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The Passion of Wildlife Photography

I’ve also been enamored with wild animals; for every hour I spent watching those programs, I spent two or three times that number reading about the habits and lives of whatever animals I was infatuated with on that particular day. One day it might be the great brown bears of the Alaska coast, or the jaguar of the Amazon. The next it might be the Grey kangaroos I saw so regularly on my weekend hikes in the hills nearby our house.

I don’t know why. Probably for a whole host of reasons, and then for a whole host more. There’s always been some fascinating draw toward wild animals for me.

At the end of the day, that’s why I pursue wildlife photography—because the subject itself fascinates me. The elements of photography that are enmeshed within that, the technical elements of cameras and lenses and digital processing, the compositional rules of visual arts, the creative desire, the goal of making a great photo, are all secondary. For me, wildlife photography is all about the subject. Taking a great, abstract, wonderfully crafted image in perfect light of a rusted pickup truck just doesn’t matter to me.

A friend, Andy, told me at a party one night, years and years ago, when we were discussing different approaches I might make to becoming a professional photographer, ‘dude, forget that sh**—shoot your passion’ . I realized then and there I’d never be a wedding photographer, a glamor photographer, a photographer of architecture, sports, etc. I’m simply not inspired by those subjects like I am wild animals. I can point my lens toward them, but I don’t really care about them. I can’t imagine I’d ever do a very good job at shooting those things, were I to give it my best whirl. They just don’t hold me the same way wildlife does.

Wildlife photography excites me, because wildlife excites me. The “photography” part of it is peripheral. Whether my camera is in hand or not, I can sit and watch a herd of caribou move over the tundra, or a bald eagle sit in a Cottonwood tree, or an elk move through the woods, and I still experience that same childlike sense of awe that I had all those years ago.

This winter I saw a wolverine. I didn’t get a chance to photograph it, but just seeing that creature was a huge thrill for me. I had seen one previously, so in just a few fleeting moments I’d doubled my wolverine sightings. This one ran right by me as I drove down the road, passing within just a few feet from my vehicle. I could count the hairs on his head.

Even after it disappeared into the woods nearby, and was long gone, I still felt that rush of excitement. I photographed his tracks in the fresh snow, then followed his course across the frozen lake, through the mix of willow and alder that rose from the shoreline.

I followed over the fallen spruce boughs, and back outside the forest along the lake’s edge, before veering off back amongst the trees and ascending up the insanely steep ridge, where only a fool would follow.

I followed, of course, scrambling up the mountain, through snow 2-3 feet deep, stumbling in the soft power, half rising only to stumble again. I tripped over countless buried logs, caught my breath, placed my feet beneath me, and raggedly forced my way upward another five yards. Repeat.

Sure, I was hoping I’d get to see the wolverine again. I’d have loved the opportunity to photograph him. But mostly I wanted to experience him again. I wanted to watch his gambling lope, ogle his amazing ability to float over the powder, to witness that wicked grin as he raced by me.

I didn’t seem to feel the minus 35 degree temperature at the time. The world seems to suddenly be a much warmer place when a wolverine comes to visit. Why? I have no idea. I simply know that the experience of seeing a wild animal, of coming to know his world, even to some tiny degree, excites me.

I followed his tracks yet again, to learn the course he’d taken, see the choices he’d made, to live in his world, even if only for a few minutes. I headed back to the road where he’d leaped over the guard rail and raced across the lake. Curious, I examined his tracks. I looked at the size of those feet; the front track was well over six inches long, and nearly three inches wide. A big boy, with feet like snowshoes, spread almost comically wide to avoid sinking in the soft snow. Each impression sank barely a couple of inches into the powder, while I stood mired in the snow, buried nearly to mid-thigh.

I studied the placement of the two rear feet, side by side, surprised at the the short, almost truncated stride his bouncy, leaping gait yielded; more of a double-footed hop than a step, really. That unique mustelid 2×2 track, moving the rear feet together, then the front feet, and on across the snow. Here and there were the marks his tail had made, dragging in the snow behind him.

I returned to my vehicle, out of breath, feeling foolishly childish and covered in snow. What a great day—I just saw a wolverine! Now, where was my camera?

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One thought on “ The Passion of Wildlife Photography ”

Great story Carl! Those “A” list sightings do stir the soul, don’t they? Have a great summer.

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Introduction to Wildlife Photography: A Guide for Beginners

Wildlife photography is one of the most exciting photographic genres out there. But it can be difficult to get started as a wildlife photographer because of all the gear, technical know-how, and additional knowledge required.

That’s what this article is all about. You’re going to discover all the basics you need to get started in wildlife photography–so you can get started taking gorgeous wildlife shots as soon as possible.

Sound good?

Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents

What is Wildlife Photography?

Wildlife photography is a popular genre of photography done by beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals alike. It involves shooting any type of animal (from birds to insects to butterflies to mammals). But wildlife photographers most commonly photograph mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

Introduction to Wildlife Photography: A Guide for Beginners 1

And that’s what I’ll focus on in this article. If you like to photograph insects, you can still call yourself a wildlife photographer. But I recommend you check out a macro photography tutorial instead, where the needs of insect photographers are catered to.

See also : Wildlife Photography Tutorials

Note that wildlife photos don’t have to depict animals that are truly “wild.” You can photograph animals in a zoo, and plenty of viewers will still call it wildlife photography. But there is an ongoing debate among wildlife photographers about whether photographing captive animals is acceptable, and so it’s for you to determine where you draw the line.

Why Wildlife Photography?

What makes wildlife photography special?

1. Appreciating Nature

First of all, photographing wildlife helps you connect with and appreciate nature. That’s what draws many wildlife photographers in the first place–they love wildlife , nature, and want to spend time capturing its beauty.

2. Helping the Planet

Wildlife photography can also be valuable for conservation purposes. By sharing your wildlife photos, you can portray the beauty of nature. And you can convey messages about the importance of maintaining habitats for your favorite creatures.

3. Feeling a Thrill

Finally, photographing wild animals involves a fun challenge. You may spend hours waiting and watching, with no real action. Then, just before the light fades, you get an amazing opportunity–one that comes with an incredible thrill.

Types of Wildlife Photography

There are three broad types of wildlife photography, though plenty of wildlife photographers participate in all of them:

1. Mammal Photography

First, mammals are what most people think of when you talk about wildlife, and so mammal photography is closely associated with wildlife photographers. This category includes a lot of the classic wildlife subjects: polar bears, black/brown bears, wolves, bison, elk, deer, lions, tigers, etc.

Mammal Photography - Brown Bear in Mountains

2. Bird Photography

Second, bird photography has quite a few devotees, many of whom confine themselves solely to birds. Because birds are so small and fast, bird photography often involves the most expensive equipment (and a lot of frustration in the field!).

Bird Photography - Eagle in Flight Hunting

3. Underwater Photography

Third, underwater photography is a less talked about but still impressive subgenre of wildlife photography. Photographers like Paul Nicklen capture gorgeous photos of orcas, sharks, seals, penguins, and more.

Main Challenges of Wildlife Photography

Photographing wildlife can be tricky for a few key reasons.

1. Getting Close to Wildlife

In order to capture beautiful photos of wildlife, you have to be close.

Really, really close.

It’s a common misconception that super telephoto lenses (lenses with focal lengths of 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, and even 800mm) will get you incredibly close to your subject. But the truth is that even the longest lenses still require some pretty significant skill on your part because most animals are skittish, and you have to find a way to close the distance.

Getting Close to Wildlife - Lone Male Deer

This is the biggest challenge that wildlife photographers face. Therefore, getting close is the number one concern of the wildlife photographer; it involves several key considerations, including getting close physically (by stalking, using a blind, etc.) and getting close optically (with a camera/lens combination).

2. Finding Wildlife to Photograph

Even if you have the skills necessary to get close to wildlife, you won’t capture a single photograph if you can’t find wildlife to shoot!

Fortunately, it’s possible to find wildlife in most areas. But you do have to be patient, and you have to know where to look.

See also : Best Lens for Bird Photography

One of the easiest ways to get started with photographing wildlife is at a local park or preserve. Depending on your location, you may be able to capture some very cool wildlife just minutes from your house.

If you’re struggling to find wildlife near you, I recommend contacting some local park rangers or naturalists. They should be able to direct you toward some good habitat in your area, even if you think there is none!

Finding Wildlife to Photograph - Deer in the mountains

3. Working With the Available Light

Wildlife photography generally happens out in nature, where you can’t bring your off-camera flashes, and your on-camera flashes are often too weak to illuminate wildlife from a distance.

See also : Best Camera for Wildlife Photography

So you’re often stuck dealing with the available light.

Add to that the fact that most wildlife is active around dawn and dusk…

…and you’ve got yourself a problem.

This is why wildlife photographers use the fastest lenses they can afford and why photographing wildlife is so frequently frustrating.

Related : How and When to Use Fast Shutter Speed

The key is take failure in stride. You’ll have plenty of bad days–but the good days will make it all worth it.

4. Dealing With Tricky Conditions

Some of the best wildlife shots are taken in adverse conditions: wind, rain, snow, sleet, you name it.

And if you want to capture memorable images, you’ll probably want to brave the conditions, too.

See also : Wildlife Photography on a Budget

But this can be tough. Trekking through a snowstorm can be physically demanding, not to mention dangerous for your camera gear (and you!). So you have to be prepared, and you have to be determined!

Finding Wildlife to Photograph - Fox in Winter

How to Start With Wildlife Photography

If you’re looking to get into wildlife photography, you’ll want to start by getting the required gear. I don’t recommend you start off with a super telephoto lens and high end camera, but you should look for a DSLR or a mirrorless option and aim for a lens that offers at least 300mm on the long end (and 400mm is better).

Note that wildlife photography is one of the genres where an APS-C camera is a great choice, because the crop-factor will give you extra reach.

Once you have a decent camera and long lens, it’s time to get out and start shooting. As mentioned above, a local nature preserve or park is great for getting your bearings and practicing with your equipment. I recommend you practice stalking, where you slowly get close to animals (without causing them stress).

See also : Best Settings For Wildlife Photography

You might also consider visiting local animal sanctuaries, where you can photograph wildlife in relatively calm situations.

Over time, you’ll build up confidence, and you can start to go on expeditions that are farther away and take more planning, skill, and effort.

See also : Best Lens for Wildlife Photography

But always remember that plenty of great shots are available nearby–maybe even in your own backyard!

Wildlife Photography | Conclusion

Wildlife photography is a challenge but also a lot of fun. If you’re looking to get started as a natural photographer, just remember the wildlife photography tips I’ve given you, get out, and start practicing!

Articles Related to “Introduction to Wildlife Photography: A Guide for Beginners“

by Jaymes Dempsey

Wildlife Photography: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Daniel Wright

Last updated:

March 21, 2024
See comments

Wildlife photography is an art that requires patience, skill, and a keen eye for detail. Whether you are a beginner wildlife photographer shooting squirrels in a local park or the photographer of the year heading to the Arctic to track polar bears, this ultimate guide covers the subjects you need to enhance your skills.

You’ll find wildlife photography tips and tricks to help you capture exceptionally good images of nature and wildlife. Learn about the best camera gear to use, how to choose the ideal location for your shoot, and techniques to ensure that your wildlife photos are stunning.

In addition, you’ll get an overview of camera settings, composition, and how to approach animals safely, along with some thoughts on ethical photography in the natural world.

What is Wildlife Photography?

This is a genre of photography that captures images of animals in their natural habitat. That may be in the jungle, on the frozen tundra, or maybe underwater. Wildlife photography often integrates action or movement, such as a jaguar running or a pelican in flight. It can also invoke powerful emotions with wild animals caring for their young or locked in a life-or-death struggle.

Many photographers do not consider animals in a zoo, aquariums, or other forms of captivity to be wildlife. The animals don’t behave as they would in the wild. They’re being fed instead of hunting for food, and they don’t face the dangers of their natural habitat.

Still, you can come away from a zoo or aquarium with nice photographs. But you should call those images zoo photos or animal photos, not wildlife photographs.

How to Dress for Photographing Wildlife?

