How to Get Close to Wild Animals Without Scaring Them Away

How to Closely Approach Wildlife for Photography

You don't always need a massive lens to take great wildlife photos. Often, you just need better outdoor skills. Approaching wild animals takes patience, soft movements, and respect for the animal.

Here is how you can safely get closer to wildlife without scaring them away.

1. Never Walk Straight at an Animal

Predators walk straight toward their target. If you walk directly at an animal, it will panic and run away.

• Walk in a Zig-Zag: Move at a slight angle instead of heading straight for the subject.
• Move Only When They Look Away: Advance slowly while the animal eats or looks the other way. The moment it raises its head to look at you, stop and freeze.
• Get Down Low: Crouch down or crawl on your knees. Staying low makes you look smaller and far less threatening. It also gives you a great ground-level angle for your photo.

2. Pay Attention to the Wind

Wild animals have a keen sense of smell. They will smell you long before they see or hear you.

• Always approach from downwind. This means the wind should blow from the animal toward you, carrying your scent away from them.
• Avoid wearing strong scents like perfume, cologne, or scented soap when you go out to shoot.

3. Use Natural Cover or a Blind

• Wear Plain Colors: Choose muted colors like green, brown, or gray. Avoid bright white or neon clothing.
• Break Up Your Shape: Stand near trees, tall grass, or large rocks so your body does not stand out against the open sky.
• Invest in a portable blind. I own this ultra-portable blind that breaks down into a backpack. There are newer versions which are larger. Plus, these larger blinds give you 270 or even 360 degrees of view while you remain invisible inside of them.
• Use Your Car as a Hide if you don't want to buy one. Animals are used to seeing cars and usually do not mind them. Parking safely on the side of the road and shooting through your car window is an easy way to get close without disturbing wildlife.

4. Know When to Back Away

Never put a photo ahead of yours or an animal's safety. Watch for simple warning signs that show the animal is stressed:

• Birds: Bobbing their heads, twitching their wings, or making loud warning calls.
• Mammals: Pinning their ears back, staring hard at you, stamping their feet, or stopping eating completely.

If you see any of these signs, stop moving immediately. Look down at the ground and don't point your camera at them. Then take a few steps back. Give the animal space so it feels safe again.

Birds will often fly away. However, large mammals can charge at you if you don't respect their warning signs.

Buffalo, elk, and bears can kill you. Plus, while deer or even rodents like beaver or racoon might seem less harmful they can seriously hurt you. In fact, even an angry squirrel can turn a fun day of wildlife photography into a trip to the emergency room.

In Conclusion

Use these tips to get closer to wildlife without scaring them off. Save money you'd otherwise spend on a bigger lens and get more intimate photos. Just remember to do so safely.

If you're in the Atlanta area sign up for a private lesson. I can show you first hand how to use all of these tips for greater success.

Do You Need A 600mm lens for wildlife photography?

If you missed it here is my video on 600mm lenses. In it I talk about how getting closer to wildlife allows you to use a 400mm or even smaller lens to get great wildlife photos.