A Guide To Responsible Wildlife Photography (From Some of My Favorite Long Island Photographers)

Red Fox - Photo by Adrianna DeVillacian

There are pros and cons to the surge in interest around wildlife photography that has been sweeping Instagram over the past few years. On one hand, that need to get as close to the subject as possible “for the gram” can cause serious stress to the subject - affecting every aspect of their life from hunting to raising their young. On the other side of the trend is the amazing platform it creates for raising awareness around important issues like local conservation and species awareness. Those who take it up as a hobby can find grounding in being outdoors in close proximity to the wide array of species that we share Long Island with. This becomes particularly important in a day-and-age where we are constantly overstimulated by too much screen time and often miss out on the beauty in these intimate moments.

It’s important that we as a community try to steer people towards the latter and do our best to welcome and educate photographers interested in wildlife as their subject. For that reason, I wanted to talk to some of my favorite Long Island-based wildlife photographers about what makes it such a special hobby (or profession) and how we can all be responsible in our approach.

Long Eared Owl - Photo by Tony Trapani

Thank you to the following photographers for taking part! 

Garrett Camasi (@creaturecatalog) - Garrett is a Long Island based zoologist and wildlife photographer. He’s studied wildlife all over the world, and is a great ambassador for the Long Island outdoors community. I previously had the honor of working with him on the NTVLI blog, Long Island Canines: The Native (Red Fox) and the Newcomer (Coyote). In addition to following his main Instagram account, you can also check out his website (creaturecatalog.org) and follow his other IG account, @Wild_LongIsland. 

Shane Etter (@BigOleMrKanish) - I often refer to Shane as the “Owl Whisperer” as there are few out there that do a better job of cataloging owls on Long Island. He’s a frequent collaborator of NTVLI, and a mate with Triton Fishing Charter who I try to get out with as much as possible. He’s an incredible photographer and possesses a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Long Island wildlife. 

JR Aurature (@AuratureWildlife) - JR is an extremely talented photographer and passionate conservationist. I had the pleasure of collaborating with him on a previous article about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. In addition to his beautiful wildlife photography, you can also follow his @Aurature_Universal account for more of his work.

Adrianna DeVillacian (@adriannadevilla) - Adrianna’s does a great job of documenting the many ways in which we can interact with the outdoors world in a responsible way. Her account has become a favorite follow of mine and always adds a touch of inspiration to my feed. She’s also got a background in science that added a special element to this article. 

Tony Trapani (@_Big_Chooch) - Tony, along with Shane and JR, set the standard for local bird photographers. I’m always in awe of the shots he’s able to get and I find myself pushing to be better at my craft when I look at his gallery. 

Liana Jonas (@lianajonasphotography) - I’ve only recently discovered Liana’s work but she has quickly become a favorite of mine. In particular, the way she captures intimate moments with birds is a gift that I consider lucky to be able to witness. You can find more of her photography and her personal blog at lianajonasphotography.com.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler - Photo by Garrett Camasi

Conservation and interest in photography both grow from the same root of passion and curiosity. To start this blog, I asked each of the participating photographers what first drew them to wildlife photography.

Garrett Camasi  - When I was studying in South Africa, I became absolutely enthralled with capturing wild moments. The tension between predator and prey, the bond between mother and fawn, the migration of avian species, unforgettable sunsets and sunrises, and so much more. One of the guides had shown me how to begin using manual mode on my old Nikon d3000 camera, and I became addicted to the challenges of learning the craft. 

Adrianna DeVillacian - I have a terribly cliché answer, honestly. My inspiration began when I was really little, my dad and I would watch National Geographic together and I found it so cool that people could take care of animals and study their sociological and psychological habits and do that as their job. I started daydreaming of the day I’d live in the rainforest studying tigers and chimpanzees. From there my love for wild animals led me to conservation networks where I learned first about Jane Goodall and her work. In college I studied biological anthropology and was mentored by a national archaeologist. The stories he’d share in class about the digs he worked on were so fascinating and I started dreaming about the day I would work in a museum or as a zoological scientist. It has been a lifelong passion! 