When venturing out into the wild, it’s important to dress for the conditions. Choose clothes that are comfortable and breathable. It’s a good idea to wear layers that can be easily removed or added as needed. And don’t forget comfortable footwear with a good grip to navigate through nature safely.

Camouflage clothing or neutral colors such as brown, khaki, and green are great options since they blend in with the surroundings and won’t startle the animals.

wildlife photographer dressed for cold weather.

While some animals are color-blind, others such as monkeys, squirrels, and birds see a good range of colors. Avoid bright colors or busy patterns that could distract or scare off your subjects.

Dress appropriately, whether it’s a hot or cold location, wet or dry setting. Also, know the weather forecast and be prepared for bad weather. Equipped with proper attire and knowledge of the conditions, you can focus on getting the perfect shots of wildlife.

Know Where Animals Live and How to Find Them

As a photographer, knowing the animals and their habitat is essential to shooting great wildlife photos. Understanding animal behavior helps you anticipate their movements and capture breathtaking moments.

For instance, taking the time to learn about the habits of birds can lead to stunning photos of them in flight, interacting with other birds, or perched on a branch.

Meanwhile, gaining local knowledge about the environment helps you choose the best light and background to enhance your subject. Whether it’s an African safari, a national park, or a city zoo, research improves your chances of capturing the perfect shot.

So, take the time to get to know your subjects and their surroundings. Be prepared, and you will experience the thrill of wildlife photography and the satisfaction of capturing animal photos.

Approach Animals Safely

Understand that you’re dealing with wild animals. They’re very different from household pets and other domesticated animals.

Here’s an Important Tip: know which animals are dangerous. You want to be cautious around certain species that may view you as a meal or a threat. Many have powerful jaws and sharp teeth, which evolved to tear food and defend themselves. Wild animals stay in survival mode.

Maintain a safe distance. Of course, that’s a relative term. The safe distance for a deer may be 30 yards, but for a tiger or jaguar, it could be several hundred yards. Respect their speed. Bears appear slow, but they can top 30 miles per hour for short distances. A jaguar is capable is hitting 50 miles per hour.

Animals are protective of their offspring. A ranger at a national park in Virginia told me that if I see bear cubs, I look around and locate the mama bear. He added that if I get between a mama bear and her cubs, the bear will respond as if I am a threat. No doubt this applies to other species as well.

Some animals become aggressive when they mate. In North America, the bull moose is notoriously bad-tempered during mating season. On the African continent, a bull elephant intent on finding a mate is extremely dangerous to anything that is not a female elephant.

Talk to park rangers, safari guides, wildlife experts, and other photographers who can share their experience and knowledge. You can find out how to approach wildlife safely and not have to learn the hard way.

Many wildlife photographers seek to capture stunning moments of nature. But that can take a great deal of patience, perseverance, and endurance. Whether it takes little more than an hour or waiting all day in frigid conditions, traveling thousands of miles, or revisiting a place over several years, you may need to go to great lengths to photograph wildlife.

wildlife photographer at sunset with elk.

When you are in an animal habitat, approach slowly and cautiously. In addition to your personal safety, you don’t want to scare away your subjects. Some professional wildlife photographers suggest that you approach animals indirectly. Take a diagonal or circular path, be quiet, and take your time.

However, even with meticulous planning and research, the unpredictability of wild animals means photographers must remain constantly alert and flexible. Expect the unexpected.

Patience is key when it comes to wildlife photography, but a single shot can make all the waiting worthwhile. Be prepared and be patient.

The Best Time for Capturing Wildlife Photos

The best time to photograph wildlife is early morning or twilight. Often called the golden hours, these times offer the most compelling light and good opportunities to spot wildlife. You also avoid the midday sun and the harsh shadows it creates.

Diurnal animals, or animals that sleep at night and are active during the day, will be searching for food in the morning. These include elephants, butterflies, squirrels, deer, and many birds.

Animals that are active during the early evening hours include bears, big cats such as tigers, moose, foxes, and smaller animals like mice and bees.

Nocturnal animals are most active at night: bats, leopards, bears, raccoons, many reptiles, and wolves are busy at night. However, photographing animals at night can be particularly challenging.

A little research on the animals in your location will help you determine the best times to find them.

The Camera and Lens Combination for Wildlife Photography

Capturing the perfect shot of wildlife can be a challenging feat, but having the right camera and lens, in most cases a long lens, can make a big difference.

I began shooting wildlife photos with a Nikon D7100 and a Nikkor 70-300 mm lens. That’s a decent camera body, but the lens was an older model with slow auto-focus. Also, it was a bit soft in the 200-300 mm range.

Recently, I upgraded to a Nikon Z5 with a 24-200 mm lens. I sacrificed a little reach, but I got faster auto-focus and a lens capable of delivering a sharp image throughout the zoom range.

Good Gear is Critical

When it comes to wildlife photography, the great moments are fleeting. A camera with a fast autofocus system and burst mode capabilities is essential. Long lenses, such as a telephoto or super-telephoto lens, allow you to get close to your subject without disturbing them.

Additionally, a fast lens performs well when you want to shoot at first light of morning or in the golden hour of evening. Investing in a high-quality camera and lens improves the technical quality of a photo. Also, you gain control over the creative aspects of your photography.

Zoom lenses are widely used in wildlife photography because of their flexibility. However, a prime lens with a fixed focal length of 400 mm or greater and a fast aperture is a good option. It can yield images that are better in terms of clarity and color rendition.

Also, you want to pack extra batteries, memory cards, a cleaning kit, sunscreen, bug repellent, and a large plastic bag to wrap around your camera in case of sudden rain.

A Good Canon Kit

The Canon 5D Mark IV body paired with a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L II lens is an excellent combination for wildlife photography. To further increase your reach, a 2x extender doubles the focal length, turning that zoom lens into a more powerful 140-400 mm lens.

photographer with canon camera and telephoto lens.

A real game-changer is the Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L lens for super-fast, super-tight close-ups or capturing animals in motion. With the right equipment in your camera bag, capturing great photos of wildlife is well within your reach.

Hunt With a Nikon

Nikon offers a range of options that deliver both impressive performance and affordability for wildlife photographers.

Their DSLR models, like the D5600, come equipped with fast autofocus systems, high-speed continuous shooting, and advanced features to adapt to changing conditions.

Additionally, Nikon’s mirrorless cameras, such as the Z50 offer similar performance benefits in a more compact body. Pair either camera with a high-quality lens, like a Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8, and you’ll bring home amazing wildlife images without breaking the bank.

A Sony Designed for Wildlife Images

Shooting wildlife requires precision and skill, and the Sony A9 II makes the job easier. With its impressive 24.2 MP full frame sensor and 20 frames per second burst, it tracks different animals with precise detail.

Attach a Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6, and you cover a range from general purpose to telephoto. It’s small enough and light enough that you can carry it for long periods and shoot hand-held when necessary.

An impressive camera/lens combination enables you to turn awe-inspiring moments in nature into great shots.

Stabilize Your Camera With a Tripod or Monopod

Two options for minimizing camera shake are a tripod or a monopod. A sturdy tripod is great for getting steady shots in a stationary position, while a monopod provides added mobility when you need to move or change angles quickly.

wildlife photographer with telephoto lens and tripod.

Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your needs and the particular challenges of the environment you’re shooting in. A quality tripod or monopod is a good investment for a wildlife photographer for image stabilization .

Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography

A thorough understanding of your camera settings will help you capture the beauty of the animals you are photographing.

Balance the Exposure Triangle

You have to balance the three legs of the exposure triangle .

Shutter Speed : You want a fast shutter speed to eliminate motion blur. Animals move quickly, and freezing their movement requires a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500 second. Faster-moving creatures require an even faster shutter speed .

Aperture : An aperture setting that renders sufficient depth of field to get the entire animal in focus.

ISO : ISO is a critical factor, as wildlife photography often takes place during dawn or dusk and in low light conditions. Auto ISO allows for flexibility with aperture and shutter speed. It can be challenging. However, today’s cameras allow you to shoot at high ISO values and still come away with low noise photos.

Camera Modes

Some photographers set the camera to Shutter Priority mode , selecting the shutter speed manually and letting the camera auto-adjust aperture and ISO.

Other wildlife photographers shoot in Aperture Priority mode . You take manual control of the aperture and the camera automatically determines shutter speed.

Autofocus Modes

For wildlife in motion, set your camera to Continuous or Servo mode. In this setting, the camera continues to focus while you half-press the shutter button or use back button focus . Constant focusing is essential for wildlife moving quickly and erratically.

Deciding on single point autofocus or utilizing multiple points of autofocus may take some experimentation. Find out what works best for the situation you’re in. If the animal is stationary, I recommend single point. For animals in motion , multiple points of the autofocus system give you a larger window for tracking.

Many modern cameras feature program buttons to quickly select different autofocus modes. This allows you to change focus modes while keeping an eye in the viewfinder.

Lastly, utilizing burst mode will allow you to capture multiple shots in succession, increasing your chances of getting that perfect shot.

Metering Modes

For photographing animals in the wild, I recommend two metering modes .

Measuring light across the entire frame is called Matrix metering by Nikon, Evaluative metering by Canon, and Multi metering by Sony. In this mode, the camera measures light across the frame and provides a final metering value; however, this mode is biased to the autofocus point. That makes it the go-to metering mode for most wildlife photography.

Spot metering , a name where Nikon, Canon, and Sony agree, measures light over a small area of the frame. This metering mode measures about 4-5 percent of the frame. Many cameras allow you to move the spot metering area by moving the focus point. With some, you can also choose the size of the spot.

In either of these modes, the camera identifies the focus point as the primary area to meter the light.

Master your camera settings, and you will be able to capture wildlife photos in a variety of situations.

Composition Tips for Wildlife Photography

One of the most important aspects of capturing wildlife images, or any type of photography, is composing your shot effectively. Composition is the arrangement of visual components within a photograph. This includes placement of your subjects, along with lighting, framing, and other factors.

When it comes to wildlife photography, composition makes the difference between a mediocre snapshot and a breathtaking photo. A well-composed photograph captures the animal’s natural beauty, habitat, and character. It makes the viewer feel as though they are right there in the moment.

It’s important to understand the basic principles of composition and how to use them in the field. By using leading lines, framing, rule of thirds, cropping, backlighting, and other techniques, you can create images that truly stand out.

1. Leading Lines

Leading lines are a powerful tool in wildlife photography. These can be anything from a winding river to a tree branch, drawing the viewer’s attention to the subject of the photo.

wildlife photo of owl on wire with leading lines.

By allowing leading lines to guide the eye, photographers can tell a more immersive story. In addition, leading lines create depth in an image, adding dimension and perspective, elevating a wildlife photo to a work of art.

Another wildlife photography tip is framing. Again, how to best highlight the subject. For example, use branches, leaves, or even rocks to create a natural border around the main subject.

Alternatively, frame the animal using negative space , allowing it to stand out against a plain background.

Whatever your approach, the key is to experiment and find what works best for the specific situation you’re in. With careful use of framing in your wildlife photography, you can create images that are not only technically sound but visually stunning.

3. Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds creates impact in photography. Instead of placing the subject in the center of the frame, divide your picture into thirds both horizontally and vertically, creating nine equal boxes. Then, position the subject where the lines meet.

This creates a visually balanced image and draws the viewer’s eye directly to the animal. Keep in mind that the rule of thirds is just a guideline, but it creates impact in your wildlife photos.

Feel free to break this rule when centering the animal leads to a more compelling image.

wildlife photo of pelican in flight with centering.

4. Cropping to Enhance Composition

Creative cropping elevates the impact of an image. You may do this in-camera or in post production. You remove the unwanted portions of an image, creating a stronger composition.

This balances the elements of the picture and draws the viewer’s attention to the key elements of the photograph.

Cropping eliminates distractions, improves the framing, and makes the animal stand out. Also, it can create a sense of intimacy, allowing the viewer to connect with the animal or bird more intensely.

Done with a good eye, cropping improves the overall quality of the image.

5. Backlighting

Backlighting adds drama and contrast to wildlife photography. With the sun or other light source behind your subject, the shape and form is highlighted against a beautiful glow.

With creative use of exposure settings, you can create silhouettes, adding an element of mystery and intrigue to your photos.

