When I first moved to Idaho, I immediately started searching state specific hashtags on my Instagram to get inspiration for all of the unique photography opportunities my new home provided. No matter which hashtag I searched, one Instagram account belonging to a man named Josh Packer kept coming up in the Top Posts section.
Packer hails from Ammon, located in East Idaho. His location gives the full-time CPA and father of three easy access to some of the country’s most photogenic terrain. Just 90-110 miles east lies the twin National Parks of Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Couple that with the exceptional landscapes that surrounds him in Idaho, and Packer is in a landscape photographer’s dreamland.
What I love about where I live in eastern Idaho are the unique landscapes. Whether it be an old barn, railroad tracks, the Tetons, or waterfalls, there’s always something great I can photograph. Even though Idaho doesn’t have any National Parks (by local choice), being so close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park gives me plenty of photographic inspiration year round. But if I am busy with work and family, it’s also nice to be able to photograph sunrise just miles from my home. I really live in a perfect epicenter of landscape photography.
Being fully against Black Friday, I was excited to see that Packer has some of his favorite images of the year being printed in a wall calendar. The only money I choose to spend during Black Friday is to support my fellow artists by purchasing their visually stunning photos that will inspire me to #OptOutside as much as possible. And Packer delivers with his mesmerizing views of Idaho and Wyoming.
To purchase Packer’s calendar, visit his website.
To see more of Packer’s photography, follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
January: Palisades Creek, Idaho
Beautiful morning at Palisades Creek near Irwin after a fresh snow fall. To gain this perspective, I had to sit on the frozen creek hoping it wouldn’t break underneath of me.
February: Schwabacher Landing, Wyoming
After waiting for several hours for the clouds to break at Schwabacher Landing, the sun came out to create this colorful scene after sunset.
March: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
While freezing my fingers off this frigid morning, I stood in the road to capture this magnificent road scene of the Tetons near Grand Teton National Park at first light.
April: Ammon, Idaho
This is one of my favorite railroad tracks to photograph in Ammon, Idaho. I saw this awesome sunset coming and drove as quickly as I could before the sun set.
May: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
I woke up well before sunrise and drove 2 hours to photograph the wildflowers in Grand Teton National Park. I was pleasantly surprised with this colorful sunrise behind the Tetons.
June: John Moulton Barn, Wyoming
One of the most famous barns in all of America to photograph, the John Moulton Barn lived up to the hype this serene summer morning.
July: Upper Mesa Falls, Idaho
After researching how to get below Upper Mesa Falls, a buddy and I hiked down below the falls to capture this unique perspective of the amazing waterfall.
August: Island Park, Idaho
This place has a special meaning to me as this shot was taken at my family cabin. I had planned this shot of the Milky Way for a while, and the clear night came through for me to capture this scene.
September: Ririe, Idaho
I happened to stumble upon this rural homestead near Ririe, Idaho, and it’s definitley not a bad place to catch the sunset. I love being out in the country and have places like this all to myself.
October: Palisades Reservoir, Idaho
Palisades Reservoir is one of the top places in Idaho to catch the fall colors. This last fall, I found a group of quaking aspens surrounded by red, and it was a moment I had to photograph.
November: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
On my way back through Grand Teton National Park during a frosty morning, I stumbled upon a bunch of bison and flipped around to snap a few photos of this bison in front of the Tetons.
December: Schwabacher Landing, Wyoming
Upon arriving at Schwabacher Landing and finding the water was frozen, I was slightly disappointed there wouldn’t be a reflection. However, the frozen ice created a unique and tranquil scene with the Tetons.
