot better against the sky than a pile of tangled brush. Simple rule: if the background isn’t helping, change your position until it does.
2. Use the Wind and Light to Your Advantage.
Waterton is known for its wind; it’s not a maybe, it’s a guarantee. Instead of fighting it, use it. Wind adds motion to grasses and fur, bringing life to both stills and video. Pair that with early morning or late evening light, and you’ve got depth, texture, and direction.
3. Anticipate Wildlife Behaviour, Don’t Chase It.
Running after wildlife is the fastest way to miss the shot. Animals in Waterton move with purpose: elk, bears, and foxes all follow patterns. Watch first, shoot second. Look for feeding direction, body language, and repetition. When you understand what’s about to happen, you’re ready before it unfolds. That’s where strong images come from, not luck, but timing backed by observation.
4. Think in Sequences, Not Just Single Shots.
This is where photography and videography come together. Don’t just grab one frame and move on; build a sequence. Wide shot, mid-range, tight detail. That same mindset translates directly into video storytelling. In the workshop, we’ll show you how to capture both without missing the moment, so you walk away with more than just isolated images; you get a complete visual story.
5. Be Ready.
Wildlife doesn’t give second chances. You’ll get a few seconds, maybe less, and then it’s gone. Your settings, your exposure and your focus all need to be dialled in before anything happens. In Waterton, things unfold fast. This is where experience matters, and it’s exactly what we help you build during the workshop, being ready before the moment shows up.
If you want to improve your wildlife and nature photography (and start building stronger video alongside it), this June workshop in Waterton is built for you. Real conditions, real situations, and no fluff, just solid time in the field learning how to make it count.
Join us, June 4-7th, 2026. More information and to register, click here.
Stay Wild. Stay Curious.
Joe & Chris, The Nature Photo Guys