By incorporating backlighting and silhouettes into your wildlife photography, you can capture the unique beauty of the creatures you’re photographing.

6. Photograph the Animals in Their Habitat

Showcase the vastness of their territory by capturing an animal or a group of animals from a distance. Using a wide angle lens, photographers depict the animals’ natural habitat and call attention to the importance of preserving it. You can showcase the beauty of nature, as well as the issue of shrinking habitat that many of these animals face.

By capturing wildlife in their natural setting, the viewer is able to appreciate the beauty of these creatures and the significance of protecting their environment.

pronghorn on savannah showing environment.

7. Desaturate Your Wildlife Photos

Wildlife photography in black and white can produce breathtaking images. By removing the color, the focus is on the textures, patterns, and shapes. The dramatic contrast between black and white can bring out the intensity and beauty of the wildlife.

From the intricate stripes of a zebra to the haunting stare of a wolf, black and white photography has the power to evoke emotion.

wildlife image of wolf in black and white.

The Ethics of Wildlife Photography

National Geographic has listed three principles for the wildlife photographer: “Do no harm, keep it wild, and follow the laws.” National Geographic also addresses the issue of photographing animals in captivity, something a professional wildlife photographer would discourage.

Ethics for photographing wildlife begins with “respect for the birds and their environment,” according to the National Audubon Society . Of course, Audubon concentrates on birds, but the principles apply to all wildlife. The welfare of the animals and their habitat takes priority over the desire for a photograph.

ethical wildlife photography with penguins.

Don’t disturb or stress the animals, especially when nesting. Avoid lures. Don’t feed or bait wildlife with scents or food. Also, don’t chase or surprise wild animals for the sake to getting a picture. Show respect for people and property.

In practice, ethics in the wild begins with awareness and empathy. As our growing population encroaches on animal habitat, more species face extinction. As we venture into the animal world to capture that great image, “do no harm” should be our goal.

Post Production for Wildlife Photos

After you load your wildlife images in your computer software, begin with a plan. Study the photograph and ask what and where is the action? What is the story you wish to convey?

Crop the image to highlight that action and advance the story. Eliminate distracting elements or anything that doesn’t contribute to the story. During crop, you can make use of the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, or other compositional principles to achieve your goal.

After the crop, do you have sufficient resolution for this to be a useful photograph? If not, you may be able to salvage the photo using Lightroom’s Enhance function. This employs Artificial Intelligence to double the width and height of the photo. That means the enhanced photo has four times the resolution of the cropped original.

Make the basic adjustments to exposure, white balance, blacks and whites. You may also want to experiment with lens profiles. Then, dial in noise reduction as needed.

At this point, you may – or may not – want to convert the image to monochrome. Trust your artistic vision to make this decision. Does color or black and white advance the story?

Fine tune the image with adjustments to shadows, highlights, saturation, etc. These are global adjustments. From there, you may want to tailor specific areas of the image using Photoshop’s Adjustment Brush, Clone Tool, Healing Brush, and other functions.

Use your imagination, then dig into the features of Lightroom, Photoshop, or your favorite post production software and create a dramatic and majestic final image.

Wildlife fascinates many photographers who strive to capture the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom. Photographers combine their skills, knowledge, and gear to produce images of animals in their natural habitats.

These moments are both striking and poignant. From eagles soaring across the sky to elephants ambling through the savanna, wildlife photography is a window into the natural world. It is breathtaking and educational.

Through the lens of a skilled photographer, we see the details of animal life, the struggle to survive, and the behavior of the creatures that share our planet. Whether it’s to raise environmental awareness, call attention to an endangered species, or simply to appreciate the beauty of nature, wildlife photography is a truly great art form.

I hope the tips covered in this article help you in your pursuit of wildlife photography or inspire you to give it a try. If you have any questions or experiences to share, please include them in the comments section below.

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April 13, 2024

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Exploring why we photograph animals – in pictures

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A new collection of wildlife photography aims to help understand why people have photographed animals at different points in history and what it means in the present. Huw Lewis-Jones explores the animal in photography through the work of more than 100 photographers in Why We Photograph Animals , supporting the images with thematic essays to provide historical context

Photography on display at the Cheltenham science festival 4-9 June 2024

Matt Fidler

Mon 15 Apr 2024 07.00 BST Last modified on Mon 15 Apr 2024 23.36 BST

Tree swallow, Grand Teton national park, 2019

Photograph: Xavi Bou/Thames & Hudson

Dalmatian puppies, from the series Dog Gods, 2010

Photograph: Tim Flach/Thames & Hudson

Flora Aiken, of the Iñupiaq, gives thanks to the first bowhead whale of the spring season, from the series People of the Whale, 2017

Photograph: Kiliii Yuyan/Thames & Hudson

A seven-month-old cheetah in the back of an SUV hisses at a rescuer’s outstretched hand, western Somaliland, 2020

Photograph: Nichole Sobecki/Thames & Hudson

Hengifoss sheep, Iceland, 2017

Photograph: John Bozinov/Thames & Hudson

Arctic fox stealing a snow goose egg, Wrangel Island, 2011

Photograph: Sergey Gorshkov/Thames & Hudson

Tiger rangers study photos to identify individuals for conservation efforts and to combat wildlife crime, Thailand, 2010

Photograph: Steve Winter/Thames & Hudson

Honeybees colonise a black woodpecker nest cavity, Germany, 2019

Photograph: Ingo Arndt Photography/Thames & Hudson

Honeybees begin colonising a black woodpecker nest cavity.

Children with orangutans, Denmark, 2016

Photograph: Jo-Anne McArthur/Thames & Hudson

Children look through a zoo window at orangutans, Denmark, 2016

African elephant at the edge of Victoria Falls, Zambia, 2007

Photograph: Marsel van Oosten/Thames & Hudson

The Tweets, a trio of budgerigars, Canberra, Australia, 2018

Photograph: Leila Jeffries/Thames & Hudson

Park ranger and a school of bigeye trevally, Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, 2015

Photograph: Anuar Patjane/Thames & Hudson

The Cobra Feast, Jaipur, India, 2016

Photograph: Claire Rosen/Thames & Hudson

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How to photograph wildlife ethically

Putting the well-being of animals first should be every photographer’s goal. National Geographic photographers share tips on how they do it.

Photographers have unprecedented tools, opportunities, and reach to find their animal subjects.

At the same time, wild animals are facing unprecedented threats to their survival. Habitat loss, climate change, the illegal wildlife trade, overfishing, and pollution have caused the catastrophic decline of birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians over the last few decades. A recent United Nations report found that one in four species faces extinction . In addition, modern society’s disconnect from nature presents its own threat, one of a culture of indifference. We lead virtual lives, plugged into devices instead of the outdoors.

Wildlife photography has the power to turn people on to the wonder of nature. It’s an essential tool to inspire the desire to protect wildlife and spark real change. Photos can go viral on social media in mere minutes, bringing much-needed attention to wildlife in the throes of crisis.

At the same time, social media throws together those who seek to visually capture nature in honest, careful ways with those who take shortcuts at the expense of the subject, intent only on more likes and followers. Viewers can’t tell the difference.

So what does it mean to be an ethical wildlife photographer?

“The ethics of photography are the same as the ethics of life, and all revolve around respect,” says National Geographic photographer Beverly Joubert , who has spent decades photographing African wildlife. There are few one-size-fits-all rules and lots of gray areas. What is ethical to one may be unethical to another. We must be guided by compassion and conservation and put the welfare of the subject first.

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Though there is no guidebook, there are a few basic principles that can help make the way clearer.

1. Do no harm

Do not destroy or alter habitat for a better view or scene.
Let animals go about their business. Do not seek their attention or interaction.
Take special care at breeding season.
Know the signs of stress of your subject species.

There’s no question we have an impact when we venture into wildlife’s territory. We seek or stumble onto their roosts and dens, their feeding and gathering places. Does that mean we shouldn’t ever get out there and raise our cameras? Absolutely not. Nature needs our stories, now more than ever. But nature also needs us to come in with a heightened level of awareness of our effects.

a cheetah surrounded by tourist vehicles

A crush of tourists try to photograph a cheetah in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. The presence of humans can disturb an animal’s ability to engage in natural behaviors.

National Geographic Photo Ark founder and photographer Joel Sartore emphasizes that the first principle must be “do no harm.” On a basic level, it means not destroying habitat to make for a more picturesque scene. It means not causing wildlife to stop hunting, eating, and resting, or to threaten or charge you.

Breeding season requires special care. Avoid actions that might result in driving parents away from the young, which leaves them open to predators and the elements. Never alter vegetation around nests or dens, as it provides critical camouflage as well as protection from sun, wind, and rain.

We must continuously observe animal behavior and realize when we need to back off or walk away. Reading up in advance and being educated about wildlife behavior is the best means we have to recognize alarm or avoidance in a particular species.

2. Keep it wild

Be cautious about feeding wildlife.
Avoid habituating wild animals to humans’ presence.

The kindest thing we can do for wild animals is to honor their wildness. The quickest way to compromise that wildness is to offer food so we can get a photo. Yellowstone National Park’s website plainly states: “A fed animal is a dead animal—good or bad, the Park Service will destroy animals that are habituated to human contact and food.”

Predators such as foxes, coyotes, wolves, bears, owls, and other raptors learn rapidly to associate humans with food. They may get comfortable approaching humans for food, and if they get too bold or aggressive, wildlife agencies often kill them. Animals may come also to haunt roadsides, as many people feed them from cars, putting them at risk of becoming roadkill. ( Learn more about problems associated with feeding wildlife. )

What of the wild bears, wolves, and wolverines in places like Romania and Finland, offered food near blinds for photographers within? This has become big business in eastern and northern Europe. The only downside observed so far is that it’s more manufactured than reality: Those photos of bears and wolves hanging out together as “friends” is only possible because they simply happen to be near so much food they don’t come to blows over it.

National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry captured this great white shark swimming in waters off the Neptune Islands, in South Australia. Chumming, or baiting sharks with fish, allows divers to see them in the wild, but the long-term impacts on shark behavior are unknown. Read more about chumming here.

So when is it OK to use food to lure photographic subjects? There’s no straight answer, but these questions can help guide you.

Is feeding this animal likely to change its behavior in harmful ways? If it lives in or migrates to an area where it’s hunted, feeding it may habituate it to humans and make it an easy target. Or it may become too bold in approaching people for food, which might lead to wildlife managers killing it.
Is the food appropriate and safely provided? For example, providing bird feeders means taking on the responsibilities of cleaning them regularly to avoid the spread of viruses and parasites, placing them at the prescribed distance from windows to avoid strikes, and keeping cats indoors.
Does feeding this animal violate any laws? It’s illegal to feed wildlife in national parks. Most states have laws prohibiting the feeding of certain wildlife, such as deer, bears, and moose in New York. Even local municipalities may have their own ordinances. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment.

3. Follow the laws

Laws vary by location and species.
Laws vary depending on the purpose and method of photography.

It’s crucial to learn and heed laws and regulations in local, state, and national parks, such as how much distance to keep between us and particular species. These exist to keep us and the wildlife safe. There’s no shortage of news stories about tourists who ignored national parks’ rules on distance and got injured. In many cases, the animal must be put down.

In any park or other protected area, if we plan on making commercial photography, guiding workshops, or deploying camera traps, we’re required to obtain the necessary permits. This includes marine protected areas.

Zebras run across the plains in Namibia, disturbed by the photographer’s paraglider. Before the advent of drones, it was difficult to get any aerial views of wildlife bothering the animals.

A "microcopter" captures a lioness and her cubs resting among a rocky outcrop in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. The family is undisturbed by the presence of this drone.

Use of drones around wildlife is a controversial topic, and laws vary widely. They're not allowed in U.S. national parks, wilderness areas, and nature preserves. And for those places where they are allowed, we must still consider their effects on the wildlife. A well-known 2015 study documented the effect of drones on the heart rates of black bears in Minnesota. Though there were no outward signs of stress, bears’ heart rates rose as much as 123 beats per minute above the pre-flight baseline when a drone was present. ( Learn the dark truth behind the "inspirational" bear video that really wasn't. )

A total solar eclipse is coming. Here's how to photograph it.

