wildlife photography stories


Wild Stories, Campfire Conversations, and the People Who Get It

There’s something magical that happens when you get a bunch of wildlife people in the same place. Doesn’t matter if it’s at a bar, on a boat between dives, or sitting on folding chairs next to a camp fire — the stories start flowing.

We talk about animals, always.

The ones we’ve seen. The ones that got away. The ones we dream of seeing.

Someone brings up narwhals. Someone else chimes in about jaguars in the Pantanal. Suddenly we’re deep in a conversation about baitball dives in Baja, snow leopards in Mongolia, or the best way to photograph a crocodile without getting bit.

These are my favorite moments.

It’s not just about the animals — it’s about the people who love them.

People who think nothing of hiking for days, diving into cold water, or sitting still for hours just for the chance to be near wildlife. These are my people. And when we trade stories, ideas, and plans — it lights something up in me.

Then the camera talk starts.
What lens did you use for that shot?
Regular wide angle or fisheye?
“Do you go all-in for that curved look — or keep it classic and clean"

We geek out, no shame. Settings, sensors, shutters, sun angles. This is our language.

We swap gear tips. Locations. Talk about permits, timing, behavior, ethics, and instinct.
But more than anything, we remind each other why we do this.

It’s about connection. Not just to the animals, but to each other.

So here’s to the campfire chats.
The late-night idea swaps.
The “what if we went here?” and the “you’ve gotta see this place.”

If you’ve ever shared stories like that with me — thank you.
And if you haven’t yet… I hope we get to sit around and talk about wild things someday soon.

A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Guide and Photographer — Why This Name Finally Feels Right

Over the years, I’ve named and renamed this blog more times than I can count.

Each time, I was trying to capture what we do—the energy of the work, the magic of the wildlife, the grit of the journey. But nothing ever quite felt right. It just didn’t fully reflect who I am or what this life is actually like.

Until now.

I’ve finally landed on a name that feels good:
A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Guide and Photographer.

It fits, because that's truly what this blog and my YouTube channel have become—a window into what we do out there. Not just the epic moments with polar bears, orcas on the hunt, or dancing with sharks... but the full reality of our days in the field.

The early mornings.
The gear failures.
The missed sightings.
The quiet days where the ocean feels empty.
The magic we chase anyway.

If you’ve watched my YouTube videos, you already know they’re far from polished.

They’re raw, in-the-moment, and definitely flawed—but I love them that way. They’re honest. They share the heart and soul of what we experience out there.

Until now, I’ve mostly shared highlights—those big, cinematic moments when nature delivers something unforgettable. And don’t get me wrong—I’ll keep sharing those.

But I’ve been thinking…

Maybe it’s time to start sharing the lows, as well.

The days when nothing shows up.
The long waits.
The breakdowns.
The hours of effort that go into those brief flashes of beauty.

It might bore some people. But I think others might find it refreshing. Real. Even inspiring. Because that’s what these trips are actually like.

Wild places don’t follow scripts. And neither do we.

So, this name—A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Guide and Photographer—is more than just a title. It’s a direction. For this blog. For our channel. For how I want to tell these stories.

Thanks for being here, and for following along on this wild ride.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Through the Lens: Capturing Wildlife Moments That Tell a Story

Wildlife photography is so much more than just taking a picture. It’s about telling a story—one that evokes emotion, inspires awe, and sometimes even drives conservation efforts.

Through your lens, you’re not just capturing an image; you’re sharing a piece of the natural world that many people will never experience firsthand.

Polar Bears Play wrestling in the Churchill River, Canada. 1/5000, f5.6, ISO 1250

Great wildlife photography begins long before you press the shutter.

It starts with understanding animal behavior, researching the environment, and having the right gear for the job. Having good guides that know when and where to find your subject can make all the difference in the world.

Juvenile Elephant Seal. Patagonia, Argentina. 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 250

Timing your trips around migrations or mating seasons can provide incredible opportunities to witness unique behaviors.

Mating Atlantic Spotted Dolphins off Bimini, Bahamas. 1/500, f8, ISO 1000

Equally important is your equipment. While you don’t need the fanciest gear, having the right lens and a camera that performs well in low light can help make your shots better.

Arctic Fox off Churchill, Canada. 1/1600, f11, ISO 640

HOT TIP. Always carry extra batteries and memory cards—you never know when the perfect moment will happen. If nothing else I shared doesn’t resonate, remember this tip… I learned this one the hard way.

Blue Sheep Kibber Valley, Himalayas, India. 1/2500, f11, ISO 2000

Capturing dramatic compositions is key to creating images that stand out.

Use natural light to your advantage, whether it’s the golden glow of sunrise or the soft hues of sunset. Pay attention to your background and how it might complement your subject.

Sealion hunting baitballs off Magdalena Bay, Baja. 1/500, f8, ISO 1250

For fast-moving animals, mastering your camera’s focus settings is essential. Practice panning with moving subjects to achieve sharp focus on the animal while keeping a sense of motion in the image. And don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes, the unexpected angles produce the most compelling results.

Jaguar hunting a yellow anaconda, Northern Pantanal Brazil. 1/4000, f5.6, ISO 1600

Wildlife photography comes with a responsibility to respect the animals and their environment.

Always keep a safe distance and avoid actions that could stress or disrupt the animal’s natural behavior. Remember, a great shot is never worth compromising the well-being of the wildlife you’re photographing.

Lemon Shark getting its teeth cleaned by a young remora off Tiger Beach. 1/320, f9, ISO 400.

While portraits of animals are beautiful, my personal favorite images are behavior shots.

There’s something magical about capturing an animal in action—whether it’s a whale breaching, a bird feeding its chicks, or a predator stalking prey.

Behavior images tell a story and bring the animal’s world to life in a way that static portraits simply cannot.

Bobcat catching red winged blackbird, Rio Grande Valley, Texas. 1/1000, f7.1, ISO 5000

One of my most memorable shots was of a bobcat catching a bird while jumping through the air. The image was not perfect, however the long hours we put into trying to capture this wild moment is why this image will forever be one of my favorites.

Giant River Otters, Northern Pantanal, Brazil. 1/1600, f7.1, ISO 1000

Wildlife photography is a journey of patience, skill, passion, and a lot of luck!

Each image you capture is a window into the natural world. It is your chance to inspire, educate, and protect our beloved wildlife.

So grab your camera, step into the wild, and start telling stories.