To the best of our ability we have identified this wolf as *Wolf 1270m.* Apparently there were mixed thoughts on whether or not he was kicked out of the pack or leading the pack. We did spot him by himself, but his hefty appearance tells a story of a well fed wolf—most likely still with the pack. BTW, this was my one and only shot of a wolf. Donna Bourdon got several up close shots of the black wolf (my dream shot) before I got to Yellowstone… you just never know.
According to what I found online: Wolf 1270M is a prominent, formerly dominant male of the Wapiti Lake wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park, known for his striking appearance as a black wolf turning silver/gray with age. Born to the 8-Mile pack in 2020, he took over the Wapiti Lake pack in 2022, holding the alpha position for several years.

Yellowstone Trip Report

January 25, 2026

I added some brushstrokes to the foreground to soften it a bit.

This January, I went to Finland where it was about -38C straight to Yellowstone where it averaged about 14F with temps dipping below -10F. Needless to say, Yellowstone felt like a sauna. This year we had a lot of photo opportunities. Our first session was blessed with several up-close and personal wolf shots on the north end of the park. During our time on the snow coach (in the interior), we photographed wolf 1270m. A large, silver, grey Alpha male from the Wapiti Lake pack. He was apparently kicked out of the pack but made his way back to Alpha. Given his bulky appearance he has been eating good regardless.

From our time on the snow coach, we also photographed the “Bobby Sock” trees, Murphy’s tree and many winter scenes. AND we had bison coming straight at us with frosty fur!

It was also the year of the Coyote, we saw so many this year that it was crazy! Every time we saw something moving- it was a coyote. We even saw a pack of 10 coyotes feeding on a young bison. We saw a cute, little, curious, Pine Martin and a few foxes. We also saw and photographed a Rocky Mountain fox which is a sub species of the Red Fox.

Elk, Pronghorn, Mule deer, and Big Horn sheep were plentiful and easy to spot. Each year is different in terms of subjects and sightings but there wasn’t much snow in Gardiner, and it made the first section of the northern entrance a little less appealing in terms of photography. However, things picked up as we got more into the park.

I used my Sony A1 and Sony 200-600mm lens for almost all the wildlife images. I used the Sony 24-105mm lens for most of the scenics. I brought my Sony 70-200mm lens and used it on occasion. I am still having issues with one of my A1 bodies in the extreme cold. I will be writing to Sony and will keep you posted. Also, I brought my Sony 400-800mm lens but never even took it out of the case. Our sightings were close and I never needed it. BUT, I will bring it just in case next year.

Bobby Sock Trees, creative edit.
In Photoshop I created a multiple exposure then did an Invert. and added some color tweaking.

Finland Trip Report

January 11, 2026

It was cold, yes, very cold, average temperatures for this workshop were between -11 and -36.4 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s pretty darn cold. Especially considering we were out for hours, exploring the forest, climbing stairs, and following endless trails.

It was truly a winter wonderland full of large evergreens draping with snow and hoarfrost. While we were photographing it really didn’t seem cold… that is until you stopped moving. Of course we were layered up with big boots, giant gloves, crampons, hats, scarves, and all the other wintry weather gear!

It’s hard to believe that there wasn’t enough snow and ice on the trees to make them bend over at the top but our guide said it is usually much snowier. Still, there was plenty of snow on the trees— believe me! He also said this year the temps were higher than usual.

While walking through Riisitunturin National Park, many times I sank down to my knees if I went off the beaten path. It was difficult to maneuver and in hindsight I would rent the snowshoes. It was an absolutely gorgeous winter scene from the first minute you walked on the trail all the way to the top. I found my best photos were from the halfway point.

We also visited Myllykoski rapids with a cool suspension bridge, ice swirling in the river and winter scenes galore. This was a very photo rich environment with lots of different nooks along the river.

