Can you share the story of how you first became interested in wildlife photography? What drew you to this particular genre?
From my childhood days, I was always interested in the arts, starting with drawing and painting. Also, I had a lot of curiosity and love for the natural world and its inhabitants. Photography became a way to further pursue that love. I have done different types of professional photography, including commercial work, portraiture, landscape, weddings, and photojournalism.
However, it was much later in life when I visited the Grand Teton National Park, that I realized that my true calling is wildlife photography and being in the outdoors, experiencing the raw elements of nature and pursuing aesthetically pleasing story telling through my work.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in your journey as a wildlife photographer?
Early on, my dad was definitely an influence. He taught me the basics of drawing and painting and was an avid photographer as well.
Later in life, I found the work of certain photographers to be really inspiring. Vincent Munier, Sebastião Salgado, Michael Nick Nichols, Brian Skerry, Jasper Doest and Nick Brandt are some of the photographers who greatly inspire me.
What was the first wildlife photograph you took that made you realize this was your calling?
It was a photograph of a line of Bison walking on the snow, with the Grand Teton Mountain in the background.
What are some of the biggest technical challenges you face when photographing wildlife, and how do you overcome them?
Maintaining focus and keeping the subject in frame is always a challenge although it has become second nature for me, so not as challenging as before. Modern camera technology has made autofocus much easier. However, since I also do a lot of wildlife cinematography, learning manual focusing has been extremely challenging. I overcame that with practice and lots of research to build rigs that facilitate these very specific needs.
How do you prepare for a shoot in the wild, and what equipment do you consider essential for capturing the perfect shot?
I prepare by being organized, making a list of all the items and equipment I need to bring with me. The most critical equipment for capturing the perfect shot is a camera and a lens, I guess? Haha!
Honestly, I feel that, having a clear vision of what I want to capture and why, is very critical. When I’m out in the wild, my presence of mind, understanding of the subject, awareness of behavior, and ability to anticipate action are crucial for capturing the perfect shot. These factors guide my choice of equipment and how I use it.
Can you walk us through your process of getting a perfect shot of a skittish or elusive animal?
First, I do as much research I can do about the species to get an understanding of their habitat, behavior and biology. Then I plan a trip to the location where the species could be seen. After that it is all about data gathering, studying the geography of the area and mapping out the daily activities the species performs, what times of the day they perform that, what light am I looking for etc, etc.
Then it’s about positioning myself at the spots I have staked out and wait until the moment unfolds. The key is to be there before the animal shows up and be quiet and patient. Sometimes, I must be hiding behind bushes, other times laying on the ground or being in a hide.
What is the most memorable wildlife encounter you’ve had while photographing, and how did it impact you?
This is a very hard question. Ok, I have a LOT of memorable wildlife encounters while photographing! But one that sticks out as a lovely memory is from a trip to Iceland, when a mother Arctic fox left its babies with me and went hunting.
I felt that the fox trusted me enough to know I wasn’t a threat and that her babies were safe around me. I came back from this experience with a sense of gratitude and responsibility, like as if the universe trusts me to do the right thing, which is to care for nature and make meaningful choices that impact the natural world in positive ways.
Can you describe a situation where things didn’t go as planned during a shoot? How did you adapt?
Haha, well that is almost every single time. I plan, but things sometimes take time to happen, so patience is key. For me, wildlife photography is actually about being accepted into the comfort zone of wildlife, being respectful and patient with them, until they gift me the imagery that they choose to give me. So, I adopt the route of being patient, sometimes for hours, sometimes for days, and sometimes for years.
How do you maintain ethical practices while photographing wildlife, ensuring that your presence doesn’t disrupt the animals’ natural behavior?
I never approach any wildlife straight on, I always do my process of scouting and learning about their movements and pathways, then positioning myself at a spot. Additionally, I take distance that is safe for both the wildlife and myself. I also make sure I am not causing stress or discomfort to the animals I photograph. If I sense that the wildlife is being anxious in anyway, I back off.
How do you see your work contributing to wildlife conservation efforts?
I have a solid reach on social media., so I use that platform to educate and spread the message of conservation. I have raised funds for Non-Profits that support wildlife rehab, given lectures at schools and universities, interacted with children and young adults to get them interested in nature, ecosystems, birds and animals through my work. Once people connect with these subjects, they care and once they care they will carry the marriage forward and make choices that impact the natural world positively.
Have you been involved in any specific conservation projects through your photography? Can you tell us about them?
I have not. But I would love to in the future.
In your opinion, what role does wildlife photography play in raising awareness about endangered species and habitats?
I feel that wildlife photographers have the opportunity to use their creativity to tell stories about ecosystems and habitats that are under threat. It is not just about making pretty pictures, rather it’s about using our art to bring light to an issue. So clearly the role of wildlife photographers is the same role that any storyteller has, which is to tell compelling stories that grab the viewers’ attention.
How do you stay creative and inspired in your work, especially when dealing with familiar subjects or locations?
That’s easy for me. I love light. I can study light all day long. For me it is about the experience of being out there and exploring. It is ok if no great photographs are made, because every time I am outside in the middle of nature, my mind and heart is at peace and I am learning about light.
Do you have a signature style or approach to wildlife photography that sets your work apart? How did you develop it?
I don’t know that. You guys should tell me! Do I have a signature style?
Can you share some tips on how aspiring wildlife photographers can develop their unique perspective and style?
Stick to what you love to do with your photography, do not fall for the popularity trap, where you just follow trends to build a following on social media. Focus on a vision, work towards attaining it in an organized, ethical and honest manner. Be authentical and try to find that inner voice which will guide you when you spend enough time in the field. Don’t obsess over results, rather obsess over the process. And always remember to love wildlife more than your photographs of them.
What are your future goals as a wildlife photographer? Are there any specific species or locations on your bucket list?
I want to make wildlife documentary films similar to the content we see on shows like Planet Earth. I don’t have any specific species or locations on my bucket list, I believe every creature is special and has a life and story worth of telling.
What advice would you give to young photographers who are passionate about wildlife photography but are just starting out?
Don’t focus so much on the equipment and technical aspects. Instead focus on building a vision by studying the work of other artists who you admire. Build a visual vocabulary for yourself so you can use that to create imagery that reflects your vision and how you see the world. This gives you clarity on what you want to photograph and why you want to photograph it. That is far more powerful, because once you know what you want to do, you can always go get equipment and start to figure out how to do it.
In the age of digital photography and social media, how do you think wildlife photography will evolve, and what should photographers keep in mind to stay relevant?
Photographers should stop worrying about staying relevant altogether and focus on just telling stories. I feel we need to embrace the outlook that this is not about us or our ego, this is about using our artistic vision, talents and experience to put the focus on wildlife. Let them take the center stage. Let us share information about them and build awareness about conservation and protect our wildernesses through our work, by showering attention on them instead of us, the photographers.
