nature's value
The more we understand the wild, the more we value it–and the more likely we are to protect it.
Wild Focus exists to help people develop a deeper connection to wildlife and wild places through knowledge, respect and meaningful experiences. We believe that understanding inspires appreciation, appreciation fosters stewardship, and stewardship helps ensure these remarkable places endure for future generations.
Meet Your Guide
Cody Hoagland
Cody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, professional guide, and educator, whose passion for wildlife and wild places has evolved since 1996 into a lifelong commitment to documenting animals as they truly are–wild, free, and an essential part of the ecosystems they inhabit. For Cody, photography is about more than creating beautiful images–it's about helping people develop a deeper appreciation for wildlife, wild places, and the importance of conservation.
For the last 30 years Yellowstone and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have very much been a second home for Cody. Decades spent studying wildlife behavior, learning the landscape, and building relationships throughout the region have given him an intimate understanding of the animals, ecosystems, and seasonal rhythms that make Yellowstone one of the world's premier wildlife destinations.
As founder of Wild Focus Photography Tours, Cody leads small-group wildlife photography and observation experiences rooted in knowledge, patience, ethics, and respect. He believes the most memorable wildlife experiences aren't found by accident–they are built through experience, observation, and a commitment to understanding the wild on its own terms.
Ethics are at the heart of every Wild Focus experience. Wildlife welfare always comes before the photograph. Respecting natural behavior, maintaining appropriate distances, and prioritizing the well-being of animals are principles that guide every decision in the field. Sometimes the right choice means stepping back, moving on, or sacrificing the image entirely. No photograph is worth compromising the safety of the animal or human.
Cody's passion for wildlife extends beyond guiding and photography. He is deeply commited to conservation, public education, and the long-term protection of wildlife and wild places. Through ongoing learning, community enagement, and support for science-based conservation efforts, he works to help others better undertand the challenges facing wildlife and the importance of protecting the ecosystems that sustain them.
Inspired by the conservation legacies of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt, Cody is passionate about helping others experience beyond simply seeing wildlife to truly understanding it. His belief is the more we understand the wild, the more we value it. And the more we value it, the more likely we are to protect it.
So, whether you're an experienced photographer, a wildlife enthusiast, or a first-time visitor to Yellowstone, the goal is the same: to leave with more than photographs--to leave with a deeper appreciation for the animals, landscapes, and ecosystems that make the American West extraordinary.
Cody's work has been featured in National Geographic, Defenders of Wildlife, Outdoor Photography, local news publications, television programs, and exhibitions. He has received multiple Photo of the Year and Best in Show honors, and continues to share his passion for wildlife through photography, educations and guiding.
A Lifetime in Wildplaces
These images represent years of exploring some of North America's most extraordinary landscapes. Countless years spent throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, returning season after season, have deepened roots of a lifelong passion for these wild places and cultivated a deep understanding of how its landscapes, wildlife, and opportunities evolve throughout the year. For the other remarkable wild places beyond Yellowstone, each photograph reflects the patience, respect, and curiosity that continue to shape every Wild Focus experience. Together, they offer a glimpse into a lifetime of observation, discovery, and a deep connection to the natural world.
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Beyond Wild Focus
While Wild Focus is just getting started online, Cody's photography tells a much longer story.
Explore decades of wildlife images and field experience through his photography portfolio, where you'll find the work that has inspired countless adventures and continues to shape every tour.