PHOTOGRAPHY

How to take wildlife photos like a pro

With the right research and enough patience, anyone can get an extraordinary photo of animal life. These are Jasper Doest's tips gleaned from decades as a wildlife photographer.

Carefully observing and becoming acquainted with an animal's routine is crucial for capturing moments like these. Here, I predicted this flamingo would flap his wings after emerging from the ocean, and that foresight secured this dynamic image.

Story and photographs byJasper Doest

November 14, 2023

5 min read

My love for wildlife comes from my parents, who raised me to love and respect the natural world. Being a shy teenager, I felt like nature was a place I belonged. Now, I’ve been taking pictures for 39 years. Documenting nature came naturally to me—we're all part of it. You don't need to ask permission to be there: You only need to behave like a guest and you’ll be accepted. Some of my favorite wildlife projects feature everyday subjects that may be taken for granted.

(See Nat Geo’s best pictures of 2023.)

Here are my tips for great wildlife photography.

The red face of the macaque is reflected in a mirror. — A Japanese macaque stares at its reflection in a moped mirror. Some monkeys appear to recognize the image that they’re seeing as themselves, as do apes. It’s behavior like this that’s most fascinating to me and that makes me keep going back and learn more about the natural world.

Start at home

Whether your goal is to become a professional photographer, to photograph a rare animal, or to simply improve your technique, look first to your backyard. Pigeons, squirrels, and deer are all wildlife—and most times, a surprising and unique image of an “ordinary” animal is better than a mediocre image of a rarer one. You want to find an animal’s habitat that you can visit again and again—the more opportunities you give yourself, the better chance you’ll have at getting a photograph you’re proud of.

A young girl holds herself fearfully in the corner as a pigeon stands on and the ledge. — My oldest daughter cowers after a female pigeon flew past her, trying to enter the house. She's still frightened when the male suddenly lands on the balcony railing. I hide my smile behind the camera, as I try to comfort her by saying they won't hurt you. "I thought he was going to attack me," she replies.⠀

Visual storytelling is about capturing special moments like these. You don’t need to look far for good stories, they can be found closer to home than you’d think.

A top view of a flamingo with pink feathers and checkered floor. — After photographing him over the years, Flamingo Bob has been an endless source of inspiration. Is there any animal that draws your attention and that you consider your muse? Stay at it! A muse helps establish a unique style, deepen emotional connections in your photos, and foster a collaborative environment for creative growth.

Dark gray and purple feathers are highlighted by soft light. — After photographing him over the years, Flamingo Bob has been an endless source of inspiration. Is there any animal that draws your attention and that you consider your muse? Stay at it! A muse helps establish a unique style, deepen emotional connections in your photos, and foster a collaborative environment for creative growth.

Do your homework and be patient

Before you shoot, come prepared. First, find out what species are common in the area. It can help to scout a local park or even around your block. While scouting, use apps like iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID to identify and familiarize yourself with local species.

Elephants walk along a scenic sky and lush landscape. — Forest elephants graze in the grasslands of central Gabon. While many people often want to go up close when it comes to animal photography, it sometimes helps to take some distance and create images that create a sense of place.

Animals are like us, they are creatures of habit: You will find they frequent the same places at certain times of day or during certain weather. Pay attention to these habits while scouting, and take multiple scouting trips to see these habits in action. Over time, you might even notice the trails that these animals leave behind, from droppings to footprints.

Water droplets sit on the tips of a monkeys fur. — A young Japanese macaque sleeps while sitting in a hot spring. The snow that falls on top of his head melts due to the warm water below, creating a mosaic of pearl-like drops.

Go the extra mile

When using a smartphone, a surprising detail people tend to forget is cleaning the lens. Carry some lens wipes with you, or use a cotton shirt.

Ditch digital zoom, and get yourself physically closer to your subject. Get on the ground or up high to be on their level, which will create a more intimate image. You're not going to achieve an amazing image by keeping your clothes clean: You may have to crawl in the mud to get the shot—worry about laundry later.

Also try experimenting with black and white, which can eliminate the distraction of colors and focus attention on the composition, action, and scene. On most modern smartphones, you can revert the image back to color if you change your mind.