How to photograph fireworks

Do happy hens make better eggs?

4. consider the captive.

Scrutinize opportunities to photograph wild animals in captivity.
Know what makes a legitimate sanctuary or zoo, and avoid places where wild animals are exploited for profit.

Captive wildlife photography is a popular pursuit, especially for people who may not be able or willing to travel to far-flung places to see wildlife in its element. A wide range of facilities offer opportunities to photograph exotic animals, including zoos, sanctuaries, rescues, reserves, game farms, wildlife centers, refuges, adventure parks, and safari parks. Living conditions for captive wildlife run the gamut from sordid to exemplary, just as the reasons for their captivity run the gamut from greed to compassion.

The world of captive wildlife is a massive, lightly regulated industry . Facilities can call themselves anything, and so-called “pseudo-sanctuaries” abound. In the U.S., they need only a USDA license to display wild animals to the public.

In some cases, captive wildlife may have been injured and rescued from the wild. Well cared for, they serve as ambassadors for their species. In others, they may have been confiscated from a facility that mistreated them and are living out their days in a safe, quiet refuge. Or they may be displayed in a roadside zoo for profit, their lives spent in a tiny cage with a cement floor.

Then there are photography game farms. These are captive facilities that cater expressly to cameras. These places, most located in Montana and Minnesota, promise spectacular images of exotic wildlife such as Siberian tigers and snow leopards, and native, elusive species such as wolves, lynx, and bobcats. These genetically wild animals, by instinct wired to hunt and roam over great distances, may live in small enclosures except when performing for clients’ cameras, coaxed with treats and prods by a handler just out of the frame. They surge through snow head-on, or freeze perfectly within the crook of a tree. Sometimes they’re trucked to other states to pose in alternate settings, like the red rocks of Utah. They are impeccable, showing no signs of dirt, ratty coats, or lean times.

Game farm owners defend their operations, saying animals that are born in captivity don’t have the same drives or needs as animals born in the wild, or that they live longer because they have reliable sources of food and protection from predators and the elements. But animal consciousness expert Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel, argues that “It’s not just existence that matters. A person can live in prison in good health for a long time. What matters is quality of life. Different institutions and establishments vary widely in the quality of life experienced by creatures under their care.”

Much of the photo industry condemns game farms, and photos from them are prohibited in high-profile photo contests and most major magazines, including National Geographic . For every species held by a game farm, there is a conservation photographer who has carefully and conscientiously photographed that species in the wild, in its true habitat, exhibiting natural behavior. (Check out, for example, what it took to find and photograph the rare helmeted hornbill .)

We must recognize that the dollars we spend will validate and perpetuate the living conditions those animals have found themselves in, through no choice of their own.

There are organizations that can help determine whether a self-titled “sanctuary,” “refuge,” or “rescue” is really what it claims to be. Start with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFSA). GFSA-accredited facilities must meet high standards of care and management. Another source is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Though some may debate whether every AZA-accredited operation offers the quality of life to a captive animal that we would wish, these places are held to high standards of care. (Note that the AZA is distinct from the ZAA— Zoological Association of America —a controversial coalition with a confusing acronym.)

5. Caption with honesty

Be transparent about how a photograph was made.

Ethical practice in wildlife photography doesn’t end when we return to the comforts of home. How we represent the truth of an animal’s life when we share our photos matters.

“Level with the reader,” Sartore says. “Tell them the backstory if there's something about how the image was made that isn't obvious just by viewing it. Be upfront if you're working with a trained animal, or if the animal took its own picture using a camera trap.” If it’s an exceptional or unexpected capture, with an important story to it, take a few words to explain how it happened.

a photographer carefully photographing a dwarf caiman

Photographer Joel Sartore photographs a dwarf caiman at the Sunset Zoo for National Geographic's Photo Ark. Photo Ark captions always include the location of the shoot so the reader knows how the photo was made, and Sartore works closely with keepers to ensure the welfare of the animal during the process.

Brian Skerry , a longtime National Geographic photographer who specializes in marine wildlife, puts it this way: “If I’m taking a picture of a tiger shark and don’t disclose the use of chum to attract it, in the caption or when questioned, then I’m being dishonest. In the most basic terms, if the intent is to deceive the viewer, then it’s wrong.” This applies to processing our photos as well, he points out. Correcting color, for example, is fine. But if you alter the reality of a scene by cloning out or adding elements that weren’t there to begin with, you’re crossing a line in photojournalism.

Transparency in captioning is also a useful way to check in with ourselves. If we’re not comfortable sharing how we got the shot, maybe that’s a clue that we might not have made the best choice in getting it.

Reputation is everything

Word travels fast in the wildlife photography community, and fakery or harmful field practices can be readily exposed. These days, it’s not just editors and other photographers that are on the lookout; increasingly, viewers on social media are too, speaking up when things appear suspect.

“One of the things I tell young photographers at the end of the day is, never forget that your reputation is everything. If you want to take shortcuts, if you’re exposed, you will set everything back decades,” Skerry says. “You have to be above reproach. You have to do it right.”

“It’s also the responsibility of the photo editor to ask questions,” says National Geographic photo editor Kathy Moran. “It’s incumbent upon us to go back to the photographer to ask how the image was made, to ask to see a RAW file. We bear responsibility for maintaining integrity as well.”

Take the time to partner with scientists and researchers to make sure that what you’re posting is accurate, Skerry says. Bridge the gap between science and photography to add authenticity to what you’re doing.

These basic principles provide a starting point. It’s up to each of us to build common sense and compassion into our practice. We may not have all the answers, and we may make mistakes, but we can continuously strive to be empathic and aware. It’s up to each of us to use the power we have as wildlife photographers to act with great care for the animals that gift us with their presence. These are just about photos to us; but to a wild animal, every single moment is about survival.

Orcas are killing porpoises—but not eating them. Why?

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U.S. arrests Cambodian official headed to wildlife summit—for monkey smuggling

How U.S. racehorses end up on dinner plates

How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco

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How to Be a Professional Wildlife Photographer: Step By Step Guide

Photography Business , Tutorials

A photographer in a ghillie suit using a long lens camera in dry grassland, camouflaged to blend in with the natural surroundings.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we fully support or use ourselves. Our full disclaimer

What exactly is wildlife photography?

What do wildlife photographers do.

7 steps to become a wildlife photographer
11 revenue streams to try
How much does a professional wildlife photographer make?

Is it hard to become a wildlife photographer?

Read Time: 11 minutes

Oh, that thrill of picking up a camera, heading outside, and photographing animals. It's addictive. The only place you want to be is off somewhere in nature, creating beautiful photos of the species you see.

It's not long after making those first frames that you start to think, “Hey, can I make a go of this as a career and spend all day outside making photos!!?”

Anyone with a passion for wildlife photography has wondered this at least once… or maybe it's a thought that keeps you up at night as you plan an exit strategy from your day job? If that's you and you're excited about becoming a wildlife photographer, this guide is your starting point.

Fact is, it's challenging to pursue wildlife photography as a career, especially since it requires technical and artistic skills and exposure to unpredictable natural settings.

Still, it can also be incredibly rewarding both from a professional and personal point of view.

Not only do you get to spend time studying animals' lives, but you also have the opportunity to capture breathtaking moments and share them with the world.

In this article, you have a step-by-step guide on how to become a wildlife photographer and earn an income from it.

7 steps to become a professional wildlife photographer

11 revenue streams to try out as a wildlife photographer.

How much does a professional wildlife photographer make per year

Simply put: You're aiming your camera at critters and documenting their lives, with the goal of never disturbing them or changing their behavior so that the photos you do make reflect wild reality.

While the definition is simple, the reality is a bit more complicated.

Most people imagine it to be a glorious time outside, immersed in nature. But wildlife photography often takes place in remote areas with unpredictable weather conditions. The focus species is often difficult to find or photograph. And once you do find your subject, you need to have a mastery of your camera plus a creative eye to make wildlife images that wow an audience.

Depending on the type of wildlife you focus on, to the kind of work you create, you have specific skills you'll need to master to become a professional wildlife photographer.

Photo: Jane Rix/Shutterstock

Wildlife photographers can use their images to both show the beauty of nature and help raise awareness and advocacy for the conservation of habitats and species.

Wildlife photography can also be considered a type of conservation work. The photos you create can be used specifically to bring awareness, attention, understanding, and action to improve habitats or protect species.

A wildlife photographer may focus on the following:

shooting assignments for publications
selling stories to outlets
creating images to license
selling prints
partnering with nature organizations to document particular species or conservation efforts
and much more

The job of a typical wildlife photographer can be extremely difficult and comes with substantial investments in professional camera equipment (especially at the beginning of their journey), time availability, and personal commitment.

If you're really into wildlife photography, you'll realize that the time and investment were well worth it once you see your first shot.

Photo: Matee Nuserm/Shutterstock

You don't have to be a full-time pro to make both an impact and an income with your images. You can make significant progress by focusing on your photography on a part-time basis.

Important: You don't have to be a full-time wildlife photographer

Many professional wildlife photographers earn enough from their pictures to make a full-time living, especially if they've been in the photography industry for a while.

However, if studying wildlife and taking great photos are more of a hobby to you, there's a way to turn this passion into a side gig and earn extra income. And, because it is increasingly difficult to make a full-time living in wildlife photography, it may be ideal for you to supplement your day job with your photography passion.

Either way, it all boils down to time management.

If you're not ready to fully commit to photographing animals full-time, you can practice taking photos after work or during weekends while maintaining a job or pursuing other passions.

Professional wildlife photographers often have part-time jobs that allow them to finance their photography work. However, they use their free time to practice and improve their skills in wildlife photography.

Photo: Setta Sornnoi/Shutterstock

Becoming a highly skilled wildlife photographer requires practice, practice, practice. And of course a willingness to immerse yourself in nature… sometimes literally!

Whether you dive in full force right now or make a plan of action over the next few years, here are the steps you'll need to take to become a pro:

1. Invest in quality camera equipment

I absolutely support starting with the equipment you have right now. Use whatever camera you have to improve your composition skills and stealthy wildlife tracking skills .

But when you're ready to make the leap to pro, you'll need to invest in quality camera equipment.

There are no two ways around it: quality gear helps you make quality pictures. You'll need pro-level camera bodies, high-end lenses, sturdy tripods, and other accessories, depending on what you're shooting, so your pictures are competitive.

That said, learn the basics of photography before investing in expensive gear.

When you're ready, we have thorough guides to the best camera bodies and best lens choices for wildlife photography that'll help you make the just-right decision for you.

2. Study animal behavior and learn naturalist skills

Understanding animal behavior is vital to getting great shots as a wildlife photographer. Learn everything you can about your target species and their habits so that you can better predict their movements and capture them in their natural environment with ease.

Take the time to learn naturalist skills, which help you to spot signs, trail wildlife, and perhaps most importantly, ask insightful questions that guide you to capturing shots of unique behaviors or situations.

To help you out, here's a free guide on 5 naturalist skills that will transform your photography. It includes exercises, resources, and templates I use in my naturalist practice that you can print and start using immediately.

3. Practice photographing local wildlife

Once you have the right equipment, it's time to practice crafting stellar photos of animals . Start by visiting local parks or preserves where there is plenty of wildlife to photograph and observe their behavior. This'll give you an understanding of animal movements and help you anticipate shots more effectively.

Dig into essential techniques like photographing birds in flight or animals on the move, watching for interesting behaviors to document, using natural light to create dynamic images, and thinking creatively about composition. You'll need to go beyond the static “bird on a stick” shots that everyone has and instead purposefully make images that surprise and amaze viewers.

4. Develop your photo editing skills

Developing your editing skills will help you get the most out of your photos and make them look even better than they already do!

Raw images from your camera will look good enough but won't have that professional touch that comes from processing photos properly afterward using software like Photoshop or Lightroom. Invest in editing software and practice how to use it for subtle yet powerful adjustments.

Photo editing is about more than just post-processing your images. It's also about image selection. Learn how to look critically at your photographs and choose only the best. Notice why some photos don't work as well as others, and learn from them.