On one of our days, we took a giant sled pulled by a snow mobile up a mountain top to photograph a very dense forest of icy, snow-covered trees. This experience was pretty cool or should I say cold- that day it was -36.4 degrees Fahrenheit (not the entire time) and it felt like it. Our only saving grace was that the wind took pity on us. I took a long, hot shower when I returned to my snuggly hotel room. My room had a heated clothing closet with racks for all my gear along with temperature controls and a timer.

Our hotel was really nice. The breakfast (included) buffet was fabulous. I’d definitely stay there again if I did another trip. I say “if” because it was an arduous trip in my opinion, mostly because during the week that we were there, it was extremely cold— the temperature warmed up considerably by almost 30 degrees the day after our trip— go figure. But, in time (knowing myself well) I will most likely forget the frost-bitten finger tips and attempt another visit. After-all Yellowstone was -38Farenheit last year during my trip and I am heading back again in a couple of days!!

Overall, I loved Finland. The experience and the photography were challenging yet extremely rewarding. The locals were kind and welcoming. For this maiden trip, I used my guide Christian from Norway. He drove 12 hours from his home in Norway to guide for us in Finland as he runs lots of tours in both Finland and Norway for other trip leaders, so he knows the area well. Plus, he’s super chill and knowledgeable.

During the trip we also had a local Finnish snowmobile driver/guide that assisted us in getting up to the top of a steep winding mountain in the snow. He was friendly and knowledgeable and an ex-military man, so he had plenty of stories to share as he kept the fire going in the hut. We were offered sausage, pastry of some sort, coffee, and tea. He could also drive that sled, which I don’t think would be easy under regular conditions but throw in those negative temperatures and all the snow… I wouldn’t want to even attempt the hills or winding paths!

My gear for the trip:

2 Sony A1 bodies (so glad I brought two as one failed on the first shoot)

Sony 16-35mm lens

Sony 24-105mm lens

Tripod

*I should have brought ND filters, heated gloves and boot liners and heavy-duty crampons. If I go back, I’ll be better prepared!

How did my gear perform-not well. On my first photo session my Sony A1 body froze up—literally, I couldn’t move the dials or access the back screen or menus. It was a total fail and cost me valuable time in the early blue hour session. So far the camera has not recovered from that first day, even after constant babying. I was so disappointed that I am actually considering switching back to Canon, I have never once had a Canon camera fail me. And I have been in icy freezing temps with my Canon gear for hours and hours. This is the third time my Sony system failed in both extreme hot and cold weather… I will be looking into this.

I thought this looked like a princess going to a winter ball!

I was all set up to take this shot and my lens got all kinds of ice crystals on it—this is the straight out of camera effect I got. I liked it very much. Color is all natural.

While walking through Riisitunturin National Park, many times I sank down to my knees if I went off the beaten path. It was difficult to maneuver and in hindsight I would have rented the snowshoes.

8 second exposure, I kept the blue tones that were in the original, I just darkened them down a touch.

Half our group on the rock. Our guide Christian walking down to the waters edge.

The old mill from the suspension bridge. I chose a square crop for this.

On one of our days we visited Myllykoski rapids with a cool suspension bridge, ice swirling in the river and winter scenes galore. And on another day, we took a giant sled pulled by a snow mobile up a mountain top to photograph a very dense forest of snow-covered trees. This experience was pretty cool or should I say cold- that day it was -28 degrees Fahrenheit and it felt it. I took a long, hot shower after that day. My room has a heated clothing closet with racks for all your gear and temperature controls. Our hotel was really nice. The breakfast (included) buffet was fabulous. I’d definitely stay there again if I did another trip. I say “if” because it was a difficult trip in my opinion, mostly because the week we were there it was extremely cold— the temperature warmed up by 30 degrees the day after our trip— ugh.

I liked the icy framing for this river shot.

