How to get started as a wildlife photographer with the Nikon Z6III

“Growing up in a zoo was an incredible experience that really shaped the way I view wildlife and conservation,” Cam says, describing how his love of the animal kingdom was ignited pretty much from birth, as his family lived and worked at Hertfordshire Zoo (formerly Paradise Wildlife Park), and also later, in 2000, at The Big Cat Sanctuary. “Being surrounded by so many different species from a young age gave me a deep, emotional connection to animals.”

In 2019, along with his brothers Aaron and Tyler, Cam launched Drive4Wildlife, a conservation mission across East Africa, which caught the attention of the TV industry, leading to the creation of the children’s TV series One Zoo Three now in its fifth season. One of the projects he’s currently shining a spotlight on is The Big Cat Sanctuary’s Big Cats in Crisis campaign, which involves the rescue of five African lions from zoos in war-torn Ukraine and relocating them to the UK where they’ll be provided with a safe haven.

While initially trained in video and editing, Cam’s journey into wildlife photography began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he decided to photograph his animals when filming for their show had, like everything, been paused. “Knowing that we had our TV show coming out, I wanted to start raising my profile on social media. At the time, TikTok was the app that everyone was using so I thought, why not post something and see if people like it? My first ever video was one of me taking photos of animals in the snow at the zoo. It hit about 75,000 views overnight, so I decided to start posting more of my adventures taking photos of animals around the zoo. I went from 0 followers to 180,000 in about two weeks, and my work started to be seen by some awesome people and organisations.

About a year later, I had about half a million followers and was looking for a new camera to up my game. I had tried my guide’s Nikon camera when I was on safari in India and I really wanted one, so I sent an enquiry just to say, “What camera would you recommend on this budget?” and they passed me onto the Nikon team. I jumped on a Zoom call and was offered the opportunity to be a Nikon Creator. It was probably one of the proudest moments in my life.”

The beauty of wildlife photography is it’s a genre anyone can try. Of course, Cam’s case is slightly more unusual than most, as he lives so close to such a dynamic and diverse variety of wildlife, but whether it’s a roaming gull, skittish squirrel or busy bumblebee, subjects can be found everywhere you look. So for enthusiasts who have their sights set on turning pro, Cam offers the following steps for success.

1. Master your craft

“I use manual for everything, and to do that you have to master your camera’s settings,” says Cam, who owns a Nikon Z9, a Zf, and now a Z6III, which he typically teams with the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2, plus an AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR with a Mount Adapter FTZ II.

“Understanding how to control shutter speed, aperture and ISO is crucial in wildlife photography. Fast-moving animals often require high shutter speeds to capture sharp images, while balancing aperture and ISO helps manage lighting conditions.”

While Cam prefers working with natural light, usually in the mornings, late afternoon or early evening, he believes knowing how to quickly adjust settings in different situations and environments can make or break a shot. “I like my images sharp, so I’ll usually have the shutter speed around 1/1000, ISO as low as possible, depending on lighting, and, if it’s just the animal I’m focusing on, my aperture is usually around f/3.5-4,” he says. 

Recently, the Nikon Z6III has been Cam’s preferred camera of choice. “It’s a fantastic camera for up-and-coming wildlife photographers who want to capture amazing images and videos,” he explains. “By getting the hang of these features and using them in your work, you can level up your skills, build a standout portfolio, and move forward in your wildlife photography career. I love it! Things like the top-notch autofocus, versatile video options, tough build and great balance of speed, image quality and usability help you hit professional standards.” The Nikon Z6III’s flip screen really suits Cam’s vertical style, while the light build and intuitive handling make for a comfortable experience. What about the improved autofocus and Vibration Reduction?  “It feels like a cheat code! The animal autofocus really is a game changer. Sharp focus on an animal’s eye is crucial for creating engaging, professional-quality images. Most importantly, it’s reliable!”

2. Right place, right time

Combining preparation, knowledge and patience means you’ll be in the right place at the right time more often, says Cam, dramatically increasing your chances of capturing that perfect wildlife moment. “Learn your subjects,” he says. “Everything about the animals’ behaviour, movements, habits and the environment in which they live in. Then patience and persistence are key. Be prepared for any moment for something to happen. Stay low, be flexible, ready to adapt and stay hidden. Also burst mode is a saviour. The Nikon Z6III’s burst shooting speed at around 14fps is very impressive, and the Pre-Release Capture mode is so good! It reduces the risk of missing those split-second opportunities, as the camera has already captured several frames leading up to the decisive moment. It’s a lifesaver! Wildlife photography is all about timing, and remember that not every outing will be successful, so don’t give up.”

3. Find a style, create a brand, build a business

Using post-processing software to enhance your images is a boon for curating your own style, which is essential for becoming a pro. “Use RAW for maximum flexibility when it comes to editing and learn how to use software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to correct exposure, enhance colours, and sharpen details while maintaining a natural look,” he advises. “Then find a style that works and perfect it! Your style should be whatever makes your photography uniquely yours. It’s how you tell your story, and that authenticity is what will connect with people and help you grow as both an artist and a professional.” Cam’s images need to evoke an emotion or a response before they’re chosen for editing: “This could be a powerful moment of interaction between animals or you, a dramatic chase or even a peaceful scene that captures the beauty of an animal in its natural habitat. If the picture conveys a narrative or feeling, it’s more likely to resonate.”

Once you’ve accumulated a series of professional-looking pics, build a portfolio, whether on social media or a website, to help cultivate a brand and build a following. Later, when it comes to earning that all-important income, networking is a great way to launch into the professional arena. “Attend workshops, conferences or nature-related events to meet other photographers, conservationists and potential mentors,” he says. “Building relationships in the field can open doors to opportunities, collaborations and learning experiences. You also just get to meet really cool and like-minded people. 

“There are many ways to monetise your work. Submit photos to wildlife photography competitions, license your images for magazines or websites, or start selling prints. You can also consider offering guided wildlife photography tours or workshops once you’ve gained enough experience. Diversifying your income streams can help sustain your career. Then there’s social media, where you can make money through video ad monetisation, brand deals and more. The biggest challenge for me when I was starting out was being in my own head – the fear of posting my work and people judging me. But social media really can change your life if you use it right. Trust me!”