Getting Good Wildlife Photography Shots
I bet many (if not most) of you have seen photos of incredible wildlife. The internet is packed with seemingly one-in-a-million shots! The reality is that nobody can predict what you’ll see, and the point of this blog isn’t to give you a magic formula for capturing once-in-a-lifetime photos on demand. Instead, I’m here to help you get awe-inspiring shots that will wow most people in your orbit—and keep you inspired to keep shooting—without getting bogged down waiting for that one-in-a-million moment.
Pick Your Location
Location is everything. In this case, you want to find spots that have tons of wildlife. Sounds straightforward, right? What I really mean is: look for places with a variety of insects, spiders, small animals, and, if you’re fortunate, larger animals. Costa Rica, Central Africa, Alaska, Patagonia, and Yellowstone are all good examples. Large animals are relatively rare—mostly a North American and African thing—but smaller critters can be just as photogenic. The key is to go where there’s always something to capture so you don’t get bored.
Pick Your Time
Early mornings and dusk are famously great for spotting medium-sized animals, but night is an underrated and phenomenal time to shoot as well. Invest in a good flash, and don’t be afraid to head out after dark. Some of my best photos were taken well after sunset. Of course, if you have the time, don’t skip afternoons either—you can see interesting things all day long. But if you need a break, take it during the brightest midday hours.
Pick Your Animal Type
When you’re in a place with abundant wildlife, you’re more likely to catch animals in interesting moments. For larger animals, almost any shot is impressive just because of their size—most people rarely see big animals up close, so there’s a built-in wow factor. Smaller animals can be just as captivating, but the trick is to catch them doing something cool or frame them in an interesting way. Some of my favorite pictures are of snakes and lizards—especially when they’re eating or set against a unique background.
Whatever you do, avoid the trap of waiting around for something your guide claims is “super rare.” For example, if you’re in Costa Rica, don’t pass on photographing colorful poison dart frogs just to get one poorly focused sloth shot from a mile away. Guides often want to wow you with the rarest animals they know of, but for anyone who’s not a local, nearly every creature is going to feel rare and novel. Focus on capturing good shots of whatever you actually see instead of chasing something that may never appear.
Being Ready
Keep your camera in hand at all times—no camera, no shot. Animals are notoriously unpredictable, and the quality of your photos is directly tied to how ready you are in the moment. Make sure your lens settings are dialed in and your focus is adjusted before you start. And most importantly, be mentally prepared to snap that shot the moment something happens. I’ve missed hundreds—maybe even a thousand—opportunities by not being ready. But on the flip side, I’ve also captured a few once-in-a-lifetime shots simply because my camera was always in my hands.
Guides
You really can’t do this alone. Anywhere worth going has guides who can spot more animals than you could ever hope to see on your own. Don’t skimp on hiring a good one. But be sure to check in advance that your guide is okay with you taking photos—especially at night with flash. Most guides are fine with it, but some have restrictions to protect the wildlife. Respect those rules. Responsible photography is what keeps these places open for all of us to visit and photograph.
Note on Safety
I need to emphasize this: I’ve been pretty lucky so far, but there have been multiple times I was inches away from something that could have seriously hurt me. I’ve had at least five close calls with venomous snakes and spiders that could have been fatal. You have to stay alert and not let the thrill of getting the shot override your common sense. Be vigilant and mentally present—no photo is worth risking your life.
Put It All Together
By following these steps, you’re setting yourself up for a phenomenal wildlife photography trip. Be curious, be proactive in your planning, and you just might land those National Geographic–worthy encounters you’ve been dreaming about. Above all, stay safe and have fun out there!