Expert tips for how to take great photos of amazing animals

If you’re passing these pandemic times by searching out nature therapy or honing new creative skills, why not both at once? Bring your camera when roaming outside and capture your own “Animal Planet” moment.

“Being alone in nature helps reset my mind,” says wildlife photographer Jesse Villemaire, one half of Follow Me North Photography, based in Muskoka, Ont. “When I’m in the forest, everything seems less worrisome, and it brings me back to being a child playing outside — the world seemed to stop.”

For partner and co-owner Susan Villemaire, however, it’s about the chase: “You never know when you’ll come across an animal, which keeps you going out again and again. I’ll always be looking for my first lynx encounter or trying to improve on my last photo.”

To help nature enthusiasts take their best shot at wildlife and landscapes, the couple leads photography workshops in Algonquin Provincial Park. Here, they share techniques you can practice anywhere (yes, even in your own backyard).

Plan for the unpredictable

Both Susan and Jesse started their careers in studio photography, where lighting and scenes are constructed and modified. That doesn’t apply in the wilderness: “You’re dealing with objects in motion, and often tricky, lowlight scenarios,” says Susan. To adapt, they usually shoot with their DSLR camera in Aperture Priority (AV mode), and a high ISO to capture subjects in motion. “A lot can already go wrong, so having these settings, even semi-locked, is a game changer and allows you to concentrate on focus points and composition.”

Respect your subject

The couple is big on educating others on the ethics of wildlife photography, emphasizing that no animal should ever be put in harm’s way. “Give it space, respect its boundaries and stay calm. Learn behaviour and common signs of stress,” says Jesse. Never feed — or “bait” — animals to get your shot, and hold off on announcing to Instagram the location of that fox den with kits you just stumbled upon. “Multiple people invading an animal’s space can lead to undue stress and damage to, or abandonment of, their living environment,” warns Jesse. Wild creatures may also get too comfortable around humans, which could have life-or-death consequences later.

Embrace experimentation

While you’ll benefit from some basic photography knowledge, don’t get hung up on the technical aspects of your camera or you’ll miss the moment. “It’s about getting outside, connecting with nature and embracing a bit of playfulness,” says Susan. Also, although you can take snaps with your smartphone, a dedicated camera gives more options — for instance, telephoto lenses allow you to keep a respectful distance, while zooming in on the action. It’ll help you learn composition, depth of field and general esthetics, too.

Practice in your backyard

The pair recommends starting with critters close to home, like squirrels, birds, rabbits or even pets, to get a better grasp of capturing the “moment.” “Track your dog’s movements around the yard — even focus on a particular spot while they’re moving. Or get eye level with a squirrel — and see what makes you stop and take an image,” says Jesse. You may be surprised how many animals are around when you take time to notice.

Be an early bird

According to Susan and Jesse, 5 to 9 a.m. are prime animal spotting/shooting hours. “Many wildlife encounters we’ve experienced happen before the rest of the world awakens,” says Jesse, noting they’ll get up early enough to arrive at their destination before dawn. They also encourage long road trips and taking back-roads, scanning for movement in the forests. They’ve seen owls, deer, moose, bears and foxes this way. “Anything with a heartbeat makes us happy.”

Follow Me North’s favourite places for wildlife photography in and around Toronto

Algonquin Provincial Park. This is the couple’s go-to playground. At dusk or dawn, cruise Highway 60 (safely and below the speed limit, of course) and scan for moose along the roadsides. Want to stretch your legs? The Mizzy Lake Trail offers potential moose and bear sightings.

Killarney Provincial Park. Black bears and even eastern wolves have been spotted here. Take a hike along “The Crack,” which showcases amazing views of the white rock mountains and inland lakes. Don’t forget bug spray!

High Park, Toronto. There’s more to wildlife than large animals. Sharpen your photo skills on the chipmunks, hawks, owls, herons, beavers, frogs, turtles and wood ducks you’ll see here.

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.