Behavior Before the Shutter: Ethical Wildlife Photography

We live in a world where capturing and sharing photos is easier than ever—everyone has a camera and social media in their pocket. So, what separates a dedicated wildlife photographer from a person with a smartphone on safari?

Most people would say it comes down to gear and technical photography skills, and they would be right. Smartphones still can't match the versatility of high-end cameras and lenses, and there is no replacement for the techniques and technical skills of experienced photographers. However, to be truly impactful wildlife photographers, we must acquire an additional, entirely separate set of skills—one that goes beyond shutter speeds and f-stops and starts way before the camera comes up to the eye.