This was a full week Yosemite photography trip with Backcountry Adventures February 15-21, 2025.  Seven photographers (including my brother Andy), Jon Resnick - the professional photographer guide, and a large van.  The daily itinerary was adjusted based on sun angles and weather conditions, with the days typically starting before 6 am. 

Yosemite in the winter is not crowded.  Entrance to the park is limited, and reservations are required.  We stayed right in the Yosemite Village and my room was a 5-minute walk to Yosemite Falls.  Chilly mornings, and comfortable afternoons – a few patches of snow, but that was it.

I took 2,000 pictures and picked about 50 to show off. You will see below many of the “Classic Yosemite” photos of Half Done, El Capitan, and several waterfalls.  We worked to capture scenes when the lighting or reflections were most dramatic.  In addition, there are photos where I tried to get creative or simply capture another aspect of the trip.  Enjoy!

Not quite an Ansel Adams . . . but a lot of fun.   Ansel Adams was famous for his photos of Yosemite, and the park houses a museum and shop in his honor.  I drew inspiration from his black-and-white work in creating this photo in the early morning as the sun’s rays began to hit El Capitan. 

Canon R5 on tripod, 28-70 lens set at 35mm with neutral density filter, 4 second exposure to blur the water, ISO 100, f16. Taken February 18, 2025 7:25 am.