Tony Trapani -  I’ve always loved being outside and animals as far back as I can remember but what really drew me into wildlife photography was a great horned owl and nest in a local park that I just became obsessed with seeing in my very own backyard. Living on Long Island my entire life, I had never seen one. And that’s where it all began.

JR Aurature - I've had a love of the outdoors since I was a child. I'd have to say that the initial draw came on a trip to Maine many years ago when I encountered two moose. My main focus was landscapes at the time but watching these two animals interact and capturing that moment really sparked my interest in learning more about wildlife which would, in turn, morph into a desire to tell their story.

Shane Etter - I was first drawn to wildlife photography by Instagram believe it or not. Thanks to some extremely talented local photographers, I found out Long Island was home to so much wildlife and I made it my mission to try and capture it for myself.

Liana Jonas - I am my most authentic self when out in nature. And I wanted to photograph what I loved. It was another way for me to freeze moments in time, hold on to and revisit them, and once again feel the joy I felt at the time of the photographic encounter. I am unable to fully articulate my profound love of, and reverence for, wildlife and nature. I am captivated and humbled by it all. It’s how I’m built, hardwired. I always feel a sense of wonder and awe for the beings I am privileged to observe. My grandparents had a house out in Noyac, and that’s where it all began for me. I have been a nature and wildlife lover since I was a young child. My world was Long Beach, Short Beach, and Long Wharf. I loved watching the chipmunks who lived under the shed. I’d excitedly greet the mallards who would come to our front door every morning during the summer. Morton’s was a hangout for me long before it became a “hotspot.” I used to run to the fields on the east end to be with the deer. I never did get to hang out with them, but, boy, my legs would sure get covered in ticks! Then, wait—what? I can take photos of all this? Sign me up!

American Oystercatchers - Photo by Liana Jonas

Long Island is underrated for the diversity of wildlife that calls it home. What are some species that we have that you think people would be surprised by?

Garrett Camasi - Great question! I think a lot of people overlook birds, of all sizes. We have over 400 different bird species that visit the island, whether they migrate or they are residents, and they are all incredibly fun and challenging to identify. People are of course drawn to raptors, the Snowy Owls, Bald Eagles, but we also have incredibly small Saw-Whet Owls, North America’s smallest falcons, the american kestrels, and so many more. 

We have a great variety of amphibian species as well! Red-Spotted Newts, Eastern Tiger, Redback and marbled Salamanders, and a lot of different frogs and toads! 

Also, the island has 13 different species of snakes too!

Shane Etter - The amount of ocean life on our shores always surprises me. Whales, dolphins, bluefin and yellowfin tuna, and of course sharks. I myself was stunned when I discovered Long Island was home to so many owl species.

Liana Jonas - It’s funny you ask this. In addition to wildlife photography, I am also very much into native gardening. I was at a nursery the other day, and a worker there said, “Long Island, its natives aren’t flashy or anything.” I think that is the same perception of the wildlife here. But the everyday Long Islander I don’t think is aware of all that is out here. In terms of species, I would say I get lots of surprised reactions (by non-birders) to American Bald Eagle photos I post. “We have those here?” River otters surprise folks, too (I think I’m even a bit surprised they’re here, in the best possible way).

JR Aurature - This is a tough one because social media has revealed a lot of the species that people would not normally know that we have here. That on top of news coverage of these species. For instance, coverage of the migratory snowy owl really piqued people's interests over the years, where in years past it would have been something that only wildlife photographers and enthusiasts were aware of.

Snowy Owl - Photo by JR Aurature

What makes Long Island a special place for Wildlife Photographers? 

Adrianna DeVillacian - I think the conservation efforts and surrounding environment- i.e combination of dense woods, pine barrens and oceanfront- create a balanced ecosystem where a diverse group of wildlife and flora thrive. This open, rich land provides ample space for photographers and scientists to watch wildlife responsibly from afar.

