Special One Day Photography Seminars            Experience wolves & the wonderful world of photography!

Click Here to Sign Up! Wolf Park wolves are not only well socialized and accustomed to greeting visitors, but they are also well versed and experienced as models. Monty Sloan, Wolf Park's Staff Photographer, has been photographing the Wolf Park wolves since they were infants. They know and enjoy having their photos taken (photos mean treats and the wolves love treats!) The photo seminars are held in March and early April, and through much of the Fall when the wolves look their best, but are not too intense for meeting new people. Most dates coincide with when the Park is closed so participants will have the pack all to themselves! Due to the popularity of the photo sessions, dates can fill up fast. However, if there is enough interest, additional photo shoots and seminars may be added to our schedule. If you would like to be put on a waiting list please email Monty at: Monty@wolfpark.org The photo seminars are open to all folks over 18 years of age, from rank amateur to seasoned professional, who are in good physical shape (there is a fair amount of walking involved). All you need is a camera and a love for wolves! IMPORTANT NOTICE! Due to some changes in our programs, we will be adding a new lecture on wolf-human interactions to all seminar programs. This lecture is mandatory for all participants, including those who have been in with the wolves before. Monty's lecture on photographing the wolves will begin at 9:30 am. Pat's MANDATORY lecture begins at 11:00 am. For the full day photo programs, the mandatory lecture starts at 9:30 am and we go in with the wolves about 10:45 am. Please note: our part of Indiana is now on Eastern time.

Price for program is $175.00*

(check made out to Wolf Park or Visa/MasterCard accepted)

Program consists of lectures about wildlife photography as well as the opportunity to photograph the wolves of Wolf Park* For photo related questions contact Monty Sloan Staff Photographer/Wolf Park (765) 567-2343 or write to Wolf Park Battle Ground, Indiana 47920

A 35 mm camera with a telephoto lens in the range of 135mm to 200mm, or a zoom up to 400mm, is recommended. A good filter (I recommend an 81A warming filter for film, a UV filter for digital cameras) is highly recommended to protect your lens against wolf paws and tongues. For those who are curious, my favorite lens with captive wolves is the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS lens.

Bring a flash if you have one, the wolves won't mind. Bring two cameras if you have a second body so you won't have to change lenses in the wolf pen.

For those still shooting film, I recommend bringing a variety of speeds. The weather (and lighting conditions)can vary greatly. Anything from 100 speed to 400 speed is good and if it is an overcast day, you may want to carry some 800 speed film. I guess if I had to choose a favorite film and speed for photographing the wolves, I would chose and ISO of 200. Of course if you are shooting digital, you can easily chose which ISO to use on the fly.

Tripods for shooting inside the pen are not recommended. Some of the wolves like to chew on these. It may not be possible at all to bring in tripods for the younger wolves may not leave you and your tripod alone. We do not want any camera equipment pulled down and devoured ;-). Aside from the wolves, tripods will make it very difficult to move about the enclosure. The wolves tend not to hold very still and keeping up with them in their large enclosure while lugging a big tripod along is not much fun at all. We do a fair amount of moving around during the program.

For the safety of the wolves and participants, under no circumstances may participants bring in camera bags, backpacks, reflective umbrellas or tripods covered in foam or similarly enticing material that the wolves will insist on chewing. However metal monopods may be OK with the wolves, but because of the young wolves, even monopods may have to stay outside.

The program will consist of a 90 minute lecture and slide show about wolves and photographing wolves in a pack setting. Technical information about photography with an emphasis on how to photograph wolves, as well as tips and techniques will be the focus of the lecture. Following Monty's program there will be a one hour lecture by Pat Goodmann, the primary wolf caretaker and research associate at the Park. She will cover basic protocols on how to behave while in with the wolves.

From 12:30 until 2:00 pm there will be a break for lunch. From 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm we will have the opportunity to enter the main wolf enclosure which is home to our main pack of wolves living on 6.75 acres. The number of wolves we have also varies, but currently there are 6 wolves in the pack.

Weather might cause us to go in with the wolves early and skip lunch, or if severe enough, cause a cancellation. However, to date we have yet to cancel a seminar. Photographing the wolves in a heavy snow storm is quite possible, especially for the March programs, if participants can make it out to the Park. Photographing in a light rain can lead to some fantastic photos, however if there is a steady heavy rain, the photo opportunities will be limited. Cameras and lenses do not do well if soaking wet and the wolves would not be good with umbrellas. Postponement to another day or to the following week might be necessary. Again, we have never had to do this as even on very rainy days, there have been enough breaks in the rain that we were able to go in with the pack and take fantastic photos. Personally, I prefer rain to sun!

For those curious about the choice of photo seminar dates only being on Saturdays in the Spring and Mondays in the Fall:

In the Fall, Monday is best because that is the day we are closed to the general public. In March we are closed anyway so I have chosen Saturdays which makes it easier for people to get away from work. In April we are open on the weekends, but we do not do any special programs that month and there are no conflicts with the seminar. Photo Seminars are only held in Spring and Fall for good reason. From late December through February the rise in seasonal aggression levels in the pack makes it more problematic to bring strangers in with the wolves. In January and February we do not allow any visitors in with the pack for safety reasons. So, for the safety of both our visitors and the wolves, we have opted to not do seminars when aggression levels are at their highest. As for summer photo opportunities, there are two problems. First, the wolves are not active in hot weather. From a photographic standpoint, it is far better to have a blizzard than a nice warm sunny day. The wolves just want to sleep when it is hot and sunny out, but if it is snowing or raining, they are very, very active and present visitors with spectacular photographic opportunities. In the summer, the wolves often just sleep through the day and are nearly impossible to arouse for any length of time. Second, they also shed those beautiful winter coats in May and do not regrow them until the Fall. Given the choice of photographing fluffy active wolves, or virtually furless sleepy wolves, I'd pick the fluffy ones any day ;-)