Through the Lens: Wildlife Photography

June 28, 2025

Experiences

Introduction/Abstract

Over the last 2 months, I have been experimenting with a new creative outlet: wildlife photography. Although it started as just another activity I could do, it ultimately grew into a much deeper passion, one that’s made me rethink how I can contribute to wildlife conservation. As I continue to photograph more wildlife, I hope I can use this tool to inspire and raise awareness about conservation.

My Start with Wildlife

My interest in photography goes back to middle school where I bought my first DSLR (Canon T3i) in middle school and joined the yearbook staff. Over the years I would revisit photography but never dove too deep. I understood the basics but rarely pushed myself creatively.

It wasn’t until April of 2025 that I bought my first “wildlife lens”, a 70mm-300mm lens (for those unfamiliar, a higher mm means a stronger zoom). The very first time I went out to a local nature preserve, I was incredibly lucky to spot a coyote. Below are some of the very first pictures I took. The pictures I took were far from perfect, but they lit a spark.

That experience pushed me to wake up early, hike more often, and seek out more wildlife encounters. I started studying the differences between a bad photo, a good photo, and a great one. One of the most helpful resources I found was Simon d’Entremont, a wildlife photographer on YouTube videos, helping and encouraging others to get into wildlife photography. I also benefited from birdwatching Facebook groups where I could not only share my photos, but take inspiration from others. Below are some of the more recent photos I’m proud to share!

Why It Matters

It wasn’t until recently that I read an article on National Geographic titled “ The Power of Wildlife Photography” that I realized that wildlife photography could mean so much more. By using media of art, people are able to connect in much more significant ways to the animals and environment that need to be protected. It’s also able to give a unique perspective that is rarely seen. From beautiful shots of a rabbit grazing, to a macro photo of insects you may never see, powerful images can create lasting effects in people.

Another role of wildlife photography is recording and preserving the history of biodiversity. In an age where many species are going extinct at such a rapid rate, many will be lost forever. There may be written reports but visual documentation is just, if not more, important. Having wildlife photographers all over the world may help to bring awareness of these species before it’s too late.

Making Wildlife Photography Accessible

In the future, however unlikely this may be, I would love to have an animal sanctuary or nature center where people can come in and develop their own passion for wildlife conservation. If (or when) that day comes, I would love to incorporate many of the ideas I bring up in this WILD Journal, one of which is making wildlife photography more accessible. One of the programs I would love to start is an affordable camera rental, similar to how a public library may have a laptop rental program. I was fortunate to already have a camera when I wanted to get into wildlife photography which made my financial barrier of entry about $150 (still quite a bit!) for a used lens. Having just one or two community cameras can make a big difference in someone curious about wildlife photography.

Personal Next Steps

Originally, I wanted WILD Education to be a complete collection of all of my experiences and ideas. However, I’ve decided to create a new Instagram with the sole purpose of sharing my wildlife photography journey: WILD Education Photography! I’ve also been interested in diving deeper into the social media world with other platforms. Although it seems like a big leap, I like the idea of joining a larger community of content creators focused on wildlife photography and conservation!

I’ve enjoyed my current camera set up quite a bit and will continue to use it for a while. However, I am realizing that my 15 year old camera will become a barrier soon. One of my personal goals is to begin decorating my house with some of my own photography. Later this year, I’m hoping to upgrade to a much better camera, the Canon R7, and a Tamron 150mm-600mm. When the day comes that I’m able to upgrade, I’m hoping to be able to take more spectacular photos to share.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, my hope is to inspire more people to explore wildlife photography. With smartphones having better and stronger cameras, the barrier of entry is lower than ever. The potential for wildlife photography to drive awareness and make an impact is immense. It is up to us to unlock that power. Whether it’s capturing a bird in your backyard or sharing a moment from a morning hike, every picture has a story to tell.