I loved Finland. The experience was great, the photography was wonderful and the locals were all very kind and welcoming. Our Norwegian guide was great as usual. He is the same guide that I use for my Norway trips. The Finnish snowmobile guide was also very nice as well. Overall, I really can’t complain, I loved my photos from the trip and I enjoyed each photo session. I’m thinking of ways to make slight adjustments so I may return <wink>. Again, I just wish it had been a bit warmer. Like maybe 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

My favorite from our 2nd river location.

Just to give you an idea of how frozen it was—this is Frances Fuji braving the cold!

On our last night we had some aurora activity. I got one shot of the river scene that I liked, but I need to denoise it and work on a good crop…I may post that later on Facebook.

Want More Cold Weather Fun!

Join me and my guide in the Canadian Rockies
January 17-23, 2027

Top 25 for 2025

December 22, 2025

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season filled with love. I have been tremendously fortunate in my life, I have a beautiful, loving family that I adore, I also get to follow my dreams and share my passion with everyone as I explore the globe with camera in hand.

Below are my top 25 images from the year, in no specific order. It was hard to get down to just 25. Some are personal favorites as there is a story in my heart that is deeply attached to them. Some are the best that I did in a given situation, but all the images below make my heart sing and that is why I do this wonderful photography “thing”—yes, it is a thing.

So, with that, I would like to thank every single one of my clients, whether you travel with me, read my blog, purchase my eBooks, or sit through my presentations. Without all of your support, I would never be able to do this “thing” I love so much.

Big Hugs and Peace on Earth,

Denise

JOIN US FOR AN EPIC ADVENTURE ONBOARD THE Magellan Discoverer, brand new-luxury expedition ship for the photo tour of a lifetime!!!

South Georgia and Antarctica Peninsula -November 10-30, 2027

THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT-THERE IS A WAITLIST
SEE BELOW.

****TO SECURE YOUR SPOT AS PART OF MY GROUP AND TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR EXCLUSIVE IMAGE REVIEW, PHOTOSHOP AND LIGHTROOM SESSIONS YOU MUST SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW--BE SURE TO CLICK "SUBMIT", SO THAT I CAN GET YOU PROPERLY SIGNED UP!

Thank you, this is going to be epic!

*A Creative Adventure team for this expedition -Denise Ippolito, Donna Bourdon and Harold Klein.

South Georgia and Antarctica Peninsula -November 10-30, 2027, Announced!!!!

December 16, 2025

UPDATE-THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT-THERE IS A WAITLIST-TO GET PUT ONTO THE WAITLIST FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW AND HIT SUBMIT.

I am extremely happy to announce the photo tour that we have all been waiting for—South Georgia and Antarctica Peninsula -November 10-30, 2027, with CHEESEMANS’ TOURS onboard our beautiful, new ship—The Magellan Discoverer. The brand new Magellan Discoverer is a luxury expedition ship for Antarctic cruises. It has been designed for intimate, eco-friendly "fly/cruise" experiences with boutique amenities like private balconies, a hybrid-electric engine, and Zodiacs for landings, offering a high-end, sustainable way to explore the White Continent. Limited to just 76 guests per fly/cruise voyage, she offers small-ship expedition cruising. Yes, you read that correctly, fly/cruise—we will not have to do a Drake Passage crossing!! We will fly back— saving us lots of time, this will add greatly to our overall experience.

TO SIGN UP FOR THIS TRIP--USE THE FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST - to submit your name and email. Our team at Cheesemans’ will be in touch with you, and you will automatically be placed in my group. and have full access to all image review sessions, Photoshop and Lightroom session with my personal group while onboard. Plus you will be invited to a private Zoom session (just for my group) to prepare you for this once in a lifetime expedition!

Screen capture of one of the many cabins onboard the Magellan Discoverer

****TO SECURE YOUR SPOT AS PART OF MY GROUP AND TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR EXCLUSIVE IMAGE REVIEW, PHOTOSHOP, LIGHTROOM SESSIONS YOU MUST SUBMIT THIS FORM TO ME— UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN TO BE ON THE INTERESTED LIST WITH ME. Thank you, this is going to be epic!

