Step into the world of wildlife photography with these incredible talents and learn how to polish your skills to get the perfect shot!

Professional photography is a strenuous industry to succeed in and often requires dipping your feet into multiple disciplines in order to make a living. Much like all the arts, with the right level of dedication and creative enthusiasm, anyone can perfect their shooting ability but may still fail to shape a career from their work.

Don't let these harsh realities set you back. Pursuing wildlife photography can help you build a personal connection with nature and give you the chance to learn a lifelong skill. You'll find new wildlife havens whilst looking for your target species and become a knowledgeable naturalist by learning about animal habitats, tracks and signs.

You may also dabble in a bit of editing, special effects, behavioural observations, species identification and spotting on your journey. After learning the best techniques for you, getting to know your camera and spending some time in the great outdoors, nothing can compare to the euphoria of getting the perfect shot.

Why are their so few women in wildlife photography?

Since the wildlife photography of the year (WPY) competition began in 1965, only four of the winners have been women. Only 20% of the world's photojournalists are female and the British Wildlife Photography Award has yet to allocate a female prize winner.

Clearly, there is a distinct lack of female wildlife photographers in the field and the women that are doing it, and doing it well, are not receiving the same recognition as their male counterparts.

Many of the women I spoke to said they have experienced some form of prejudice whilst exploring the discipline which could have diminished their initial interest.

Additionally, juggling maternal responsibilities with a hobby that requires taking excursions and waking up at the crack of dawn to catch birds and crepuscular mammals is challenging.

Capturing wildlife often means travelling to remote locations in solitude at different light levels which, although it can be very rewarding, can be extremely dangerous for women in many regions.

Women may be reluctant to invest in expensive equipment and courses in countries where the gender pay gap is prominent or in societies where women are expected to be the caregiver whilst their husbands bring in the income.

Meet the women shifting the narrative

@sandi_monger_photographs - Norfolk, UK

Sandi Monger has a keen eye for all creatures great and small as she captures everything from wetland birds to reptiles across the UK. She has mastered the art of foreground focusing to get the perfect shot of wildlife within their complex habitats without disturbing their predator avoidance strategies.

Starting out

Growing up, Sandi struggled with anxiety and found it difficult going out on her own without familiar company. She explained "One day I wanted to be comfortable enough to leave and spend the day doing whatever I like, on my own. So I bought a camera" and it seems the rest was history.

Starting a new hobby or learning a skill is always a scary prospect when you look for inspiration on the internet and tell yourself you will never meet industry standard.

It seems there is a lot more work behind the scenes than you realise, and cut yourself some slack as a beginner, nobody becomes an expert overnight. Sharing a photo is so much more rewarding when you know the dedication and post-shooting effort required to create the finalised image.

Set-up

Sandi uses a canon 100D she purchased 7 years ago with the Sigma 150-600mm lens, a fan favourite amongst wildlife enthusiasts. Photography is not about the type of camera but more about the person holding it and the lengths they are willing to go to get a shot.

"Cameras can be really expensive but you can get cheaper second hand cameras/equipment from companies like WEX."

Proudest work

Sandi's favourite photo from her collection is of a Shag, a bird in the cormorant family which inhabits rocky coastal areas in Europe.

"It's a bird I've been wanting to see for a while and when on holiday in Majorca I came across one whilst exploring some ruins. The sea created some beautiful colours and bokeh."

A shallow depth of field is created with the camera to convey a beautiful blurred background and draw the viewer's focus to the animal, this is called the bokeh effect.

Pro Tips by Sandi Monger

In terms of settings, learn them and do what works best for you. With a lot of wildlife it's about field craft. Learn the behaviour and do research on the animals you're wanting to take photos of.

For example, with tawny owls I usually go out end of March/early April at night time and listen. You will then be able to hear whether there is a pair in that woodland. Once i have the area figured out, I go during the day as females can often be seen that time of year basking before incubation. Then it's a wait game to see if they have owlets!!

I always tell people to think about what they want, the style of photo they imagine. Don't take a photo just to take a photo. Once you find your style, your photography comes together.

@felinedoggeouswildife - Kent, UK

Jenny-Louise Read's portfolio consists of countless skilful shots of mammals and birds with a particular knack for perfecting the photos composition. She has some fascinating 'zootography' shots including close-ups of big cats which exhibit the finest of details. The way she captures the social bonds of wild animals and the true nature of their relationships with their young is truly awe-inspiring.