Photo: Dariush M/Shutterstock

A strong portfolio isn't necessarily about the breadth of subjects you've photographed. More important is that the images are unique, compositionally strong, and express your style.

5. Build your portfolio

Once you have solid foundations in processing your photos and choosing the best shots to show, it's time to build your portfolio. This is where you really start to stretch yourself as a photographer.

Work on crafting photos of different animals, locations, weather conditions, or other topics. As you build your portfolio, you'll be able to show off the diversity of skills and knowledge you have, plus you'll be building up a healthy archive of images to license down the road.

Note: When building your portfolio, notice where your unique style shines and lean into it while expanding the breadth of what's covered in your body of work. That's how you'll build a portfolio that is uniquely yours.

6 Network, network, network!

Networking is an essential part of any successful career, and this is especially true for wildlife photography. To find the right opportunities and build a successful business, you want to establish relationships with other wildlife photographers, editors, publications, agencies, and potential clients.

Networking will open up surprising doors – including leads for photo story ideas, publishing opportunities you'd never have known about, or people who can help you get access to off-limit locations. You just never know!

It's also a great way to learn from more experienced professionals in the field who'll provide valuable advice on how to get started in wildlife photography. By leveraging your connections, you'll expand your reach and increase your chances of success as a professional wildlife photographer.

🔥 Pro Tip: A surprising networking opportunity comes in winning photography contests. Not only can winning help you bring attention to wildlife and conservation issues you care about, but it also opens the door to conversations with editors, publications, and potential collaborators. Check out our list of top nature and wildlife photography contests to consider.

7. Start a local photography project

Starting a local project can be an excellent way to build your skills and become known for something specific in the wildlife photography industry.

Not only does it provide you with valuable experience, but it also allows you to showcase your work and gain recognition from potential clients.

A local project could involve taking photos of animals in a particular area or documenting changes over time as different species come and go. A local photo project is an opportunity to gain deep knowledge of a specific topic and demonstrate your commitment to wildlife photography while also providing evidence that you can capture stunning images that show off your creative abilities. Moreover, having a portfolio of beautiful shots taken during these projects makes it easier for prospects to trust that you can produce quality work.

Starting a local project is an invaluable step towards becoming successful as a professional wildlife photographer!

Now, let's explore 11 revenue streams that you can take advantage of as a wildlife photographer to make more money.

Photo: Deyan Georgiev/Shutterstock

There are many ways to make an income as a professional wildlife photographer. From selling prints to leading tours to photographing nature conservation stories, you can find revenue streams that best fit your personality and specific passions.

Client Work

Photographers specializing in wildlife photography can get paid for taking pictures for clients, such as companies or organizations focused on nature or wildlife issues. This may include photography for awareness campaigns, marketing efforts, or other needs.

Fees for these services are typically negotiated on a per-project basis, so make sure to include as many expenses as you can in the price of your packages.

Some examples of expenses as a wildlife photographer include:

Travel expenses
Renting equipment
Purchasing additional accessories like hard drives or memory cards
Permits and access fees
Hiring an assistant for the shoots

Finding clients takes time, but once you establish relationships and build a reputation for providing great work on time, you'll start to grow through referrals and build momentum based on word-of-mouth.

Assignment Work

Wildlife photographers can also receive income from assignment work , where they're hired to take photos for a specific purpose. This might be documenting a photo story for a publication, covering events for news outlets, or even long-term assignments that cover an event or issue that unfolds over time.

Photo: Mark Bridger/Shutterstock

Leading wildlife photography tours and workshops is a great way to fund your own field time. You get to show other people amazing locations and species while also building your own portfolio.

Workshops, Tours & Teaching

Photographers can also make money by organizing workshops and tours. You can provide in-depth instruction on how to photograph different species of animals or places, or simply guide participants to the best spots to get beautiful shots.

The fees charged for workshops and tours also cover your travel expenses, so this is a great way to earn side income, spend some more time in nature, and boost your exposure.

By planning time in the location before and after the tour for your own photography, you could come home with photo stories to sell or images to license.

Licensing Images & Stock Agency

As a wildlife photographer, one of the most common ways to generate revenue is by licensing images for use in publications or even on commercial products.

Most wildlife photographers create photos of nature and wildlife which they can then license to media outlets and stock agencies. The stock image industry isn't what it used to be, but you can still earn a good revenue stream from it. Check out reputable agencies that focus on wildlife photography, such as Minden, Tandem, and Nature Picture Library.

Of course, you don't have to take part in stock websites. You can also license your images yourself and use a license pricing tool like Fotoquote to determine a competitive rate.

Pitching Stories

A great way for wildlife photographers to generate revenue is by pitching photo stories to magazines and other publications.

News outlets are always looking for the next big story, so if you have stunning wildlife photos or manage to capture pictures of endangered or rare species, you might be one step away from a lucrative deal.

You can create a photo story and then shop it around to publications to see who accepts it, or you can pitch an idea and hope to get an assignment to go photograph your story idea. Either way, photo stories are an exciting way to get your work published while also building up your archive of licensable images.

Further Reading: How to Create a Photo Essay in 9 Steps

Wildlife photographers can fund their work by applying for grants from organizations focusing on wildlife conservation (such as Terra Viva or NANPA Foundation) or even governmental programs.

Depending on the grant's terms, the funds can cover the cost of travel, equipment, or even paying yourself a day rate.

Photo: Screenshot from Patreon.com

Memberships

Membership platforms can be a great way to generate income from your photography skills. This allows photographers to build a subscription service where people can pay a monthly fee to gain access to exclusive content, tutorials, and tips.

Here is a list of platforms that you can use as a wildlife photographer to host your membership-based services:

Mighty Networks
Memberpress (this WordPress plugin allows you to monetize your site with subscribers)

More and more professional photographers are using memberships to help fund their work in the field, while also teaching and mentoring upcoming photographers. It takes a lot of work to run a membership successfully, but it's a wonderful win-win option.

Prints & Calendars & Books

Printables are a popular way for wildlife photographers to make money. Selling prints and other photographic items that users can easily print on dedicated websites (such as Etsy) is one of the most efficient ways for a wildlife photographer to earn passive income.

Depending on the uniqueness of the wildlife photos, a professional photographer can charge a premium for their work. A good wildlife photographer can create quality pictures that stand out from the rest, and by turning them into printable items, they can generate passive revenue.

Gallery Sales & Exhibit Sales

Photographers can showcase their work in galleries and museums, or can enter competitions to get their work in front of a wider audience. One aspect to note is that you don't have to own a gallery or personally know the owner of one. You can offer to collaborate with your local gallery or join an auction/ exhibit sale.

You can also set up a booth at events and sell prints to the public. This is an expensive option because of the overhead involved, but once you've set up your foundations, it can be a great way to travel and sell prints.

Photo: kasakphoto/Shutterstock

While it's true that some professional wildlife photographers travel around the world for their work, it's possible to focus your efforts closer to home. This lowers your overhead and carbon footprint, and gives you more opportunity to use your images for local conservation impact.

How much does a professional wildlife photographer make per year?

A career in wildlife photography is different from many other fields. For instance, having a formal education in photography can be helpful but isn't mandatory to be successful and get hired. Also, you might work as a staff photographer for a company, but more often than not, you're freelancing.

Your ultimate success – and pay rate – depends on your experience level, skill, niche, network, willingness to learn new technical and business skills, and much more.

But… how much money do you make?

Well, there's really no such thing as a wildlife photographer salary. Because revenue depends on a vast range of factors — including if you're freelance or work for a production company; if you're an assignment photographer or leading tours; if you have multiple revenue streams or just one, and so much more — how much a wildlife photographer makes is hard to say with precision.

Most labor statistics websites will put the salary range between $30,000-$45,000, depending on location, with a national average of about $43,000.

What you actually make depends on many factors, but you can use this as a rough estimate of what you might make as a pro.

Yes. I won't beat around the bush about that.

It takes a lot of work to start a career in wildlife photography for many reasons. From the demand on your time and physical capabilities to the sheer level of competition in the field, to the overhead expenses of gear, insurance, and travel, it takes true determination to become a professional wildlife photographer.

But it is possible. And it is an emotionally and creatively rewarding job.

If you're serious about becoming a wildlife photographer, I strongly recommend learning more about conservation photography.

Conservation photography combines your love for wildlife with the ability to make a genuine, lasting positive impact for the species and places you photograph. Learn more in our complete Guide to Conservation Photography.

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Stories from the field: 10 wildlife photographers share their most memorable shot and the moment that led to it

Years of practice, strategic planning or sometimes sheer luck — there is no known single formula for what can make a brilliant wildlife photograph. Although began as a genre to document and study the wildlife in their habitats, wildlife photography has, over the years evolved into an art form in itself. And the masters of the art — from Frans Lanting, Nick Brandt to Sandesh Kadur and Shaaz Jung — go to extreme lengths to get that perfectly timed photograph, oftentimes risking their lives in the process. Ahead of World Photography Day , we speak to ten Indian wildlife photographers who share with us their most memorable capture and their stories from the field. (GALLERY)

A tale of two tails - Shaaz Jung

In photography, the art of subtlety can be very effective. Our aim is to draw the viewer in and tell a unique story. We spent the morning with a melanistic leopard and his leopardess. This courtship can last up to seven days and I was eager to capture something different. I noticed how she used her tail to entice him and that gave me a wonderful opportunity to capture something different. This was photographed in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve when I was filming for National Geographic.

(Shaaz Jung is a wildlife photographer, cinematographer and big cat specialist. Known as the ‘Leopard Man of India’, his creative and technical abilities when photographing big cats have gathered him over a million followers on social media.)

Water Dance - Rathika Ramasamy

There are a few images that are so lively that it captures your attention almost immediately. This is one of those action-packed images — a picture of two Oriental Darters caught in a territorial fight, one of my most unforgettable photographs. While some animals and birds live in groups, there are some others who want to have a territory of their own. If anyone tries to infringe on their territory, they get annoyed and will fight for dominance in their space. The Darters' fight to protect their territory is thrilling to watch but is not easy to catch sight of. I got a chance to capture the fight between these two Indian Darters at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. On opposite sides of a lake popular among Darters for fishing, I noticed two of them perched on trees, drying their wings. They kept looking at each other. In a sudden movement, both dove into the water. As they got closer to each other a couple of moments later, they started fighting, splashing water all around them. For anyone new, I thought the scene would have looked like they are doing a water dance.

(Based out of Chennai, Rathika Ramasamy is a freelance photographer and has been called ‘the first Indian woman to strike an international reputation as a wildlife photographer.’)

First Kill - Shivang Mehta

It was a dull morning around the lakes and there was no clue of Krishna and her cubs. Throughout the morning we scanned every area but clever Krishna succeeded in dodging us leaving no traces behind. I was having a discussion with Shakir (my guide) who suggested we should try in the evening. I looked at my watch, and told him, “Let’s do one last round of the lake.” As soon as we boarded the vehicle, a message flashed on the wireless handset at the forest checkpoint. The forest guard rushed towards our vehicle informing, “Krishna was seen heading towards the lakes.” We drove towards Rajbagh and saw a storm of vehicles and lenses pointed in one direction. There was no way I could have gotten any view of what was happening and we decided to stay away from the crowd and wait. “Tiger!” screamed Shakir. Young Pacman (Krishna’s male cub) was stalking right behind us and before I could realize, he pounced at a Chital fawn inches away from the vehicle.

He was hardly 12 months old that time and his hunting tactic was totally flawed as he grabbed the Chital from the back rather than its neck. Tigers normally choke their prey by grabbing their neck and here was one inexperienced cub who made a mess of his first kill. The forest resounded with the desperate squeals of the young Chital. The helpless prey was trying to escape from the claws of a tiger who was not able to give it a peaceful death! Pressure on Pacman intensified and he finally decided to give it a final try by crouching down to tear apart the hinds of the Chital. The Chital wagged its tail and blinked its eyelids while it was being eaten and slowly breathed his last. Pacman emerged out of the carcass with a blood-red face as his sister walked towards him to share the meal.