Tony Trapani - I truly believe Long Island is its own little world.. With its seasons brings so much diverse wildlife that many people don’t even realize we have. It’s completely taken for granted. Our very own backyard is completely filled with so many beautiful species, some here all year and some seasonal.

Garrett Camasi - The diverse habitats, for sure. There are saltwater marshes giving homes to wading birds, wide open plains giving homes to bluebirds and meadowlarks, freshwater ponds with various amphibian species, deciduous forests with owls and warblers, and the beaches of course, where we can see shorebirds and whales!

JR Aurature - I guess I'd have to say it's our diversity in habitats, between woods, wetlands, the ocean and what's left of open fields. There is a wide range of wildlife to find here, specifically in terms of birds. Our beaches are crucial nesting sites for shorebirds. The preservation of these areas are crucial to the longevity of their species.

Shane Etter - It’s special in the sense that wildlife and suburbia meet somewhere in the middle. Fox, Owls, Hawks and reptiles can all be found in people’s backyards! 

Liana Jonas - Nothing beats Long Island. I know—the taxes, ridiculously high cost of living, increasing pollution, overdevelopment of natural spaces, overpopulation. The ticks!!! But, in spite of all that, there is so much beauty here. Nothing beats our shorelines, wetlands, grasslands, and parks. There are still some remote spots to be found. Our abundant coastal areas make Long Island a special place for wildlife photographers. We are very fortunate to have this.

Harbor Seal - Photo by Shane Etter

What is the most rewarding aspect of wildlife photography? 

Garrett Camasi - With wildlife photography, there are so many ways to fail, but overcoming the struggles and the failures make wildlife photography so rewarding. I have sat patiently, for hours, and hours, and hours on end, sometimes in the snow, the rain, the hot sun, getting bit by bugs, all for a chance to take a photo.

When you finally see the species you waited to see, whatever it may be, the adrenaline kicks in and if you’ve nailed the shot you’ve been waiting for, it is pure joy. 

I truly enjoy the struggle of photographing and filming true wild species, it is incredibly difficult in the beginning, knowing how close is too close, how far is too far for your camera’s ability to crop the photo. Trial and error through various camera settings too make it rewarding when you get that one perfect shot you’ve been waiting months, or even years for. 

Adrianna DeVillacian - I’d say seeing an animal in the wild is something I’ll never grow tired of. The first time I looked up in a tree and locked eyes with an eagle, or the first time a fox vixen crossed my path and stopped to watch me watch her will never leave me. Photographing them becomes a personal keepsake, a living memory. And sharing it, to me, is a way of celebrating the beauty of our world and allows me an opportunity to share the importance of conservation and our responsibility as nature guardians to take care of our planet and her inhabitants.

Tony Trapani - The most rewarding is when you actually find what you’ve set to look for. I’ve spent countless hours, days and weeks looking for certain subjects. Some days I went out and found absolutely nothing but I never let it discourage me. But then on that day. You just never forget exactly what you were feeling. The excitement leaves you speechless. That’s my reward. Passion will get you many places

JR Aurature - I'd have to say that it's the learning that I get out of it. The delicate balance that exists within nature that I think the human race has lost sight of. There is a reason for each creature out there. Watching and learning their habits has taught me so much more of the world of excess in which we live. 

Liana Jonas - Oh, there are so many. If I had to categorize them, I’d say there are personal, social, and wildlife rewards. Nature and wildlife feed my soul, and just being out there in that is rewarding. The mental health benefits are bar none. I love poring over the photos I take. Whether it’s a unique facial expression I’ve captured, a tender moment, the way the sun is cascading, splashed water droplets, a thrilling inter-species encounter—I live for all of that. Another rewarding aspect—and this is deeply personal to me—is when my subject does not alter its behavior because of my presence. That is my metric of success, and my inner compass to wildlife photography. When others get joy from my photos, that is entirely rewarding to me. I treasure every comment I get about how my photos made a day better, or made someone smile. That is priceless to me. I am so moved by all the social media comments I received during the height of the pandemic, thanking me for offering a bright spot during those dark days. It is rewarding to use photography as a means to advocate for wildlife and the environment, both of whom are voiceless and helpless to humans. We hold their lives in our hands in many ways, and with that comes tremendous responsibility. I wish people thought more of this.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird - Photo by Garrett Camasi

What is your goal when you step out into the field to photograph wildlife? 

