Wildlife photography tips and tricks every photographer should know

Wildlife photographers have long used their craft to defend and celebrate the natural world. From documenting rare species to highlighting the impact of human activity, their images can inspire awareness and change.

Today, with wildlife photography more accessible than ever, we asked six experts to share their best wildlife photography tips. Beyond chasing “likes” or viral moments, they reveal how to capture powerful, ethical images that resonate and endure.

1. Immerse yourself in one subject, place, or species

One of the most effective wildlife photography tips is to focus deeply on a single subject or location. By spending time with one species or environment, you’ll build familiarity and capture more intimate, powerful images.

“Try to completely immerse yourself in topics with which you feel a strong connection—even if you don’t understand why at first,” says the award-winning nature photographer Stefan Christmann. “I personally fell in love with emperor penguins. That’s how I created the images that won me the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio Award in 2019 and put me on the cover of National Geographic Magazine.

“Photography is utterly personal and subjective, and if you truly care about what you do, you will have success eventually. The deeper you dive into the specifics of a landscape or an animal, the more intimate and intriguing your images will become.

“When I first started, I always tried to get ‘the’ shot whenever I went out. Today, I know that it takes a lot of time and dedication to get a good photograph and that sometimes the experience out in nature is worth much more than the actual frame. Immerse yourself in your subject, and you will take good photos of it. That’s my main takeaway from almost 20 years of nature photography.”

2. Stay close to home

Not all wildlife photography tips and tricks involve traveling to remote destinations. In fact, some of the best opportunities for unique images may be right in your backyard. By focusing on local species and landscapes, you’ll gain more access, spend more time observing, and develop a deeper understanding of your subject.

“Pick a subject that you enjoy photographing in the region where you live,” says natural history photographer Justin Gilligan, who focuses on Australian nature and conservation. “It might even be a particular type of insect in your own backyard (literally!), or a wetland area near your home that you can access easily. The more time you spend with a particular subject, the more you get to understand it, and the better the resulting images will be.

“I think spending a lot of money to go to faraway places that many wildlife photographers have already visited is a mistake. It is a real challenge to come up with something different in a place where everyone has been. Your time is better spent at an easy-to-access location—somewhere that you can keep visiting and even become a specialist in.”

3. Avoid influencing animal behaviour

Ethical wildlife photography means capturing animals in a way that doesn’t disturb their natural behaviour. The goal is to document authentic moments without altering how your subject acts in its environment.

“If an animal knows you are there, you are creating an impact on it,” the wild horse photographer Debra Garside explains. “It is so important for wildlife photographers to recognise this because the result of that pressure may or may not be immediately obvious. Just because an animal is tolerating your presence does not mean they are okay with it or that it is healthy for them to be habituated.”

By following this principle, photographers can create powerful images while ensuring the welfare of wildlife always comes first.

4. Never use lures

Responsible wildlife photography means putting animal welfare ahead of getting the shot. Any practice that deliberately disturbs or endangers animals should always be avoided.

“I always put the welfare of the animal first and practice minimal impact photography,” the nature photographer Georgina Steytler tells us. “I never deliberately flush animals or use lures such as call playback, which have the potential to cause undue stress and danger to birds, especially when they are called away from a nest or into the open. I am also against the use of live baiting. I think that you should never have to sacrifice the life of one animal just to get a photo of another.”

By avoiding lures and prioritising ethical practices, photographers can ensure their wildlife photography techniques result in meaningful images without harm.

5. Respect habitats and follow local guidelines

When practicing wildlife photography, remember that you’re a guest in the animal’s home. Following rules and guidelines in protected areas helps safeguard both the environment and the species that live there.

“I would never destroy the landscape by going into protected areas,” Stefan Christmann says. “The same is true for animals. I could never be happy about an image if I knew that I had to actively interfere with the natural world in order to capture it. It would not hold any value to me. However, knowing that I captured a great image by being a silent and passive observer of a scene is such a rewarding feeling.”

6. Watch your shutter speed

Among the most practical wildlife photography tips and techniques is learning how to manage your shutter speed. Getting this wrong is one of the most common technical mistakes beginners make—especially when photographing fast-moving subjects like birds.

“Not having a fast-enough shutter speed is the most common technical mistake aspiring wildlife photographers make, especially with birds,” explains Debra Garside. “Birds are a readily accessible form of wildlife, but they can also be one of the most difficult, so this is not the place to start. Don’t be afraid to push your ISO up to compensate for your shutter speed. With all the great editing software out there now, it is pretty easy to deal with ISO noise.”

As for camera modes, the debate continues between manual and aperture priority. Both can work well—choose the one that gives you the most confidence in capturing sharp, focused wildlife shots.

7. Use the Golden Hours for the best light

Lighting plays a huge role in wildlife photography, shaping the mood and overall quality of your images. To capture more dynamic results, it’s best to plan your outings around the softer light at sunrise and sunset.

“I find that the most common mistake that aspiring photographers make is going out at the wrong time of day,” admits Georgina Steytler. “For example, they will try to shoot wildlife in mid-morning or afternoon when the light can be quite harsh.

“Unless it’s a cloudy day (in which case, you can get away with shooting at all times), you should try to go out just after sunrise and before sunset during the ‘Golden Hours.’ This will have a huge impact on the quality of your images.”

By working with golden-hour light, you’ll add warmth, depth, and atmosphere that harsh midday sun simply can’t provide.