(Shivang Mehta is an award-winning photographer, founder of Nature Wanderers and author of A Decade With Tigers and Chasing Horizons, Leopards and Shepherds of Jawai)

Lone Elk - Amoghavarsha JS

There have been several moments in nature, where magic just happens. One such incident for me was in Northern California when I was at the Point Reyes National Park to witness the sunset, and out of nowhere came a herd of California Tule Elks. And one, in particular, walked past the ridge along the coast. So the sea, the sky and sunset of all marmalade colours with the silhouette of this lone Elk - it still remains a very special image when the wonder of nature just unveils in front of you. This one other time, I wanted to photograph a particular bush frog called the Blue-eyed bush frog in the Western Ghats. This frog is only found in the rainforests in the monsoons and only at night. We would try and follow its calls every night, walking through thick rainforests, in torrential rains with a gazillion leeches. It took us almost a week to find it and photograph it. It definitely was one of the most difficult shoots in my initial days and taught me a lot about what it takes to photograph wildlife, especially when are you in search of a rare story.

(An award-winning filmmaker and wildlife photographer from Bangalore, Amoghavarsha has worked with the BBC and National Geographic.)

The elusive beast - Sudhir Shivaram

I got into wildlife photography in 1996 and for the first ten years, I had not sighted a Tiger in the wild. Even though I was visiting the South Indian jungles almost every month, 'The Tiger' had always been elusive to me. It was in October 2006 when I visited the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary that I came across my first Tiger. It was difficult to see even spotted Deers then, as villagers were being relocated from inside the core area of the forest and there was a lot of disturbance. During the morning safari, I saw a few Indian Gaurs crossing the road quite far away and asked the jeep driver to stop. I started shooting it with my long telelens. Due to the narrow vision, I could just focus on the Gaurs and shoot. The driver saw my lens direction and asked what I was shooting. I said the herd of Gaurs. He then asked me to forget the Gaurs and shoot the two Tigers sitting on the safari track in front of us. I had totally missed seeing the tigers. That was one awesome sighting I can never forget. That’s been one of my best ever wildlife moments.

(Named Sanctuary Asia's Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2012, Sudhir Shivaram is presently a full-time photography teacher and conducts wildlife photography tours and workshops.)

Image of a lifetime - Vikram Potdar

I had gone to Kamchatka in far Eastern Russia in 2011 to photograph the Brown Bears. There was a place called Kurile Lake- a completely inaccessible and remote region. To reach Kurile Lake, one needs to fly on a helicopter from Moscow to Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky which is the capital of Kamchatka regions. For 4-5 days, we were shooting from the lakeshore where they had a 25 feet high platform. But I never went on that because for a smooth background, I always preferred shooting from a low angle. But one fine day, I saw that a rainbow was starting to form and I thought of shooting a habitat wide-angle image with the rainbow, bears, and the birds flying around. As I composed a picture in my mind, I thought if the bear comes right below the rainbow, I will get the image of a lifetime. The bear granted me my wish and stood exactly below the rainbow. Right after I got the perfect picture, the bear moved ahead and the rainbow vanished. From seeing the rainbow getting formed, changing the lens, climbing up the platform, clicking the picture and the rainbow vanishing, it all took two minutes. But in those two minutes, I could get the perfect image.

(Vikram Potdar is one of the first Indian wildlife photographers to have visited all six continents and two polar regions for the passion of wildlife photography.)

Don’t turn around - Kalyan Varma

I think for me the hardest subject to photograph has been trees. They are grand when you see them, but it's very hard to capture the grandeur. A couple of years ago I was in Borneo and this tall Kumpassia tree caught my attention. I wanted to photograph it and tried many ways but failed. So I finally decided to photograph it against the night sky and lucky for me a flash of lightning in the background helped and I was able to light paint the tree. In another instance, one of the scariest encounters I have ever had in the wild was with a leopard. It was in the night and I was setting up a camera trap tied to a tree. Since there was a dead deer nearby, I hoped sometime in the night a leopard or tiger might show up. What I did not realize was that there was a leopard sitting on the same tree where I had gone to set up the camera trap. As I was turning it around, I heard a growl and looked up and there was a leopard a meter away with its mouth wide open. I dropped everything and ran for my life. Thankfully the leopard jumped down too and ran in the opposite direction. Thinking about that night still gives me goosebumps.

(Kalyan Varma is a Bangalore based wildlife photographer, filmmaker and conservationist. He has worked for various BBC Shows including Dynasties on Sony BBC Earth.)

Chasing the chimp - Latika Nath

We were in Gombe on the occasion of Jane Goodall’s 80th birthday. We set off on a boat across Lake Tanganyika. Carrying a backpack with my cameras, we began a trek up the mountainside in search of Chimpanzees. After walking over 45 minutes we came across a band of Chimpanzees sitting on the path. It was a big group and we watched in delight as they groomed, explored and communicated with each other. Suddenly with a signal from one member of the group, they all got up and went off the path straight into the bush. Our guide signalled us to follow and we went into what looked like the densest undergrowth and brush with zero visibility. We followed our guide and began to climb up the mountain. We had to drop down and do snake-like wriggle and crawl into small tunnels under vegetation, and the slope got steeper and steeper. Meantime the Chimpanzees had decided to hunt. The air was filled with the most chilling screams. An hour later we were up the mountain, hanging from vines and using them to haul ourselves up. I looked down and realized that we were perched on the vertical face of a cliff and there was no means of going down or being able to put our feet on anything firm. It was not a reassuring predicament to be in – had we slipped or fallen, I doubt they would have been able to find us easily. Another couple of hours of tearful climbing later – we finally got to the top. And to our delight, there was the group. They walked a little, settled down all around us and we got some amazing time with them. This award-winning photograph of a baby chimp was taken on that day!

(Author, photographer and wildlife conservationist, Latika Nath was awarded the title 'The Tiger Princess' by the National Geographic.)

Smallest but significant - Sandesh Kadur

With a successful photograph, you can relive that moment that led to it for years to come and share it with many others as well. When we were filming for BBC’s Planet Earth 2 in Kaziranga National Park, we had miserably failed at getting a camera trap shot of a tiger in the grassland. Either animals like elephants, rhinos, buffalo, bear, or just moisture would spoil every single attempt. But one day, after we re-designed the set-up, things fell into place and the moment I opened the camera trap box, we got the image of a tiger coming in to feed on a rhino carcass - that was it, that was the moment we had been waiting for and the moment was now captured forever. Whenever I look at that shot, it reminds me of all the failure that we had to undergo in order to capture that shot. Another time, while working on a story about clouded leopards, I got attacked... by a mosquito, which led to me having cerebral malaria. It’s the closest to the feeling of death that I’ve ever experienced and I will caution everyone to stay safe from the smallest of wildlife. It’s often the smallest that has the greatest impact!

(Sandesh Kadur is a Wildlife Film Maker and Conservation Photographer known for his contributions to BBC’s Planet Earth II. )

The Eternal Couple - Mithun H

The woods are mysterious and unlocking it is my passion. You could be waiting for days and months and years for that perfect shot. But when it happens, those few seconds are magical and one to live for, after all that time. That is the beauty of wildlife photography. I can still close my eyes and relive that moment every single day of my life.

There was certainly a lot of waiting and patience that went behind this photograph. I had waited for six days in the same spot for this. I could hear the Saaya, the Black Panther and Cleopatra, the Leopardess mating about a 100 metres away in the thick undergrowth but could not see them due to limited visibility. They had made a large kill and would not move until it was over. That is where the knowledge and years of experience of following and tracking the Panther came in handy. I just had to wait at one of his favourite paths since that was the place he would bring her since that was the edge of his territory, and this he did after 6 days. It was a fruitful wait though. I could wait for six years for a moment like this.

(Mithun H is a Bengaluru-based wildlife photographer, who tracks big cats and is known for working on ‘The Real Black Panther’ for Nat Geo Wild)

On the occasion of World Photography Day on 19th of August, Sony BBC Earth brings forth the work of the most talented and respected Indian wildlife photographers who document nature’s most mystic stories through their lenses.

International Tiger Day: Nat Geo explorer Malaika Vaz on the joy of tiger spotting and what we can do to conserve them

International Tiger Day: 'We should dream and aspire for more than 3,000 tigers,' says conservation scientist Krithi Karanth

World Environment Day: Are the improvements in nature brought by COVID-19 lockdown here to stay?

How pro photographers are stretching their creative muscles for unique projects during the lockdown

Here's how fashion photographer Sunder Ramu is making the best use of his terrace for lockdown projects

19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips For Beginners

Wildlife photography is my favourite thing in the world. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting up close and personal with a beautiful creature, and when all the stars align and the animal is in the right place, at the right time, and you get the dream shot, it gives me a buzz like nothing else on earth.

Contents (click to view)

If you’re an amateur wildlife photographer and you’ve come here looking for easy wildlife photography tips for beginners, chances are you feel the same – or you want to.

Why I think animal photography is so great

What’s great about photographing wildlife is that, unlike people, animals don’t get bored or annoyed, and you don’t have to ask their permission! But taking great photos of animals can also be extremely challenging, because you can’t ask them to move or pose for you. You have to work with what you’ve got, and learn how to make the best of any given situation.

If you’re a beginner wildlife photographer, or intermediate, that can all seem a bit daunting. But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place!

Over time, and mostly through trial and error, with a bit of looking at the pros and seeing what they do, I’ve picked up a few tricks which have really improved the way I photograph wildlife.

And the best part is, almost all of these apply whether you’re in your back garden or on an African safari , and whether you’re using a smartphone or a DSLR (though if you do want to know about gear, scroll down to the bottom).

So here, in no particular order, are my top Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners

How to photograph wildlife

1/ use the rule of thirds.

This is a classic photography technique which you may well already be familiar with even if you’re a beginner because it works for all types of photography, not just wildlife. The Rule of Thirds says that if you imagine your frame divided into a 3×3 grid, you’ll get the most pleasing composition if you put the subject of the image off-centre, on one of the points where the grid lines intersect. Try it, it really works!

Below: Elephant, Kazinga Channel , Uganda.

2/ But don’t be afraid to break it

Once you’ve mastered the Rule of Thirds, you don’t need to slavishly stick to it. There are loads of occasions when framing the subject dead centre, for example, can work really well. I’m a huge fan of symmetry, so while putting the animal in the middle can sometimes make for quite a boring photo, when the symmetry works it can be very pleasing indeed. Like here, where the leopard is perfectly positioned between the two branches.

Below: Leopard, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.

3/ Unusual cropping

One easy wildlife photography tip to remember is that you don’t need to show the entire animal. If you can get close enough, or have a big enough zoom, then try focusing on just one part of it to create a really striking image.

Below: Shoebill Stork, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Wildlife photography tip for beginners: Shoebill stork, Uganda

And sometimes being a little bit surprising with your framing can turn a fairly standard image into one that really makes people stop and look again.

4/ Use backlight

It might be your natural instinct to position yourself with the sun behind you, so the light is fully on the subject. But don’t underestimate the beauty of a backlit glow. This can work especially well if the animal is particularly hairy, and the sun lights up every strand.

Below: Icelandic Horse , Iceland.

5/ Use foliage to frame the subject

If the animal is in a leafy environment then make a virtue of it by using the leaves and branches to create a natural frame.

Below: Mountain Gorilla , Uganda.

Photographing wildlife: Mountain gorilla, Uganda

6/ Show the animals in their environment

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of seeing an animal and immediately wanting to take ALL the closeups. But stop and take a look around. What else is in the scene? This approach can really help you if you’re a beginner and you don’t have a very powerful zoom on your camera – or you’re just using a smartphone. What CAN you excel at with your wide angle lens?

Below: Flamingos, Ngorongoro Crater , Tanzania.

Wildlife photography tip for beginners: Flamingos, Tanzania

Often by taking a step back and looking at the whole picture, rather than just the animal itself, you can capture something more meaningful, and a little bit different from the images everyone else is taking. Both the photo above and the one below were even shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards!

Photographing wildlife: Chimpanzee, Uganda

7/ Think about what’s in the background

This can be tricky, because often you’re at the mercy of where the animal is sitting and where it’s safe or permitted to stand. But it’s important not just to look at the animal itself, but also at what’s in the background: if there’s something messy or distracting behind your subject, it will draw the eye away and confuse the viewer.