Garrett Camasi - I always go out with the mindset of “we’ll see what we’ll see” - because nothing in wildlife photography is as simple as going out to photograph something… usually. You never know what you’re going to come across. You may be going to the beach to photograph shorebirds, but end up seeing bottlenose dolphins chasing a school of fish, or an osprey diving into the ocean that has caught a huge fish to feed its mate and babies. 

I never really plan to see one specific species, because in the past I’ve been stuck in the tunnel vision of just finding that one specific species and missing out on the other species and interactions going on around me.

Adrianna DeVillacian - Every time I disappear into the forest or sit in the outer brush waiting for a deer or fox or bluebird to happen upon where I am and I begin to grow tired and frustrated and decide it’s time to leave- that’s always when the magic happens. Or I’ll be sad and in a funk and I happen across all my favorite animals in my hike and it feels like it’s my birthday. Regardless of what, when I enter the woods or stand before the ocean- or attempt to capture a moment in time- I learn something about myself and about the world. And I leave feeling a bit better off.

JR Aurature - My goal is to tell their story. To capture and convey a glimpse of the lives of these beautiful creatures. The more we know about them and their integral part in our environment the more people may care to preserve them.

When you’re out in the field, what is your approach when you come across an individual that you would like to get a shot of?

Tony Trapani - Usually I have to shake off the excitement and take a minute or two because the excitement will literally make my hands shake. I take a couple of breaths and try and enjoy the moment firsthand with my eyes and then I patiently try and get that shot!

JR Aurature - A slow approach is crucial. It's easy to get excited and forget that they do not know our intentions. Most of the time they will see us well before we see them. Their well-being should always take precedence over a shot. There is a subtle communication between myself and my subject. I like to get to know their body language so this way I know if I have infringed upon their comfort zone. 

Shane Etter - Be slow and be quiet. It will help if you are alone. Wild animals are not always trusting of groups of people. I’ve found it helps to move slowly and quietly and to take your time approaching your subject. 

Liana Jonas - Patience. Patience. Patience. Slowwwwwww movements. And remaining pin-drop quiet. This past winter, during one of my outings, I wanted to get some photos of mergansers. They can be super skittish, understandably. They are so beautiful and full of personality. But if they get wind of you, they are gone. I located a pair and they were preening and swimming super close to land. I was hundreds of feet away when I spotted them. I walked painstakingly slow, with stops and starts along the way, head held down, and in a zigzag pattern, to approach them. I make myself small. If there are trees, shrubs, and neighboring objects, I use those as well to be discreet. You don’t want to just directly beeline toward your subject. I eventually made it to the mergansers, who were not bothered by my presence. I laid on the ground behind a mound of rocks, and waited a bit more. Once I saw they were unfazed by me, I started taking the photos. They did not change their activity. They were about 15 feet away from me, and they stayed by me for a good 20 minutes. That was a great morning. That is success.

Osprey - Photo by Shane Etter

Birding is a unique aspect of wildlife photography. How does your approach to photographing birds differ from shooting land based creatures?

Garrett Camasi - A golden rule is to always be at eye level with your subject… with terrestrial species, it is easy because we can lay on the ground or photograph on our knees, but with birds… they fly and can perch high! This question somewhat can be broken down into 2 sections - flying birds and perched birds. 

For perched birds, the closer you approach a bird in a tree, you’ll begin photographing it at an unflattering angle.  Also, it’s hard to get a crisp, clear shot, with a blurred background when the bird is in heavy foliage, so you’d want to find a perch that is commonly used by the bird you want to photograph, with a background that is far away from the subject to achieve that blurred out background that all wildlife photographers strive for.

