You’ve chosen your camera. Maybe you’ve even tried photographing a squirrel in the garden or a robin at the feeder. But when it comes to heading out into the field, you might be wondering:
The good news? You don’t need to travel far, have expensive gear, or know everything about birds to begin.
Wildlife photography starts with curiosity, quiet observation, and a bit of gentle planning.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to start wildlife photography - from choosing a location and understanding animal behaviour to composing thoughtful images and practicing with confidence.
This is about building experience, one walk at a time.
Let’s begin.
You don’t need to head into the wild with military precision—just a bit of thoughtful preparation can make a big difference.
Here’s what I look for (and bring with me) before I head out.
Start somewhere you can return to regularly—a local reserve, woodland, lake, or even your garden.
Many of my favourite shots were taken from indoors looking through the window!
You don’t need to know every species, but a bit of background helps.
I keep a little notebook or use my phone to jot down animal patterns and lighting notes on each visit.
Even cloudy days are worth trying—soft light is great for wildlife portraits.
You’ll learn more in one quiet hour of patient watching than ten minutes of rushing around.
Field Tip: Don’t measure the success of your first shoot by how many photos you take. Just being out in nature, noticing things more closely—that’s a win in itself.
You don’t need to be a professional photographer to compose a beautiful photo.
Good composition is really just about helping the viewer's eye land in the right place—so they feel something when they look at your image.
Here are a few simple techniques that make a big difference:
Imagine a grid overlay on your photo—two horizontal and two vertical lines. Try placing your subject where the lines cross.
I often use this when photographing garden birds—placing them off to one side gives a sense of space and movement.
Use natural elements—like paths, rivers, shadows, or branches—to gently draw the viewer’s eye toward your subject.
Grassy trails and fence lines can work beautifully without stealing the scene.
Look for opportunities to “frame” your animal using the surrounding environment.
This is one of my favourite techniques when I'm sitting quietly and just waiting—it often happens naturally.
Not every shot has to be a close-up. Sometimes the most powerful images are the ones that show the animal in its wider world.
Even a small subject can make a great photo when surrounded by space.
Once you’ve tried a few techniques, feel free to go off-script.
Some of my most memorable images came from bending the “rules” just enough to make the moment feel alive.
Try This on Your Next Walk: Pick one composition idea—like framing or using the rule of thirds—and look for moments where it naturally appears. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. Just notice what feels interesting to your eye, and experiment from there.
One of the most rewarding parts of wildlife photography is the quiet connection we feel with the animals we photograph.
But with that comes a gentle responsibility: to protect the wellbeing of the creatures we’re observing.
Here are a few of the personal guidelines I follow on every shoot:
Getting a close-up doesn’t mean getting physically close.
Some of my best photos happened when I sat still and waited—the animal came to me.
Getting too close to nesting birds can cause stress, or even lead to them abandoning their eggs.
Always let your lens do the walking.
Flash can startle or disorient animals—especially birds and nocturnal species.
Nature is the star of your photo. Let it stay as wild as you found it.
On one trip to Fermyn Woods we found a lovely little spot for photographing butterflies. It seems others discovered it too, the next day it had been trampled by uncaring photographers!
Some places have protected zones, seasonal closures, or dog restrictions for very good reasons.
We were saddened to see a loose dog chasing panicked sheep across the meadow at Summer Leys early one morning. Its owner called out again and again, but the dog didn’t respond.
Tip: The most rewarding photos come when animals feel safe enough to act naturally. That’s the moment worth waiting for.
You don’t need to travel far—or wait for a rare species—to become a wildlife photographer.
Some of the best skills you’ll build come from photographing what’s already around you. It’s quieter, less pressured, and a perfect way to grow.
I practiced on robins and blackbirds for weeks—and I still love photographing them
One park, four visits, four completely different moods—that’s how you start building your eye.
Zoos helped me learn how to photograph movement—and gave me ideas I could apply later in the field.
Tip: Revisit the same spot regularly. You’ll start to notice patterns—where the light falls, where the birds land, and when the action tends to happen.
Wildlife photography is a journey, one built on small moments, missed shots, and quiet breakthroughs.
You don’t need to “get it right” to be proud. Just the fact that you showed up, slowed down, and tried something new? That’s worth celebrating.
Here are a few gentle ways to mark your progress and stay inspired:
Places like Flickr, ViewBug, and Reddit’s r/WildlifePhotography can be incredibly supportive.
You never know who you might inspire by sharing a photo you nearly didn’t take.
That first Mayfly photo? I entered it on a whim. It changed everything.
Tip: Revisit your old photos every few months. You’ll be surprised how far you’ve come—and how much more you notice now.
Wherever you go next—whether it’s your back garden, a local woodland, or a misty lake at sunrise—remember:
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to get the shot every time.
Just showing up, watching quietly, and learning as you go…
That’s how every wildlife photographer starts.
I hope this guide has helped you take your first step into something meaningful.
Happy walking. Happy watching. And whenever you're ready—happy shooting.
Carol is a UK-based wildlife photographer and nature writer with a passion for peaceful walks, patient observation, and capturing life’s quiet wonders.
Through her lens and words, she shares the stories of the natural world — from bluebells and butterflies to birds like the great crested grebe.
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