So if you can reposition yourself just a little, you’ll often get a much better image. Here the stork is framed quite nicely by the dark curve of the tree behind. If the tree was directly behind his head, it wouldn’t be such a nice photo.

Being able to control your aperture will massively help here too – if you can use a wide aperture to create a shorter depth of field and a nice blurry background, the animal will stand out much better. I talk about gear in more detail below.

Below: Marabou Stork, Uganda.

Wildlife photography tip for beginners: Marabou stork, Uganda

If you’re with a group, or in a vehicle, don’t be afraid to move away from the group or ask the driver to move the car to where you want it to be. If you really want to get the best shots it does pay to be a little bit determined, and you may well find that other members of the group are happy for you to take the lead. Though obviously if there’s another photographer, with different ideas, you may need to learn to compromise!

Read more: 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

If you’re struggling with what’s in the background, one great trick can be to get low to the ground. A bit of grass in the foreground can add an interesting texture, and the lower you get the more sky you’ll see, which can solve problems with messy bushes or even people ruining your shot.

This deer was lying in the grass. If I’d stayed standing I’d have been higher than him, and the background would have been the messy grass around him. But by squatting down to his level, I got the lovely soft greens in the foreground, and the autumnal trees behind.

Below: Stag, Richmond Park, UK.

9/ Think about timing

Timing is everything. Animals rarely sit still for long, and if they’re moving, when you press the shutter can make all the difference. In this image the two elephants were walking towards each other; the baby is about to pass behind the mother. By timing it right, I managed to freeze the action so they look as though they’re face to face.

Below: Elephants, Queen Elizabeth National Park , Uganda.

Wildlife photography tip for beginners: Elephants, Uganda

10/ Look for character

Animals can be hilarious. Just look at all those endless clip shows on TV of animals doing crazy and stupid things. They can be silly and brilliant and full of humour, and often seem almost human in their actions.

Below: Baboon, Uganda.

Wildlife photography tips: Baboon, Uganda

If you can look for those moments when the animal’s doing something a little out-of-the ordinary, or funny, you’ll have a winning shot.

11 / Try black and white wildlife photography

These days we all shoot in colour – it’s automatic. But have you considered using black and white? Whether you do it in camera, or on the computer later, taking the colour out can really make an image stand out. Here, using black and white really draws the eye to the contrast between the leopard’s spots and the texture of the tree bark.

Below: Leopard, Tanzania.

Black and white wildlife photography can be really striking

While here, desaturating the image makes the hyena more menacing, and brings out the drool on her lip. In colour, you wouldn’t notice that so much.

12 / Don’t worry about the weather

It poured with rain the day I took this next photo. We had to trek through the jungle for about two hours to reach the gorillas, and I wasn’t at all sure I was even going to be able to get my camera out of the bag (you can read more about this adventure here ). But in the end the rain turned out to be a Good Thing.

Look at the brightness in the leaves and the wetness of his fur: this image is so much more interesting than it would be if it’d been dry.

Below: Young male gorilla, Uganda.

Wildlife photography tips: gorilla, Uganda

Remember too that if it’s too warm and sunny, most animals go off to sleep in the shade. So bright sunshine isn’t actually your friend when it comes to wildlife photography.

Read more: Gorilla Safaris In Uganda – The Real Inside Story

13/ Approach carefully

Obviously if there’s a chance the animal is dangerous and might attack you, it’s a good idea to keep a safe distance away. But there’s another reason to approach your subject with caution – you don’t want to scare it off or disturb it. If you’re on foot and you see the animal some distance away, the temptation is to get as close as you can before you start taking photos.

But if you do that and it runs away, you’ve got nothing. So take a photo, then move a little closer, and take another one. Keep doing that until you get as close as is safe, or as close as you can get without disturbing your subject. That way, you’ve got the best image you can, and you can always delete or crop the first ones later.

Read more: Ethical Travel Photography: How To Capture With A Conscience

Photographing wildlife: stag in Richmond park

14/ You don’t need to go on an expensive safari

I’ll admit, I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to go to some amazing places to shoot wildlife. And if you are planning to go on a safari photography trip, there’s no doubt you’ll come back with some spectacular images.

But if you can’t do that, all is not lost. There are animals everywhere, and your back garden or local park can provide some incredible opportunities if you know where to look. And remember, insects are wildlife too!

Below: Spider in its web, Richmond Park, UK.

15/ Look for animals interacting with the human world

It might seem counter-intuitive, but towns and cities provide another great opportunity for beginners to take wildlife photos.

Wildlife photography tip for beginners: Barbary ape, Gibraltar

I actually really like photos taken in urban environments because it’s fascinating to see wildlife interacting with humans.

Photographing wildlife: Seagulls, Sydney, Australia

Read more: 13 Top Tips For Photographing Markets

16/ Look for patterns

Sometimes creating a great wildlife image is not just about photographing the animal or its behaviour, and more about seeing the patterns they create when loads of them come together.

Below: Flamingos, Tanzania.

Wildlife photography: Flamingos, Tanzania

17/ What is the best camera for nature photography?

Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

If you follow my wildlife photography tips for beginners above, even with a fairly basic camera or even a smartphone, your images will improve dramatically. But there’s no getting away from it – if you really want to take the best photos, you’re going to need to invest in your gear.

So if you’re serious about taking your wildlife photography to the next level, here’s the minimum I think you’ll need.

A decent DSLR or mirrorless camera . This doesn’t need to be the top of the range, but you’ll need to be able to stick a big zoom lens on it and control your aperture and shutter speed. But you don’t need to splurge on a professional full-frame camera – in fact many wildlife photographers prefer a crop sensor because the 1.6x crop factor means you get an immediate zoom effect. For example, if you put a 400 mm lens on a full-frame camera, you’ll get a 400 mm zoom. Put the same lens on a crop sensor camera, and you’ll get 640 mm. Win!

Read more: Using The Canon R5 For Wildlife Photography: A Full Review

As big a zoom lens as you can carry. I think the minimum you’ll want is 400 mm, and the more the merrier. Remember to factor in having to lug it around though; there’s no point in taking a gigantic lens with you and then never using it because it’s too heavy to carry.
A standard lens that goes fairly wide , for all those environment shots.
Some form of stabilisation . With a big, heavy lens, you’ll get camera shake if you don’t take either a travel tripod , a monopod, or beanbag .

Nature photography tips: photographer with gear

So here’s what’s currently in my kit bag for wildlife photography:

Canon R5 mirrorless body
RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 L lens
RF 24-70 f/2.8 L lens
My old, spare camera body as a backup – this is a Canon 5D Mark IV . With two bodies, you can put your big zoom lens on one and the wide lens on the other, which stops you having to faff around changing lenses.

I also might take some of my other EF lenses to go with the 5D, such as…

Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L II lens
Canon 2x extender – this turns my 200 mm lens into a 400 mm lens but still gives me the option of having the fast 200 mm if I want it.
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L lens for wide shots
The Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L for super fast, super tight close ups. I would take this instead of the 70-200 but not both.

I usually take either a tripod or a monopod, and I always take an empty beanbag , which I fill with beans from the market when I arrive.

Plus plenty of batteries, memory cards, charger, polarising filter, lens cloths, dust blower.

If you’d like to see a full list of everything that’s currently in my camera bag, head over to My Camera Equipment List: What’s In My Gear Bag?

18/ Rent, buy and resell, or buy second hand

So you want to upgrade your gear, but it’s too expensive? Well why not buy second hand? I buy all my gear used from either Wex Photographic or MPB.com . Their prices are as good as any on the market, their service is great, and both companies have a really good range of second-hand gear in good condition, most of which comes with a warranty for peace of mind.

Another great trick if you don’t think you can afford expensive gear, or you won’t use it much, is to either rent it, or buy it and then resell it afterwards. When I went on safari in Tanzania I bought a Tamron 150-600 f/5-6.3 lens in mint condition off a seller on eBay. With its 600mm maximum zoom there were very few things I couldn’t capture and I loved it – and when I got home again, I then resold it on eBay for more than I’d paid for it!

Wildlife photography tip for beginners #18: Buy second hand

19 / The best settings for amazing wildlife photos

So you’ve got your gear, you’ve sorted your framing, now how do you make sure those beautiful shots are nice and sharp and correctly exposed?

Well obviously what settings you use will vary depending on the subject, the situation, and what camera you’re using. But here, very simply, is what I do.

Use auto focus . The auto focus on most modern cameras is brilliant, and personally I think it’s far more reliable than anything I could achieve, especially with a fast-moving animal.
If you use the multi-point focus setting on your camera, effectively allowing the camera to choose what to focus on, it will often get it wrong. So I’d suggest using a single point or a small cluster of points , focus on the subject, half press the shutter, and then reframe – or use the back button focus method (which is what I do).
Keep your shutter speed fast . At the 400 mm end of your zoom, you’ll need a relatively fast speed to overcome camera shake. Plus animals can move fast too! So the minimum shutter speed I use is 1/500 to ensure nice, crisp shots – and I set it much faster if the animal is likely to run or fly off.
If you want a nice soft background, you’ll need a wide aperture . Don’t go crazy though – if you’re on the long end of the zoom you’ll still get lovely bokeh at about f/5.6 or f/8 – and having a bit more leeway in your depth of field will allow you to get more of the animal in focus, and is more forgiving if you get it slightly wrong or the animal suddenly moves.
You can then use auto ISO or adjust your ISO to fit the above.
If you don’t have full manual control on your camera, or you don’t know how to use it, I’d suggest using your camera’s sports mode if the animal is moving, or portrait mode if it can be relied upon to sit quite still.

A lion feasting on a buffalo kill in Kenya

That’s it! I hope you’ve found these tips helpful – and if you have any more, please leave them in the comments below! Happy shooting!

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19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips For Beginners

Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

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Intimate Landscape Photography from Northern California & Western United States.

Human/Nature — A photo essay

People love to love nature. We go through great expense and trouble to leave our cities and put ourselves into natural environments where we can enjoy these beautiful places. In this photographic project, “Human/Nature,” I explore the relationship between people and the landscapes we love.

Throughout history, our aesthetic for the landscape has evolved. For example, during the mid-17th century, Europeans considered the wilderness to be ugly and unbridled. Travelers passing through mountainous and untamed landscapes during those times pulled the drapes closed in the carriages so as to not offend their eyes. The most admired landscapes in those times were fertile pastures.

These days, humans are more enamored with the wilderness. Many people treasure these wild places and fight fiercely to protect them. We go on safaris, flock to national parks, and take our children to zoos. However, do we regard ourselves as part of nature, or is nature something to be consumed?

About the photographs

In this photographic series, the landscape remains motionless in relationship to the people buzzing through it. Using some photographic magic, I hold a up mirror so we can see how we look as we interact with the natural places we love. Lines are blurred between human and nature. And, while the landscape is still and unmoving, people appear as ghosts in the scene, as if Mother Nature knows that our place here on this planet is transient.

I made the first three photographs in Yosemite National Park, one of the most popular parks in the USA. People travel from around the globe to see this breathtakingly beautiful place. Yet, most visitors rarely stray far from the pavement.

In the fourth photograph, made at a lesser known Northern California waterfall, a woman pauses momentarily to touch the cool water falling from high above — an intimate connection with nature is made.

About the prints

These prints are available as limited editions, carefully crafted one-by-one in my studio and shipped directly to you from me. They are made using the finest archival materials available, and rated to last 250 years if stored under glass and out of direct sunlight. You can see purchasing options on my website, https://www.charlottegibb.com/human-nature .

charlottegibb

Charlotte Gibb is a contemporary fine art photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in landscapes of the Western United States. Her images are often taken in familiar places for the well-versed landscape photographer, but she prides herself on her keen eye toward the subtle and sometimes overlooked beauty of the natural world. Growing up among the beautiful mountains of Northern California, she considers herself a student of life, learning about people, nature, music, and photography along the way. But always, her life-long passion for the wilderness shines through it all. Charlotte earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has exhibited her work in several solo shows throughout California. Her darkroom, long gone now, has been replaced with digital darkroom tools, and her style has evolved from a somewhat journalistic approach, to one that pays tribute to the natural world.