As for birds in flight, a shutter speed of at least 1/1600 or 1/2000 is necessary to freeze them in place and prevent motion blur. A trick, if you can manage it, is to shoot the birds flying up-wind so they are flying more slowly and you have more time to react and to take more photos. But of course, you want to place yourself with the sun at your back so you have optimal lighting for your photo, but with this hobby, sometimes you just have to work with what ya got!

Tony Trapani - I learned this one quickly. Things can change in .01 second. You’ve always got to be ready with your finger on the trigger. It’s been a huge learning experience for me as I’m constantly learning. I’m surrounded by great people who have taught me a lot but it never ends the learning. My approach is constantly being on your toes. 

JR Aurature - While shooting land-based creatures and birds are  different, they are also a lot alike. I predominantly focus on birds especially on Long Island because that is what we have the most variety of. Birding is very much about knowing the time of year to search for your subject and the habitat in which they thrive. But in either case it always goes back to that comfort zone. The more distance that you give the subject and the less noise you make,the more likely they are to go about their day-to-day business which is what I want to capture.

Adrianna DeVillacian - I’d say a slight of hand and quick camera! With birds you have to be quieter and quicker. Practically as silent as a tree. I also would say it takes a bit more creativity from time to time, for instance I get some of my best shots when I climb a tree and hang out for a while. If you stay still, you’ll see and find many birds flutter and fly about. If you respect them they tend to not have a problem with you.

Shane Etter - I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to spend so much time tracking down a species of bird, just to have it fly away when you finally find it. Patience is key. Be quiet and move slowly and if the bird gives you any signs that it’s uncomfortable with your presence, then back off. 

Liana Jonas - You have to look up! That is unique to bird photography. While I strive for eye-level photos, that is not always possible with winged creatures. You have to be prepared for very fast and erratic movements. Birds do not sit still. A fast shutter speed is typically a must, especially with the little ones. Know you will be deleting lots of photos. I’m not ashamed to say that. Sometimes you get a surprise sighting. I remember once I was photographing some willets wading in the shallows. They weren’t moving all that much, so my shutter speed was fairly slow. I happened to turn around, and a bald eagle was flying low and directly toward me. You have to be comfortable with changing your camera settings on the fly, and be prepared for anything.

Lawrence Warbler - Photo by JR Aurature

There’s a tendency for inexperienced photographers to want to try to get as close to their subject as possible, which can stress out the animal. What’s the best way to get great shots without invading your subject's space?

Garrett Camasi - This is a topic that should be covered at least monthly from nat geo, bbc, and all the big publishers that people look up to. We are all in love with photos that are up close, personal, crisp, sharp, and emotional. But have you ever seen a professional wildlife photographer close to animals? No way, they have professional gear and professional ethics.

There is a trend right now to have VERY up close photos of the subject, crisp and sharp. The best way for inexperienced photographers to get closer is to know their subject. Know the species, know what annoys them, their behavior, and how they show it. We tend to only know our human’s behavior, as well as our common house pets behavior… but for wild birds and wild animals, it’s different. Know your species, then begin to know the individual animal you are photographing. I’ve had some owls that are okay with my presence and I’ve had some owls that are disturbed by my presence from over a quarter mile away. Knowing the individual is key.

Big telephoto lenses are also essential so you can stay a good distance away, while zooming in to photograph your subject. Sigma and Tamron came out with entry-level telephoto lenses that a lot of people have/have started out with.

A camera with a high megapixel sensor is also very helpful so you can crop down your images to make them appear closer, while retaining a fair amount of detail. 

At the end of the day, being respectful to the animals is the best thing you can do. I have missed out on amazing opportunities to take shots, because of my ethics. I would rather see an animal happy, grooming, sleeping, whatever behavior, all at peace. We have encroached on their land, not the other way around. We need to give them space.

JR Aurature - The first thing that you're going to need is a long telephoto lens. The longer the better. Animals do not know what our intentions are and the more space we give them, the more comfortable they will be. We see photos posted online and it seems as though we are a lot closer than we are. This is not the case for ethical wildlife photographers. I'd say you're going to want a lens that shoots at least 500-600mm. Those photos are usually then cropped. Some photographers even use teleconverters which expands the distance that the lens can capture.