8. Be patient and persistent

One of the most valuable wildlife photography tips is to embrace patience. Success in this field rarely comes quickly—capturing meaningful images often requires long hours, dedication, and resilience.

“You have got to have patience,” says award-winning nature photographer Ariel Fields. “Only those who have patience and are dedicated will succeed in this field. Do not lose the hope or courage that got you interested in the first place—wildlife photography is hard! You have to get up early and stay out late. 95% of the time, you will fail, but at the end of the day, that’s what makes you great.”

Patience and persistence not only improve your chances of getting the shot but also deepen your appreciation for the experience of being out in nature.

9. Look for surprises

Beyond mastering technique, the most memorable wildlife photos often capture something unexpected. Whether it’s rare behaviour, a unique perspective, or an unusual setting, surprising your audience is what makes an image stand out.

“The element of surprise is a critical factor,” says natural history photographer Justin Gilligan. “The technical skills needed to adequately capture a wildlife photograph in nice light are a given; however, it’s a special photo that shows something that the audience hasn’t seen before. It might be a rare animal, unusual behaviour, or an amazing setting. The key is to study what images already exist for a given subject and then expand upon them to create something new and surprising that captures the audience’s attention.”

10. Find the humanity in wildlife photography

Wildlife photography isn’t only about technical mastery—it’s also about empathy, compassion, and connection. By recognising the interconnectedness of all living things, photographers can create images that resonate more deeply with their audience.

“I wish more wildlife photographers were more aware of the web of life—the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living creatures,” says scientist and nature photographer Jan van der Greef.

“It is important to show the beauty and magnificence of nature, but it’s also important to make people realise that we are part of nature. Whatever we do to nature, we do to ourselves. When we feel that oneness with the natural world, we protect it.

“In my view, a great wildlife photo communicates the beauty of nature in a unique way at a unique point in time. It surprises you every time you see it. Often, aspiring wildlife photographers will overthink and allow the voice of judgement to block their creativity. They sometimes forget to connect and feel what the situation has to offer, and that’s the most important part.”

11. Capture both the beauty and the challenges

One of the most important wildlife photography tips is to show the full story. While animals and landscapes are undeniably beautiful, focusing only on uplifting images can give an incomplete picture. Documenting the struggles of wildlife and the damage to their habitats is equally essential for raising awareness and driving change.

“I feel a little frustrated that, in the aftermath of the bushfires in Australia, more nature photographers are not going out there and documenting life in the burnt habitats,” says Georgina Steytler. “We need those images to remind people of the devastation and to ensure it never happens again.”

By capturing both the inspiring and the difficult realities of nature, your work can become a powerful tool for conservation and advocacy.

12. Photograph for passion, not popularity

Wildlife photography is most powerful when it comes from genuine passion. Images created with love and curiosity have a lasting impact, while those driven only by outside approval often fall flat.

“A lot of photographers nowadays take photos for the ‘likes’ on social media or just to please their audience,” says Ariel Fields. “It’s important not to let social media influence you too much or to dictate what you post and what you don’t. Stay true to yourself, and take pictures because you’re passionate about it.

“For me, that includes the Striped Hyena project; my goal is to create awareness by educating people about this solitary, beautiful, elusive, and at-risk species. Photography is a powerful tool for conservation and gives a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.”

By focusing on what you care about most, you’ll produce more authentic wildlife photography that inspires and educates.

13. Educate yourself—and then educate others

Understanding animal behaviour is one of the most valuable wildlife photography techniques you can develop. Patterns, seasonal changes, and signs of stress vary across species, so research is essential before heading into the field. This knowledge not only improves your photography but also ensures your work has a meaningful impact.

“Right now is an important time to be somebody who shares stories about wildlife and habitats in a way that educates people,” Stefan Christmann tells us. “Being a wildlife photographer puts me on the visual side of things, but I also write. Even on my Instagram feed, you will rarely find an image without a proper explanation of the shown behaviour or some background on the situation.

“This is one way to give back to nature and show my gratitude. I have experienced countless magical moments with the emperor penguins of Atka-Bay, for example, and it is of the utmost importance that people get educated about their vulnerability. I want to spread the message that if we all do something small, it adds up to something big and can make a difference. We need to try—all of us.

“I see countless wonderful, artistic images every day, but without an engaging background story, they are just pretty pictures. I feel much more drawn to photo essays and stories that teach me something new. Something that surprises me. Something that makes me angry. Or something that makes me smile.”

By pairing strong visuals with education, your wildlife photography can inspire curiosity, awareness, and ultimately conservation action.

14. Give back to wildlife

Great wildlife photography isn’t just about capturing beautiful images—it’s also about supporting the animals and habitats you photograph. Beyond practicing ethical techniques, look for ways to contribute to conservation efforts and raise awareness through your work.

“All of my workshops and many of my art pieces have a percentage dedicated to wildlife initiatives,” says Debra Garside.

Giving back can mean donating part of your earnings, volunteering with local organisations, or using your platform to speak out against exploitation. Sometimes, it’s not enough to simply do no harm—you also have to actively support the world you’re photographing.

Conclusion: Photograph with purpose

Great wildlife photography blends technical skill with empathy and respect for the natural world. By following these tips, you’ll capture images that go beyond beauty—photographs that tell stories, raise awareness, and encourage others to care for the planet we all share.

About the contributor

Feature Shoot showcases the work of emerging and established photographers worldwide, highlighting those transforming the medium through compelling, cutting-edge projects, with contributions from writers from all over the world.