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Charlotte, I love this series. I want to see many many more. I also love the idea of this series as a way to shed light on your question you posed relating to our relationship with the wilderness. I think it is unfortunate that many people now see it as something to be consumed, but I guess its hard to expect less in our current economic culture.

I struggle with this concept, Matt. I realize that I am also part of the problem. As a photographer, am I not also “consuming” the landscape in a way? Isn’t it interesting now, as we all collectively sit at home to “shelter in place,” that the planet is starting to have cleaner air and water? It is as if the Earth is getting a much needed breather.

The saddest thing is, people cannot have a relationship with wilderness while present in quantity. An essential aspect of wilderness is the absence of people; therefore I think wilderness can only be experienced by a person when that person is alone. This is now very very difficult to achieve.

So very true. There are just too many of us on this planet.

"Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

Photo Essay: Wildlife

I’m really excited for my second photo essay series with the theme of wildlife. When traveling, I love beautiful vistas, amazing architecture, impressive cityscapes and local food, but one thing I also love is the wildlife. I don’t do that many off the beaten path trips, so wildlife isn’t something that I see nearly as much as someone who might camp or go hiking or backpack through Asia.

However, I’ve seen some pretty awesome wildlife over the past couple of years, whether it was in Australia, the US or even Asia. Although I have to say, it took a lot of self-control to not just include a million photos of koalas and wallabies in this post.

Monkey in the Sacred Monkey Forest. Ubud, Indonesia

Sometimes there’s nothing more impressive than wildlife. What are some of the most amazing animals you’ve seen in the wild?

Don’t forget to follow my Instagram account where I regularly post photos from all of my adventures!

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Wildlife photography.

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Wildlife photography is the art of photographing wildlife in its natural surroundings. Taking photographs of wild animals requires much skill and patience. Photographers sometimes endure harsh climates and conditions to capture animals on film. Wildlife photographers photograph all types of animals. They take pictures of insects, reptiles, fish, mammals, and many other forms of life. Photographers capture everything from marsh mosquitoes to blue whales on film. They travel the planet to bring back images of some of the most elusive of animals. People the world over look at these images in amazement and wonder. (www.ngs.com, 1999) . Wildlife photographers use many different types of equipment to aid them in their quest to photograph their various subjects. The type of equipment needed by the photographer depends on what kind of animal he is shooting, what it will be doing, when it will be out, and the type of environment in which it lives. There are many different cameras, films, and other equipment to be used when photographing various subjects. Photographers sometimes use aerial photography and underwater photography to get pictures of some species. Wildlife photographing can be as easy as a walk in the park or as dangerous as swimming with sharks. (Hedgecoe. 1999.). The type of camera used to take photographs of wildlife depends on what the photographer is shooting. Most wildlife photographers use a view camera. These cameras produce photographs with greater sharpness and detail than regular cameras. They allow photographers unparalleled control of perspective and focus. Rangefinder cameras are often used also. They allow the photographer to frame their subjects. Most view cameras have rangefinders built into them. . Different lenses are also used for different subjects. Wide-angle lenses are used to photograph large animals or groups of animals. A wide-angle lens is also used to photograph an animal in its surroundings.

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1. the world of the english premier league (epl.

The reasons that Henry became interested in photography were because of his interest in the function and invention of the camera. ... All three of his sisters were very artistic and always drew pictures of the scenery and wildlife they saw. ... Talbot continued his studies of photography after school and created the artistic technique known as Cliché-verre. He researched into the chemical process of photography spending most of his time looking at potassium iodide a process we now use for fixing. ... William Talbot had a huge impact on the world of photography during that time pe...

Word Count: 461
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2. Ansel Adams

He became interested in photography in 1916 when his family went on a vacation to Yosemite National Park. ... After he became more and more serious about his photography, he began mingling with other photographers and developed his own style. ... "Even though the f64 group met only a few times and had only three exhibitions, it affected a turning point in the history of photography, proclaiming that photography was a new American fine art form("Environment"28). ... Ansel abandoned his former aspirations in the music scene, and pursued his new passion, photography. ... He prompted the later su...

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3. Great north american ground squirrle

The movie Never Cry Wolf was a very interesting movie about Farley Mowatt who was acted by Charles Smith who, for some odd reason is named Tyler. This stories" setting is 600 miles North of Churchill, Manitoba in a place in the Artic Circle called the Keewatin Barrens. There, he must set up Lupus...

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4. Outfitters

Many promoting areas such as job opportunities, preservation of wildlife in surrounding areas, the heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador, and tourism. ... Popular summer activities include golfing, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, sailing, whale watching and wildlife photography. ... Park rangers are necessary to patrol and protect the parks themselves, and the wildlife which they may contain. ...

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5. Independent Study Proposal

As Jeff and Sally live near the Indian Ocean and wildlife preserves, I will focus primarily on humans, animals, and nature. ... Over the course of a month I will spend over 160 hours working, while during a regular semester of photography I am in class for 96 hours over the course of 16 weeks. ...

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6. What is Art?

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7. Species Preservation

There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. ... The US Fish and Wildlife Service Reports (2009) that twenty-two species that are at one time listed as endangered have now been taken off the list as they are no longer endangered. Only two species that were ever put on the list prior to their actual extinction have now become extinct (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). ... Less encouraging, however, is that far too many species actually go extinct while they are being considered for listing (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). ... The US Geological ...

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8. Practicum

Initially Steamboat Lake was game and wildlife land, and wasn't designated a State Park until 1972. ... The park itself offers opportunities for hiking, swimming, fishing, overnight camping, day use areas, as well as incredible opportunities for photography, sight seeing and wildlife viewing. ...

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Essay on Photography

Students are often asked to write an essay on Photography in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Photography

What is photography.

Photography is the art of capturing pictures using a camera. A camera is like a box that keeps a moment from running away. When you take a photo, you save a memory that you can see later.

Types of Photography

There are many kinds of photography. Some people take photos of nature, like mountains and rivers. Others click pictures of cities or people. Some even capture stars at night. Each type tells a different story.

The Importance of Photography

Photos are important because they help us remember past times. They show us how things were and how they have changed. Photos can make us feel happy or sad by reminding us of different moments.

Learning Photography

Anyone can learn photography. You start by learning how to use a camera. Then you practice taking photos. Over time, you get better at making your pictures look nice. It’s fun to learn and can become a hobby or a job.

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Paragraph on Photography

250 Words Essay on Photography

Photography is the art of capturing light with a camera to create a picture. This can be done using a digital camera or even a phone today. In the past, people used film cameras that had to be developed in a dark room.

The Magic of Cameras

A camera is a tool that takes in light through a lens and saves the image. In old cameras, light hit a film to create a photo. Now, digital cameras use electronic sensors to record the image. The sensors work like our eyes, catching light and colors.

There are many kinds of photography. Some people take pictures of nature, like forests and animals. Others like to take photos of cities and buildings. There are also photographers who take pictures of people and capture their emotions and moments.

To be good at photography, you need to learn how to use a camera well. You also need to understand light and how it affects your photos. Practice is important. The more you take pictures, the better you get at it.

Sharing Photos

After taking pictures, people often share them with others. They might put them on the internet, in a photo album, or hang them on a wall. Sharing photos lets others see the world through your eyes.

Photography is a fun and creative way to show how you see the world. It can be a hobby or a job, and it helps us remember special times and places.

500 Words Essay on Photography

Photography is the art of capturing light with a camera to create an image. This can be done using a digital camera that stores pictures electronically or an old-fashioned film camera that records them on film. When you take a photo, you freeze a moment in time, which you can look back on later.

The History of Photography

The story of photography began hundreds of years ago with simple cameras called pinhole cameras. Over time, inventors created better cameras and ways to make pictures clearer and more colorful. In the past, taking a photo was not easy; it took a long time for the picture to be ready. But now, thanks to modern technology, we can take pictures instantly with digital cameras and even our phones.

There are many kinds of photography. Some people take pictures of nature, like mountains, flowers, or animals. This is called nature photography. Others enjoy taking pictures of buildings or cities, known as architectural photography. Then there are photographers who like to take pictures of people. This can be portraits of one person or family photos with lots of people. Another exciting type is sports photography, where photographers capture fast-moving action at sports events.

How Photography Works

A camera works a bit like our eyes. When we look at something, light enters our eyes and helps us see. Similarly, when you take a picture, light comes into the camera through a hole called the lens. Inside the camera, the light hits a part that is sensitive to light, either film or a digital sensor, and creates an image.

Photography is important for many reasons. It helps us remember special moments like birthdays or holidays. It also lets us see places we’ve never been to and learn about different people and animals. Newspapers and websites use photos to show us what is happening in the world. Photography can even be a way for people to express their feelings and tell stories without using words.

Anyone can learn to take good photos. It’s not just about having an expensive camera. It’s about looking carefully at what you want to photograph and thinking about where to place things in the picture. It’s also about practicing a lot. The more photos you take, the better you get at it. There are also many books and videos that can teach you how to be a better photographer.

The Fun of Photography

Photography can be a lot of fun. It lets you be creative and can even turn into a hobby or a job. You can take pictures of your friends, pets, or trips you go on. With photography, you can explore new places and meet new people. The best part is, you can start at any age and keep learning and enjoying it your whole life.

In conclusion, photography is a powerful form of art that lets us capture memories, explore the world, and share stories. It’s a skill that anyone can learn and enjoy. Whether you’re taking a picture of a beautiful sunset or snapping a photo of your best friend laughing, photography helps us save those special moments forever.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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The Passion of Wildlife Photography

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Introduction to Wildlife Photography: A Guide for Beginners

What is Wildlife Photography?

Why Wildlife Photography?

1. Appreciating Nature

2. Helping the Planet

3. Feeling a Thrill

Types of Wildlife Photography

1. Mammal Photography

2. Bird Photography

3. Underwater Photography

Main Challenges of Wildlife Photography

1. Getting Close to Wildlife

2. Finding Wildlife to Photograph

3. Working With the Available Light

4. Dealing With Tricky Conditions

How to Start With Wildlife Photography

Wildlife Photography | Conclusion

Articles Related to “Introduction to Wildlife Photography: A Guide for Beginners“

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Wildlife Photography: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

What is Wildlife Photography?

How to Dress for Photographing Wildlife?

Know Where Animals Live and How to Find Them

Approach Animals Safely

The Best Time for Capturing Wildlife Photos

The Camera and Lens Combination for Wildlife Photography

Good Gear is Critical

A Good Canon Kit

Hunt With a Nikon

A Sony Designed for Wildlife Images

Stabilize Your Camera With a Tripod or Monopod

Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography

Balance the Exposure Triangle

Camera Modes

Autofocus Modes

Metering Modes

Composition Tips for Wildlife Photography

1. Leading Lines

3. Rule of Thirds

4. Cropping to Enhance Composition

5. Backlighting

6. Photograph the Animals in Their Habitat

7. Desaturate Your Wildlife Photos

The Ethics of Wildlife Photography

Post Production for Wildlife Photos

Exploring why we photograph animals – in pictures

Tree swallow, Grand Teton national park, 2019

Dalmatian puppies, from the series Dog Gods, 2010

Flora Aiken, of the Iñupiaq, gives thanks to the first bowhead whale of the spring season, from the series People of the Whale, 2017

A seven-month-old cheetah in the back of an SUV hisses at a rescuer’s outstretched hand, western Somaliland, 2020

Hengifoss sheep, Iceland, 2017

Arctic fox stealing a snow goose egg, Wrangel Island, 2011

Tiger rangers study photos to identify individuals for conservation efforts and to combat wildlife crime, Thailand, 2010

Honeybees colonise a black woodpecker nest cavity, Germany, 2019

Children with orangutans, Denmark, 2016

African elephant at the edge of Victoria Falls, Zambia, 2007

The Tweets, a trio of budgerigars, Canberra, Australia, 2018

Park ranger and a school of bigeye trevally, Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, 2015

The Cobra Feast, Jaipur, India, 2016

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How to photograph wildlife ethically

FREE BONUS ISSUE

1. Do no harm

2. Keep it wild

3. Follow the laws

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