Liana Jonas - I think the first and most important thing is mindset. These are wild animals who operate in fight or flight mode. Eat, sleep, breed, survive. Rinse. Repeat. Our photography is of no interest to them. Our news feeds are not on their radar. We are guests in their very precise and intricate worlds. And we need to respect that. Trying to get too close too fast will, as you’ve said, stress the animal, and that is not what we want. You have to hone in on your field skills. Learn the behaviors of the animals you want to take photos of. You want to blend with the environment. I lay on the ground a lot. Slow and steady. Be prepared to miss lots of shots. And that’s okay. Because it’s not about us, it’s about them. I cannot stress this enough, if they change what they’re doing because of you, you are too close, and they are not comfortable. Let that be your compass.

White Tailed Deer - Photo by Adrianna DeVillacian

Are there certain ways that a photographer can feel out/approach an animal (safely) to figure out the right distance before their presence disturbs the individual they’re trying to photograph? 

Garrett Camasi - On Long Island we don’t have any deadly species on land, and it makes a lot of photographers feel over-confident with their abilities to walk up to sensitive species. 

This question varies from animal to animal, from individual to individual. It’s different from birds to mammals, songbirds to raptors, shorebirds to foxes, and more. 

For some birds, they will incessantly yell at you harshly if you are too close (songbirds), some birds will raise their tail feathers up and down in a continuous motion letting you know you’re too close (kestrels), some birds will stress-poop (a lot of raptors and small birds). Some birds dive-bomb, some birds do attack back. When you’ve encroached too far, it is quite dangerous to do this to eagles and larger raptors.

If you’ve gotten too close to a bird and caused it to fly away, then it isn’t an open invitation to photograph it at its next perch. Learn from your mistakes, instead of making the same mistakes over and over and causing animals to be sensitive and nervous around humans. 

Less is more with these animals. Behave calmly, cautiously, and respectfully, and you’ll get a lot farther with the hobby than someone who is boisterous and isn’t respectful.

Adrianna DeVillacian - Yes. An animal speaks most with their eyes and body posture. With deer you see their ears prick back, their eyes grow wider, you see their chest rise and fall faster. Fox will stop and narrow their eyes, watching with a paw extended forward. And when we take a step closer to them they often run or walk away. That’s our signal to leave them alone. We never want an animal to feel it has to run from us because we are following it. Owls will watch you intently, only making a move if you appear threatening. Most bird species seem to know when you see them and fly away. And chipmunks scurry away before you even realized it was a chipmunk 🤣 As naturally empathic beings, we know when an animal feels uncomfortable or unsafe. And even if we know we are not a threat to them, we have to respect their space before our desire to photograph them. Animals are inquisitive and many enjoy observing humans too. We just need to respect each other's personal and home space and coexist compassionately.

Tony Trapani - I think a lot has to do with reading the room. If you observe them from a distance you can see how relaxed they are. But If when you start to approach you start to notice different body language or darting eyes you’ve gotten too close. You’ve given them a reason to want to move. At that point it’s best to stay still and not make any kind of quick movements and back away slowly and give them their personal space.

Shane Etter - Yes. Start far away, if you find yourself getting closer and the animal is getting stressed, you must back up slowly.

Bald Eagle - Photo by Tony Trapani

What are some common mistakes that new wildlife photographers make when approaching a subject?

Adrianna DeVillacian - A: Trying to follow an animal that does not want their attention. This can stress the animal out and can be dangerous for the photographer. We must keep them wild and remember they are wild animals and they are very smart and often stronger than us. We are there to observe, silently fawn over (haha) and leave without impacting them negatively. 

Tony Trapani - The most common mistake is always getting too close. or feeling that it’s OK to approach a nest or a resting subject. You have to think, would you like someone walking up on you as you were trying to eat? Taking a rest? Enjoy from a safe distance always and You just may be surprised how more naturally they will act instead of being flushed out

Shane Etter - Unfortunately it’s not always the new photographers that make the mistakes. I’ve witnessed seasoned veterans breaking branches and throwing rocks at subjects to get their attention toward the camera. Don’t do any of that. Like I said, be patient. Every creature will eventually look your way to check you out. 