Starting out

Jenny started out taking photos of her pets and then taking her camera to wildlife sanctuaries before venturing into the world of wildlife during the covid pandemic. Like most of us, those daily walks made her appreciate the wildlife on her doorstep and gave her more time to perfect her skills.

No matter how deep your passion, it is easy to make excuses and tell yourself you are incapable of becoming an expert in any profession. Negative-self talk and not being patient with yourself during the learning process will restrict you from getting better.

Jenny-Louise was born with one arm as the result of a congenital condition called phocomelia. This doesn't restrict her as she has no trouble getting high resolution action shots of animals in all kinds of scenarios. The learning process is always going to be challenging but Jenny is living-proof that sometimes the only thing holding you back is your mind.

Set-up

Jenny used a Nikon D7200 with a 150-600mm Tamron zoom lens for a little while before switching to a mirrorless system. She now uses an OM-1 mk ii and a 100-400mm Zuiko lens. She captures magical shots with both set-ups which appear effortless but required lots of patience and playing around with settings.

It is important to note that DSLR cameras and lenses are much cheaper than mirrorless models but are less user-friendly without a live-view screen of the subject. Mirrorless cameras are much less bulky but telephoto zoom lenses for these are costly.

A mirrorless camera would be a good option if you want to get into your wildlife videography but it is important to weigh out the pros and cons of the investment.

Proudest Work

Miss K, A female Kingfisher - Found widespread across Britain's rivers and wetlands.

"She arrived in our harbour a few years ago and was an absolute delight. Also, because of her, I made a new awesome friend; Steve Wood who shared my love for wildlife! Our little Kingfisher unfortunately wasn't doing too amazing and sadly became water logged and died shorty after in our hands. (Not after Steve jumped in half naked, -3 degrees to go rescue her!)"

Wildlife photography has the potential to bring animal stories to life, give them a purpose, a character and encourage a love for conservation. It can encourage people to visit their local reserves and have a protective sentiment towards the creatures that live there.

Pro Tips by Jenny-Louise Read

Learn your subject, prepare to get a muddy bum, wet socks and hours of staring at a empty rock, branch, bush, all while being, most of the time, dressed like a bush yourself.

As weird as it sounds and sometimes, dare I say boring. It is always, always, ALWAYS worth it eventually.

Nothing on this planet is more amazing than earning an elusive birds trust.

@annakatewildlife - Yorkshire, UK

Anna Kate effectively encapsulates the interactions between wildlife and their ecosystems by using a greater depth of field. Her exceptional ability to capture birds in flight without the issue of motion blur or camera shake conveys their behaviour beautifully. Shooting invertebrates and amphibians without the assistance of a macro-lens is usually very difficult but Anna seems to have mastered it with lots of practice.

Starting Out

Anna Kate has always had a special connection with the natural world and wanted to find out more in a practical way. People who exhibit the creative archetype are often visual learners and therefore thrive out in the field rather than in front of a laptop screen or a textbook.

Anna got into photography because it meant she could join a community of other naturalists and encourage others to go out and explore their local ecosystems. Her story is a great example of how photography can bring people together but also give you a reason to clear your head in the everyday chaos of modern life.

Comparing yourself to others and being disheartened by a lack of media attention will slowly pour the enjoyment out of your hobby. Remember why you started, never doubt yourself and know there is always improvements to make.

Set-up

In most scenarios Anna uses a Fujifilm XT4 with a 300mm lense and a tripod (strongly recommended to get those in-focus action shots).

If you are on a budget, its a good idea to invest in a better lens rather than the newest mirrorless camera money can buy. Second-hand DSLR bodies are relatively cheap and can be used with a prime or zoom lens.

Film cameras can be bought for next to nothing and can open you up to some creative techniques but you need to purchase the resources and learn how to develop the photos. It is always good to have options and try out different brands and camera types to match your shooting style.

"I haven't let go of my first digital camera or analogue cameras as I find they always come in handy, and I still find myself picking up film cameras in charity shops just in case."

Proudest Work

Comma and Silver-Washed Fritillary - Two species of butterfly widespread across southern England and various pockets up north.

"The butterflies was a really fun one, I was actually looking for another species (Purple Emperor) when these two came along and the surprise of that probably makes it my recent favourite."

Having two focal points can be tricky but here Anna has captured both animals whilst also achieving the bokeh effect and highlighting the complex patterns on the leaves.

