Hello, I am planning a trip to Grand Tetons national park the second week of August. I will be travelling solo and going to primarily photograph scenics while I do some hiking. I'd appreciate any info on budget lodging and 'must-see' attractions. I will be up and about very early to avoid crowds. I visited Glacier National park last August and am quite spoiled--it was amazing there! I hope the scenery in Wyoming is comparable! Again, any info is appreciated!

Thanks,

Gus

Gus, while Glacier National Park is more "Canadian" in comparison to Grand Teton National Park, this is the diamond of the Rockies. You will find PLENTY of photo ops in the Tetons! My wife turned into in amature photographer from our first trip there.

Photo suggestions:
Jenny Lake, the mountains,sagebrush, Moose in the early morning, the mountains, bears in mountain lake after a 4 mile hike, weathered turn-of-the century barns and fences, the mountains, elk, buffalo, the mountains...

(I want to go back now, thank you very much!)

Lodging suggestion:
Camp Creek Inn in Hoback Junction, 16-20 miles (?) south of Jackson proper, and Jackson is about 5-8 miles from the south entrance of Grand Teton Park. 9 A-frame single room cabins with a main restaurant and bar lodge. 80-90 bucks a night(?) in summer, with continental breakfast included -- Not exactly a "budget" place, but away from crowded Jackson, and the local ranchers go to this place for a nice dinner out.

Also, I know it will be crowded, but you HAVE to find time to get to Yellowstone for photo ops.

Gus, as a fellow photographer, I would recommend the ranger-led hike to Cascade Canyon. You meet at Jenny Lake at 8 am, then take a boat across the lake to Hidden Falls. The ranger-led tours are always interesting and there will be some great pictures of the Tetons at sunrise. After the tour ends, hike the trail to Lake Solitude for more pictures. Have breakfast at the Jackson Lake Lodge for a perfect panorama of the Tetons. Another ranger-led tour takes you to the top of Signal Mountain for some nice sunset pictures. If you have the time, drive to Pinedale for pictures of the Wind River Range, which are higher and more rugged than the Tetons.

Fear not, the beauty, splendor and majesty of the Tetons is almost beyond description. It is truly a photographer's paradise.

Check out Kelly, Wyoming, which is a speck of a town tucked away on the eastern side of the road to Yellowstone. There's not much of a town, but from the road to Kelly there will be some great vantage shots of the Tetons.
Also, there's a road that forks off the road that leads into the park, a little ways past the Moose entrance. It veers to the left and skirts the Tetons. there are some private residences back there. Anyway, moose like to hang out down near the creek in the willows.
No matter where you'll be, you'll have so many opportunities for great shots. Take plenty of film.

And I thought I was the only one who knew about Kelly. It is indeed a wonderful spot for photo ops. One of my favorite (and I think best) photographs was taken there--a shot of some old buckboards, wagon and the frame of what I assume held the sign for a ranch.
The previous poster is correct when he says take lots of film.
(P.S.: If I remember correctly, the town of Kelly consisted of two or three houses!)