Liana Jonas - Moving too quickly and approaching head on. I tend to pick a spot, and stay put. The wildlife eventually shows up and comes to me. And when it does, I don’t just start clicking. I wait a bit, and let them get used to me. Then I slowly begin photographing. If it’s a bird like an owl or piping plover that has sensitive conservation status, I make sure to take my photos and move on. Don’t linger and stalk your subject. Another common mistake is walking like a herd of elephants. You’ve got to walk like you are walking on eggshells—softly. One snapped twig under your foot can sound thunderous in a quiet forest. The same holds true for dead leaves on the ground. The sound of their crunch in the still of a quiet morning may as well be a jackhammer pounding into concrete. Walk softly!

Red Fox - Photo by Liana Jonas

What role can wildlife photographers play in conserving the lands and wildlife that they love?

Garrett Camasi - A massive role. Most, if not all, wildlife photographers love… wildlife! We love animals, we love nature and beautiful habitats… but we have a powerful tool in our hands to show it to others, cameras! 

Showcase your work, show how absolutely stunning animals are in their true habitats. Show why Piping Plovers need protected nesting sites along the beach. Learn about your species, write about your species, and document your species, we all can make a positive change in creating new perspectives on how the world views wildlife. Conservation through photography is one of my mottos!

Adrianna DeVillacian - Observe, study, learn, educate and get proactive in local conservation societies! Something even as small as building your own pollinator friendly, eco balanced garden can help create a safe home or vacation spot for an animal in need! Plant trees, spread flower bombs in areas that have been negatively impacted and need help rebuilding. Make sure to learn about endangered fauna and flora and stay away from areas where flora has been heavily affected. Let it regrow. Keep away from mating areas and don’t bother animals during certain seasons of their life where human involvement can negatively impact them. Unless you are an active conservation student or scientist, it’s best to leave animals that are endangered alone. It’s also important to note that when possible, try to use products at home that don’t contain toxic and harmful ingredients so waste water doesn’t back up into local reservoirs! 

Tony Trapani - Most definitely keeping informed. Respecting the land and wildlife that call this place home. sharing information through posts and while being out in the field. I find reward in sharing information with those who pass by and ask me, old and young. 

JR Aurature - The photographs are a starting point into introducing the lives of the wildlife that we love to others and hopefully getting others to care for them. If they are going to be posted online to social media, a narrative is very effective in teaching about these animals and what people can do to conserve the lands that these animals live in. We can also provide resources and get involved with organizations that seek to protect native habitats.

Shane Etter - They can be the voice in preserving our lands here on Long Island and treating our wooded areas and beaches with respect.

Liana Jonas - Oh, so much can be done. If there are posted boundaries, respect them and do not enter (dunes, nesting sites, etc.). Don’t encroach upon nests and dens—keep your distance. This one seems obvious, but do not bait animals. There are far too many accounts of foxes and deer being fed, owls being baited. Fed wildlife is dead wildlife. Period. If you feed birds, use good quality seed and/or nuts made for birds, and never feed them bread (as bread is harmful to them). If you see garbage, and you are able to do so, pick it up and dispose of it. I routinely collect fishing line, deflated balloons, lures, and hooks and throw them in the trash (or put them in a bag till I can get to a trash can). Don’t crowd the animals. I purposely avoid situations where throngs of photographers gather to photograph a rare bird. For instance, we had a couple of rare visitors this past winter. I went a couple of times to try to observe them. My heart sank when I went. There were tons of photographers, both on foot and in cars and trucks. They were following and driving after these poor creatures who were trying to hunt. Eating equals survival for them, and their meals were interrupted. I left. I never did get to see these rare visitors. I did not want to be another human that the animal had to deal with. Crowding birds and animals has tragic consequences. They will avoid eating and performing other basic life functions because of it. Human disturbance kills wildlife. Don’t be a part of it.