Pro tips by Anna Kate

I found climbing into the industry from it being an interest was a lot of self marketing and engagement, rather than the images themselves, so it's good to be wary of an overall theme or point you want your photos to give across.

Know your camera like the back of your hand! Make it your best friend! I bring my camera everywhere, the supermarket, lectures, it is always in my bag because I never know when I may see an interesting fly, bird, or beaver!

I tend to take a photo from a far before approaching the animal, then get to its eye level, and gently take steps or crawls forward until I think it's going to notice me, at that point I stop as I don't want to scare or disturb it and wait for a while, some animals may become more comfortable of you as the time goes on and at that point I move closer.

Settings wise auto is a good bet. But manual is very handy as it allows you to adjust exactly to your environment, the main triangle of ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture are a fun place to start learning.

@for_the_love_of_wildlife - Sussex, UK

Hayley Plummer wonderfully highlights the ecological mechanisms that are the building blocks of biodiversity by freezing animal interactions, breeding, foraging and nesting behaviours. Her work magnifies how wildlife is adapting to a changing world and inhabits human environments. She demonstrates the impressive wingspans, hunting techniques and flight patterns of birds of prey, all in a single frame.

Starting Out

For some, there is no greater motive than instinct telling you to reconnect with your wild side.

It is important to know the habitat, range and seasonal behaviours of your target species like the back of your hand. Hayley spent much of her time learning bird calls and discovering animal hideouts in her local area. This allowed her to get majestic shots of some of Britain's most elusive birds and nocturnal animals in the daylight.

Even if you are a qualified conservationist or behaviourist, not every photography trip will be successful. Sometimes the weather isn't ideal, your camera settings are off or other factors scare the animals away, but you will find yourself returning home to the never ending list of tasks with a fresh head after going for a walk.

Set-up

Hayley started with a canon 2000D, then transitioned to a 7D, and recently a mirrorless canon R7. She uses a sigma 150-600mm lens for long distance and a 100mm macro lens for detailed close ups.

Hayley uses the zoom lens to capture birds. Stepping back and taking the shot at a longer focal length, also magnifies the background blur creating the illusion of a shallow depth of field.

Proudest Work

A puffin, found at cliff tops and rocky shores in the UK, flying with sand eels hanging from it's beak.

"Taken in the Farne Islands this summer. I have wanted to get that shot for years and it was so wonderful to see. Puffins are adorable, one of my favourite birds and the Farne Islands were an amazing place to see them."

Capturing a bird in flight requires a faster shutter speed but achieving this means you must compromise your other camera settings. Hayley considers all three aspects of the exposure triangle to hone in on her subject and amplify its features.

Pro Tips by Hayley Plummer

If you're out walking, make sure you have your camera on what you think will be the correct settings ahead of time. Many times I have moved from a shady area to a bright area, or vice versa, and my settings have then been wrong for anything I might suddenly see.

Adjusting the white balance in advance helps a lot if you're likely to be photographing against the sky. Getting out just after sunrise or close to sunset is often a great time for creatures like deer, hares and foxes. Wear dark clothing and stay downwind of the animals you're looking for when at all possible.

I'm by no means an expert but I find 'shutter speed priority' a really helpful setting, so I can adjust quickly if I spot an animal that's likely to run or fly away if it spots me.

Authors comments

I hope this article gave you an insight on the opportunities and experiences wildlife photography can provide you and advised you on the best place to start. Taking photos gives you the chance to find your strengths and accept your weaknesses but more importantly, enjoy the creative journey as you find your niche.

Women all over the world are deprived of the true joy and fulfilment of making art. These wonderful ladies have proved that taking a leap into the unknown can give you a purpose and unlock the formidable power every mother, sister and daughter harbours inside of her.

As a woman in my twenties, my mind is constantly running at a hundred miles per hour and worrying about my studies, failures and missed opportunities. For me, being alone in a forest with nothing but my camera and a sketchbook allows me to venture out of my head for a while.

Nature has a way of sparking the childlike wonder inside of us and giving us moments just for ourselves to cherish or share with the people we love. With this, it is more than just a photo, its a reminder to appreciate where we began and the planet we inhabit.

Please check out the work of the photographers that were kind enough to give an interview and share their photos and techniques:

Sandi Monger: @sandi_monger_photographs

Jenny-Louise Read: @felinedoggeouswildlife

Anna Kate: @annakatewildife

Hayley Plummer: @for_the_love_of_wildife