How to Launch a Successful Wildlife Photography Career

Patience and timing are required to take the perfect wildlife picture.

The life of professional wildlife photographer is not glamorous, it is hard work. However, if you have a love for wildlife and photography, and the skills of a businessperson, a job as a wildlife photographer could be a fulfilling career. Prepare yourself to be successful as a photographer. The pursuit and challenges of photographing wildlife make the job an exciting, and sometimes dangerous, career. It is not an easy profession, a lot of people try and give up after a couple of years. It takes time and a sizable investment to be a wildlife photographer.

Things You'll Need

• Camera equipment

Instructions

1. Take photography classes. Take classes and learn how to compose pictures, and take film and digital photography. Community colleges often offer photography classes as do community centers.

2. Buy good equipment. It is expensive but if you are going to compete for business, your equipment must be up to the job.

3. Know your subject. If you are taking pictures of sea birds, learn their habits and read books about seabirds. Know when they will be feeding or mating. Find a mentor, talk with wildlife experts and join a bird club. The more you know about the subject, the better your chances of getting a good photograph.

4. Tell a story with your pictures. Publishers want to see and feel something in a picture. They want the photo to be dynamic and to evoke emotion.

5. Create a project. Research and find out wildlife people are interested in and plan a project. Take your pictures to a publisher to show him what you can do. Remember publishers do not care if you are an artist and you spend weeks taking the photographs. When they look at the pictures, they think two things. How will my customers react to these pictures and how much money can I make if I purchase them?

6. Learn to be a businessman. If you are freelance photographer, you have to create a product with your photographs and you have to promote them. When you freelance, you are a business owner and the work and responsibility is yours. Create a website for the world to see your work. E-mail friends with your personal url and ask them to forward to all their friends. Create social network pages for people to see your work. Research prices so you don't price yourself out of a job.

7. Analyze good photography. Compare them with yours. Be persistent, patience, and passionate about you photography. Be proud of your work. Be active in life and talk to everyone you meet about your work.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax and enjoy your work.

• Make your photographs stand out by being original.

• Research a new area before you photograph it.

• Get into shape in case you have to climb a tree to get a shot.

• Wildlife does not sleep late, so get up early.

References

• Career Pro News: Labor Market Information. Wildlife Photography
• Wildlife Extra: Wildlife Photography.

Resources

• Warren and Genevieve Garst: Photographic Collection
• Peninsula Valdes: Rich in Wildlife