ABOVE: On a guided safari with Bollywood celebrity Raveena Tandon
How do I become a Wildlife Photographer ?? If that question sounds familiar, like a bell ringing to your soul, I would say, you are at the right place to get answers. Not an unrealistic but a realistic approach to fulfilling your dream. I am sure many of you have been bugged by the Nat Geo and BBC documentaries, some astounding wildlife photographers and filmmakers, and their incredible work. Yet the scenario in our country is different – Indeed !!
The first and foremost requirement is to get access, (easy or paid access) to our forests, national parks, tiger reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. So, here’s my list of the top 9 ways to make your career in Wildlife Photography.
1. Become an IFS Officer
Indian Forest Service (IFoS) and State PSC (Public service commission) offer jobs in the Forest department of our country for Indian nationals. There are age limits and a few educational criteria that one needs to fulfill and of course – clear the examination and interview. The posts you avail – are based on rank as DFO (Divisional Forest Officer), SDO (Sub Divisional Officer) or ACF (Assistant Conservator of Forest), RFO (Range Forest Officer), etc. Then with promotions, a DFO or DCF (we call), can reach higher positions in the State forest service, become national park Director, Territorial, Social, and Urban forestry directors, and also lead afforestation – reforestation and environmental programs
Opportunities are many as being an officer, you can do photography of all kinds, share stories and contribute a big part of your job in conservation, human-wildlife conflict, restoration projects, camera trapping, strengthening your departmental team against various issues and resolving them with authority and guidance. You will be the person to look up to in the decision-making part.
2. Become a Naturalist
To become a Naturalist you don’t require any educational criteria except the sheer passion for learning about wildlife. Be it identifying and knowing birds, mammals, butterflies, reptiles, insects, and local tree species, you need to become a one-stop for your guests to interpret like an encyclopedia.
Also to apply for a job in an established wildlife lodge, it’s better to have prior experience in this field or do any naturalist course. Pugdundee safaris, Taj safaris, and Jungle lodges provide such courses with certification.
Then, once you join any Wildlife lodge as a Naturalist your job is to create a valuable experience for your guests. You need to bring them closer to nature and inculcate appreciation in their minds about the natural world. You need to be good at spotting wildlife, interpreting bird calls, alarm calls, tracks, and signs, and also an avid storyteller at your safaris and nature walks. This job allows you to be in nature and thus make your photography career.
3. Work in a Wildlife Conservation based NGO
Non-governmental organizations are one of the most important stakeholders in wildlife conservation and alternative livelihood generation programs. They are subtly creating the best scenarios for people living at the fringe of national parks – providing employment, skills, and measures for women empowerment, child education, sanitation, medical facilities, and anti-poaching programs. They also render services on species-specific projects and their conservation and rehabilitation initiatives with the forest officials and villagers.
This also provides a gateway for wildlife photojournalism, photography, and writing wildlife articles on critical issues, which seldom get noticed by the common public.
4. Get into Tour Leading & Guiding
A Wildlife tour leader & Safari guide are also naturalists but are not bound to work with only one particular wildlife lodge. They tie up or work full/part-time with tour operators like NHA, Flying Safari, etc and lead or escort an entire 15-21 day tour, taking Indian and Foreign nationals to several tiger reserves, and bird sanctuaries along with cultural tours like Golden triangle, Varanasi, Khajuraho, etc. You can even freelance creating your own tour company selling various wildlife safari packages and accompanying guests on these tours.
Their job is basically to organize a smooth, hassle-free stay, arrangement, and amazing experience for the group during the entire trip. This allows you to freely sit with the guests on safari, enjoy the services of the lodge where you stay, and also be additional support for interpreting what the in-house naturalist or the park guide misses to convey to your guests on safari. Plus the additional benefits of photography are always there to enjoy.
5. Papa Santa – Rich Dad Benefits to Utilize
Congratulations if you are born into a Rich family where spending lakhs on your Wildlife photography and filming gear, your year-round wildlife trips are all taken care of by your Mum and Dad. Indeed you have more chances as compared to others.
Many of us save an entire year for that special trip whereas some get the opportunity to visit forests every now and then. Thanks to their parents, whom they use as a source to establish their Wildlife career. And, I suppose it’s not at all a problem if you are one of those lucky ones. Utilize that opportunity and create your social media platform, as you have that open door to get big into this field.
6. Become a Wildlife Biologist or Field Researcher
A nomadic life, Wildlife biologists and researchers spend most of their time focusing on single species or conservation projects. Their main duty is to get results based on the hypothesis or the successful implementation of their project’s goal, and mission. This provides access to our forests, opening doors for photography and documenting critically endangered wildlife species.
7. Become a Wildlife photography Mentor
If you have established yourself as a Wildlife photographer in the photography fraternity, you may like to fetch in as an Influencer and mentor to many budding photographers. You can be their mentor and instructor in teaching the nuances of photography, lead wildlife tours, conduct online classes, and even sell courses and make a living.
All these look easy while I write, but it takes a lot of hard work to establish yourself and make a name. But still, it’s doable.
8. Assist an Established Wildlife photographer in a Project
Wildlife photographers are always looking to capture rare moments in the wild. They are keen to work with the forest department on projects like camera trapping, coffee table books, biodiversity and species documentation, film-making, and helping in photojournalism of the department’s conservation work.
One can assist an established photographer in this, learn the basics of wildlife photography, and later start writing proposals for getting funds for his/her own project.
9. Choose a Professional Career & then do Wildlife Photography
Having a professional career, where you earn plenty or either being a successful businessman, these professions provide you with an ample amount of money to spend in making a hobbyist career in wildlife photography. Your weekends and holidays are spent in the jungles where you make the most of your time photographing and documenting wildlife.
In my opinion, either a professional career or becoming an IFS officer is the best way to enjoy both worlds – with less struggle and a great balance of financial security, family, and social life.