How to Be a Successful Wildlife Photographer

Obtain the proper equipment. A long telephoto lens and wide-angle lens suit the type of work done by wildlife photographers. While some of these lenses can be very expensive, there are alternatives. A mirror lens will give you an inexpensive option to the traditional reflex telephoto lenses of the same focal length. The trade-off is they are manual focus and single aperture. Another alternative is to use an extender. This is a small attachment that sits between the lens and the camera; it works like a magnifying glass and increases the focal length of the lens.

Study your subject. You need to know as much as possible about the wildlife you want to photograph. From the time of day they sleep, to when they hunt, to when they migrate, all of this information will help you in determining when and where you need to be to get the best shot. Once you become established and have additional financial resources, you can hire a guide who will help in this area.

Study the work of established wildlife photographers. Photography is a craft you can learn by studying work done by leaders in your chosen area. When looking at the images, observe the composition, camera location, angle and the time of day the image was taken. Make notes about each image in a small book and carry that book with you on your shooting trips. In order to be successful, your work will need to compete with the best images and photographers currently working.

Take lots of pictures. You should always be shooting as much as you can. Be tough on yourself and select only the best of your work to show to editors, publishers or gallery curators. Photography is a competitive industry with many great photographers. If you show work that is not your best, you will easily be lumped in with a mediocre crowd. Show your best work and you will be remembered.

Intern with an established photographer for a period of time. During an internship, you will have to assist the photographer in some tasks that may not be as interesting as taking pictures, but by working with an established wildlife photographer you will be able to learn firsthand what that photographer does on regular basis to be successful. You can then implement those lessons into your daily work once your internship has been completed.

Set up a website where editors, publishers, gallery curators or private individuals can view and order your work. A website is not only your storefront on the Internet, it is also your portfolio and a way interested editors or clients can contact you.

Contact editors of animal, wildlife and nature magazines. Ask for a meeting with the editor to show your portfolio. If she doesn't meet with photographers, send her your portfolio via email. Ask for the publication schedule, which will tell you which articles the magazine publishes throughout the year and which type of pictures are needed. Do this for as many publications as you can. When you have images that meet their requirements, email them with a link to your website containing a gallery of images that matches their requirements.