White Tailed Deer - Photo by Rich Nardo

Any closing thoughts or advice for people new to wildlife photography?

Garrett Camasi - Wildlife photography is hard, it’s not a skill you can ever truly master. I’ve talked to a few people who have worked for nat geo for over 30 years, and they tell me they’re still learning all the time. Be humble and work hard at it. Learn your camera from the inside out so that you can use it faster and more efficiently. Learn about the species you want to photograph, be open-minded and kind to others who you may see filming or photographing wildlife. If you are truly passionate about it, don’t ever stop, just keep learning from your mistakes.

Adrianna DeVillacian - Have fun, start with whatever you can. It’s easy to look at photographers who have been doing it for a long time and doubt or judge ourselves, but it won’t help us be a better photographer. Be one with nature when you’re out there. Feel the breeze on your skin, smell the salty air of the ocean or the musky perfume of the woods, watch the trees dance and listen for the music all around you. Climb a tree, nestle in her limbs and feel the connection you have to her. In so many ways humans are like trees. Watch the sunset over the sea and count the stars in the sky when it gets dark. If you feel one with nature, she invites you in. My goal each time I go into the woods is to become a part of it. To disconnect momentarily from my humanity and touch that primal feeling deep within. 

Tony Trapani - First remember to always Have fun. Have patience and be patient. Enjoy the moments and be present. Some of my best memories were not taken with a camera but enjoying with my own eyes.

JR Aurature - Wildlife photography is probably one of the trickiest and most difficult areas of photography to tackle. Success does not happen overnight and takes a lot of practice. I will always consider myself a student because there is always more to learn. Respect your subject, keep your distance, and never bait your subject to get photos. Another thing to remember is that there will be many days when you don't come back with any shots but any time spent in nature is productive and good for the soul.

Shane Etter - Be patient, do research, and reach out. There is so much available information on the internet pertaining to local wildlife. Make sure to learn about it before you get out in the field. Don’t expect to get lucky. Most of my photos are the products of a ton of time and effort. 

Liana Jonas - Yes, and this can apply to non-photographers as well. Wildlife is not here for human entertainment. We are not more than them. We are all here with the same objective: to survive and live freely. Their purpose is not to make sure we get great photos and fill our social media feeds. We are profoundly lucky to live amongst wildlife and have the beautiful planet we do. Every photo I take and each moment spent observing wildlife are a privilege. I take and post photos of wildlife because when you love something so much, you want to share it, and have others feel the same excitement you do. This all said, be respectful of your subjects. They are trying to get by like the rest of us. You want to be a champion, an advocate, and ally. More and more, the survival of wildlife depends on humans. Even small acts make a difference. If you remember one thing, it should be this: If your subject’s behavior changes in your presence, you are too close, they are aware, and they are uncomfortable. The photographic experience should be seamless for your subject. To help achieve this, you’ll need a telephoto lens. I’d recommend a minimum of 300mm. And practice, practice, practice. Also, if something feels or looks unethical, it likely is. Don’t be that photographer. I promise you, you can get amazing photos, close-up photos, and do so ethically. I recently photographed piping plovers on a remote stretch of beach. I cannot tell you how much I love them, and I am super sensitive to their conservation status. I never forget how fragile their lives are. I picked a spot on the shore and sat down (far from their protected nesting areas), and at the time, there were no plovers in the area. So, I sat and waited. When you see some of the photos I took, it looks like I’m very close to the plovers, and I was. But not because I approached them. They were comfortable foraging all around me. I didn’t want to linger, so I grabbed some photos and left. Audubon has a wonderful guide on ethical wildlife photography. It can be found here: https://www.audubon.org/get-outside/audubons-guide-ethical-bird-photography. There is a wonderful world of Long Island wildlife out there. Respect it. Be kind to it. Enjoy it. The photos will follow.

Thanks again to all of this exceptional group of photographers who took the time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions and let me use their work in this article! I hope that all of the aspiring photographers who happened across this article found it helpful and strengthened their passion for this rewarding hobby and the safe ways we can approach the amazing wildlife we’re lucky enough to share this land with!