How to get Started as a Professional Wildlife Photographer
Wild photography can be fun especially if you enjoy spending time watching animals in their natural habitat. If you want to get started as a professional wildlife photographer, you will need to have an excellent camera, patience, and skill.
You should also be ready to travel to various remote parts of the world where you will have an opportunity to see many types of wild and exotic animals and take their photos.
This professional also requires you to spend lots of time on the road while tracking down wild animals. This profession can be a dangerous occupation at times especially if you are interested in taking photos of predators such as wolves, lions, tigers, bears etc.
The following are some tips on how to get started as a professional wildlife photographer.
Education requirements
It is essential for you to have a Bachelor of Arts in Photography if you want to become a professional wildlife photographer. You will be taught the technical aspects of handling cameras, how to take photographs, photography theory, animalbehavior, the different types of animal habitats etc. However, most colleges do offer a two year course in photography.
Studymore about animal behavior
If you want to become a professional wildlife photographer you will have to take additional classes in wildlife biology. This will help you to understand animal behavior patterns if you want to capture the animal behavior on film.
You should also consider nature and survival classes as well which will teach you how to cope well when you travel in the remote areas of the world and find yourself in the thick jungles where the wild animals live.
You should also read more about wildlife and know your subjects of interest better. You can buy books related to wildlife and enrich your knowledge about wildlife.
Skills and requirements
You must be physically fit this profession can be dangerous which may require you to run for dear life especially if the animals that you are filming decide to attack you.
Buy photography equipment
As a professional wildlife photographer, you should consider buying a good camera and lens if you want to do an excellent job. A good telephoto lens is a must have for every professional wildlife photographer.
There are two types of cameras available digital and film, it is important for you to choose which type of camera that you would want to use when taking photos of animals.
You should do research on the different types of cameras and tools needed for professional photography before you buy the photography equipment.
Additional tools like filters, extra lenses, tripods and various computer programs will make your new profession much easier.
Practice how to use your camera and other equipment
You should also experiment with your camera settings and get familiar with how your camera works. You should also practice how to operate your camera given a short time to take photos of animals on the move.
Learn more how to set the different camera settings suitable for nighttime, daytime etc. Try using the different lenses which you bought and know which ones should be used when.
If you have the manufacturer’s manuals which came with the photography equipment you bought the equipment, then it is essential for you to read the manuals well and understand how to use can care for the photography equipment.
Obtain practical experience
You should gain practical work experience if you want to sharpen your skills as a wildlife photographer. You should also practice photographing animals if you want to sharpen your skills in wildlife photography.
You can practice how to photograph animals by taking photos of your dog or car. You can try taking photos when your dog or cat is running, stretching etc.
Attending photography seminars and classes will help you to learn more about this profession.
Join a photographers club
You should join a local photography club and interact with other skilled professional photographers and get to share the different experiences in wildlife photography. Learn a few tips and strategies on how to become an excellent wildlife photographer.
Create portfolios of your work
It is important for you as a professional wildlife photographer to create an electronic portfolio show casing your work. You should also start a website to show off your work samples across the world and increase your earning potential.
Tips and advice
You should schedule your practice sessions around dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
You should always dress up in camouflage to avoid being seen by dangerous animals when you are taking photos of animals in the wild.
Maintain silence when you are around the animals which you are trying to take photos of. Animals are very sensitive to noise and they will most likely tend to run or hide if there are any slight strange noises which they are not accustomed too.
Be very patient when taking photos of animals, if you want to capture good photos you might have to spend long time standing still in one position while trying to take a good photo of your subject.