*A Creative Adventure team for this expedition -Denise Ippolito, Donna Bourdon and Harold Klein.

Pantanal Wildlife Photo Tour ~ July 23 - 31, 2026

December 15, 2025

Discover the world’s jaguar capital…

This journey takes you deep into the beating heart of Brazil’s Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland on Earth and one of the richest wildlife sanctuaries on the planet. Endless waterways, golden marshlands, and wide-open savannas create the perfect stage for unforgettable encounters: jaguars hunting along the riverbanks, giant otters slicing through the water, capybaras lounging in family groups at the water’s edge, and hyacinth macaws glowing cobalt blue against the sky. Tapirs, anteaters, caimans, and a symphony of birdlife move through the landscape exactly as they have for centuries.

This tour is designed for photographers who want the very best chances of capturing intimate, wild moments, especially of jaguars, while enjoying an immersive, comfortable experience right in the heart of their natural habitat. We have gotten special pricing for this tour and it is already half-way sold out, just through word of mouth.

*This tour will be led by Harold Klein and Donna Bourdon

Pantanal Wildlife Photo Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Cuiabá – Poconé – Porto Jofre

We’ll meet either at the Cuiabá airport or at the hotel. From here, we begin a 100 km journey toward Poconé, the gateway to the Pantanal. Leaving Poconé, we turn off the paved road onto the iconic Transpantaneira highway, a rustic dirt road famous for its wildlife sightings.

As we drive across 122 wooden bridges, keep your eyes open for hawks, storks, capybaras, caimans, and more. Continuing 150 km down the Transpantaneira, we arrive in Porto Jofre and settle into our floating accommodation, a comfortable boat hotel anchored only 5 minutes from the Encontro das Águas State Park, home to the highest concentration of jaguars in the entire Pantanal. This is where our photographic immersion truly begins.

Day 2 – 5: Jaguar Expedition on the Water

Four full days of boat-based safari along the rivers of the Encontro das Águas region. This is the prime habitat for jaguars, and our full-day outings give us the best chances for memorable encounters – jaguars hunting caimans, resting on sandbanks, or patrolling the shoreline. We’ll also photograph giant otters, caimans, birds, and the extraordinary landscape of the Pantanal.

Day 6: Porto Jofre – Pousada Rio Claro

After breakfast we head south, retracing the Transpantaneira toward Poconé. We arrive at Pousada Rio Claro in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy our first game drive across the lodge’s vast private reserve, an incredible area for wildlife photography.

Day 7 – 8: Wildlife & Night Safari at Rio Claro

We spend the entire two days exploring the rich flora and fauna around Pousada Rio Claro. After lunch, our open-truck safari takes us through fields and private forest roads searching for birds, as well as jaguars, giant anteaters, South American coatis, tapirs, armadillos, crab-eating foxes, and many other mammals.

After dinner, we head out again for a night safari, where spotlights reveal a completely different world – nocturnal birds like potoos, nightjars, and owls with haunting red eyes and unique calls. We may also encounter ocelots, foxes, and possibly even jaguars moving under the cover of darkness.

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, we transfer back to Cuiabá airport for your flight home.

DETAILS:

Dates: July 23 - 31 , 2026

Price: $6800
Single supplement $800

This trip has been arranged for 10 participants.

Included

Airport Transfer

Accommodation

All meals

Activities as described

2 Photo guides

Experienced English-speaking guide

Water during the day

Not Included

International flights

Travel insurance, visa

Beverages (soda & alcohol) and snacks

Activities other than described in this itinerary

Deposit Information:
A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 due at sign up. Final payments are due February 30, 2026.via check or wire transfer only, fees on both ends are the responsibility of the participant. Credit cards will not be accepted for any payment other than deposit. Full payments are always welcomed via check or wire transfer . All checks made payable to: Denise Ippolito LLC. Please note that I will do my very best to secure you a room mate; if I am unable to secure you a room mate then you will be charged for a single supplement.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

SIGN UP HERE.