To become a freelance wildlife photographer involves a lot of perseverance and patience, plus the correct equipment such as a silent camera to be able to take wonderful pictures without frightening the animals away.

How to break into Freelance Wildlife Photography

Any person with a passion for filming wildlife can get started as a freelancer but this does tend to be a difficult field to enter. A suggestion is to take heaps of wildlife photos and get other people, especially other photographers to take a look at them and ask them for any feedback. You should also use any opportunities to network with other photographers and so get to know people who may be able to help find the right contacts to get into this field.

A way forward may be to take a photography class, buy a good camera and a PC that is capable of producing images large enough for magazines and then submit your work. You should look in wildlife magazines, and find the editors and publishers of that magazine. Post or email your work to the editor, with a covering letter and hope that they feel your work is worth following up. Perseverance is very important when trying to get into this field.

Who hires Freelance Wildlife Photographers?

Many wildlife magazines often hire Freelance Wildlife Photographers. A few of the well know ones to get in touch with are;

• National Geographic
• Nature Photographer Magazine
• National Geographic Kids
• Texas Parks & Wildlife
• National Wildlife
• The Journal of Wildlife Management

Surprisingly, some Government and advertising agencies also seek out wildlife photojournalists. Most wildlife photographers are freelance but have steady work for various newspaper, magazine or publishing companies.

What to Charge

The average annual salary range for a wildlife photographer is $26,000. This is standard in this field; your salary may greater or lower dependent on reputation, qualifications and experience, therefore you should gauge your charges accordingly.

Tasks Expected of a Freelance Wildlife Photographer

Waiting for many hours, or sometimes days, by an animal's habitat, in anticipation that they will appear!

Skills of a Freelance Wildlife Photographer

As well as requiring good technical skills, wildlife photographers usually need superb field craft skills. For instance, some animals are hard to approach and the photographers need to understand the animal's behavior to be able to anticipate their actions. Photographing many animals may require using a hide for disguise or good stalking skills.

Equipment used by a Freelance Wildlife Photographer

Wildlife photographs can be shot using basic equipment, but successful photography of many types of wildlife still requires special equipment, for example underwater cameras for marine life and a macro lens for insects. Nonetheless, a brilliant wildlife shot can be taken just because the photographer was in the right place at the right time.

Where to look and apply for jobs

Various magazines such as National Geographic and many of the Airlines’ in-flight magazines hire freelance wildlife photographers for various short-term assignments.

Many people will choose a photographer based on their reputation in the industry plus examples of the photographer's previous work; so a decent portfolio is very important.

Additionally you will be able to make money by holding a stock of wildlife photos and selling these when one of your contacts has relevant requirements.

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