Wildlife Photography How To

Photographing wildlife in their natural habitat has always been both challenging and rewarding. Whether you develop a business selling the use of the images or leading workshop tours, this field requires a special combination of passion and patience. In this article, we look at how and where wildlife photos can be sold as well as prospects to pursue and pitfalls to avoid. Special thanks to our four contributors: Sean Crane; Barbara Fleming (Fleming Safari Company, LLC); Eric Horan (Lowcountry Photo Safaris); and Josh Patterson.

Zoos, wildlife parks and farms are some of my favorite places to recommend taking pictures, especially when you are looking to build your portfolio with a diverse subject matter. They offer many opportunities to learn how to photograph rare animals as well as teach you how to cope with challenging environments and locations, similar to what you would encounter if you were on safari on the savannahs of Tanzania or tracking tigers in the jungles of Borneo.

Growing up in London, England, Alan Murphy developed a fascination with birds at an early age. That enthusiasm followed him as he moved to the United States as an adult, but took an interesting tern (pun intended) once he settled on this side of the pond. 

And now for something completely different from the world of wildlife.

We often turn to Chelsea and Tony Northrup for great tips on things you can do to improve your photography. The video below takes the opposite approach by illustrating 15 photo faux pas to avoid when shooting wildlife.

Michel d’Oultremont is a Belgian wildlife photographer who clearly understands that patience is a virtue when stalking wild beasts. In the dramatic video below you’ll follow d’Oultremont as he hunts for a money shot of a bison in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania.