Should I be a wildlife photographer? 📸 🐆

Wildlife photographers don’t just take pictures of animals...

They capture the essence of untamed beauty and extraordinary moments.

Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash

Are you curious if this adventurous career is your calling?

• Study wild animals and their behaviors.

• Search for and travel to remote photoshoot locations.

• Use technical and artistic skills to photograph the animals in their natural habitat.

• Edit their photos to create images that clients want.

Wildlife photographers can help raise awareness for our natural world and wildlife conservation efforts. Images of wildlife can also be used for educational purposes.

However, not all wildlife photography is for educational or conservation purposes. Images of wildlife are also used for tourism, advertising, and media.

As a wildlife photographer, every day will look a little different...

• You'll need to be prepared for all kinds of weather and terrain.

• You might even spend the night camping out in a remote location.

• The unpredictable nature of wildlife can lead to dangerous situations, so be sure to take safety precautions.

• Some days are spent entirely indoors at a computer researching animals and locations and editing images.

Freelance and Contract Opportunities

• The majority of wildlife photographers make money by selling their photos to magazines, newspapers, and stock image websites.

• They sell prints of their images online and at photography exhibits.

• Wildlife photographers can also provide workshops and tours for people who are interested in the craft.

Full-time Opportunities

• Full-time positions in wildlife photography are rare, but they might exist in specific organizations like zoos or educational institutions. Some work full-time or by assignment for publications that provide wildlife content.

• It's important to note that wildlife photography is a competitive field, so you will need to network by making connections with different organizations and publications.

• You enjoy connecting with nature and your creative side.

• You want to work independently.

• You want to raise awareness about the beauty of wildlife.

Look For Another Career Path If...

• You don’t want to spend a lot of time patiently waiting.

• You don’t enjoy traveling.

• You don't like an irregular schedule.

In the U.S., the average salary for wildlife photographers is $34,115 USD.

In Canada, the average salary for wildlife photographers is $38,017 CAD.

Leah

• Thrives in fast paced environments

• Is very social and struggles to get work done independently

Daniel

• Enjoys staying home and sticking to a routine

• Doesn’t like networking with others

Andre

• Has a keen artistic sensibility

• Likes studying the behavior of animals

Does it sound like a career in wildlife photography could be a good path for you?

If it does...