TESNI WARD

Put the effort in beforehand to maximise your chances of getting a great shot

When it comes to photographing wildlife, it’s important to recognise that luck will always play a pivotal role in your success. Despite this, it’s possible to sway the odds in your favour by dedicating as much time as possible towards your chosen project, whether you choose to focus on a specific species, location or genre.

Often the most strenuous work is put in before a single image is taken. Finding locations that are well-suited to photography, getting to grips with the habits and routines of the subject you’ve chosen, and identifying the best angles to shoot from in terms of light and activity are all vital in the early stages if you are to maximise the potential of the site when you go to shoot.

By utilising trail cameras, I’m able to cover several sites at any one time to try and identify what wildlife is in the area and whether their routines will allow me to photograph them.