• The Contents listed above are live links. Click to jump to the desired page.
• Click “CONTENTS” in the lower right corner to return to this Contents page.
• Other links throughout the e-book are shown in blue, underlined text.
From elusive wildlife to dramatic natural backdrops, Nat Hab’s Photo Expeditions immerse you in the world’s most captivating wild places. Whether you’re a passionate amateur or a seasoned pro, our photofocused journeys are crafted to help you capture powerful, evocative images while experiencing the planet’s most inspiring nature adventures.
Led by Expedition Leaders who are both professional photographers and trained naturalists, each trip offers a rare blend of technical instruction and thrilling wildlife encounters. These pros know how to read animal behavior, interpret light and landscape, and position you for the perfect shot—all with patient, personalized coaching.
Every detail of our Photo Expeditions is built around maximizing your time in the field. We rise early, stay out late and travel in small groups for flexibility and comfort. You’ll have fewer guests per vehicle—everyone gets a window seat!—increased weight allowances for camera gear on certain flights and access to exclusive private reserves and hidden corners of national parks that few others see.
As WWF’s travel partner, we also believe great photography can drive meaningful conservation. The images you create and share can raise awareness, inspire action and support global conservation efforts.
Join us for a Photo Expedition that highlights Earth’s wild beauty— and champions its preservation. Call 800-543-8917 or visit nathab.com/photo to learn more.
When it comes to nature photography, experience matters. Nat Hab Photo Expeditions offer unmatched access, expert instruction and a deep commitment to conservation. With small groups, exclusive locations and premier Photo Expedition Leaders, we ensure every trip maximizes your creative potential—and helps protect the wild places you capture.
With extensive opportunities to capture wildlife and landscapes, our Photo Expeditions get you farther afield to the best locations for photographing diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes. We prioritize ideal lighting and staying longer or adapting as needed to help you get the perfect shot. Many Photo Expeditions also include exclusive activities such as scenic helicopter flights or hot air balloon rides for aerial photography, and night walks to photograph nocturnal animals and delve into astrophotography.
Nat Hab’s Photo Expedition Leaders are more than expert photographers—they’re professional naturalist guides with deep field experience. Their combination of technical skill, wildlife knowledge and teaching ability ensures you get the shot, understand the story behind it and elevate your photography. With hands-on guidance in the field as well as tailored presentations, you’ll refine your techniques while capturing stunning images and immersing yourself in awe-inspiring wilderness. Our Photo Expedition Leaders have deep knowledge and personal connection to the wildlife and landscapes where they guide, ensuring intimate encounters that contribute to extraordinary visual storytelling.
Our Photo Expeditions are often longer in duration than our standard itineraries. This extra time allows for flexible shooting schedules; early morning and late evening excursions when many animals are most active; opportunities to shoot in dawn, dusk and golden-hour lighting; and more time to document a wider range of species and behaviors.
Fewer travelers means more personalized guidance from our expert Photo Expedition Leaders and improved positioning in the field to help you get the perfect shot. Our small group sizes also ensure guests have ample space aboard our vehicles for unobstructed views—plus room for all your camera gear.
Since these trips prioritize photography, they often allow more time at each location to focus on composition and capturing the perfect shot. Our experience and relationships in the destinations we visit help us maximize photographic opportunities, including special permits for exclusive access, stays on private conservancies and more.
Many of our Photo Expeditions include an additional luggage allowance, ensuring you can bring the full range of gear—lenses, tripods and other essentials—needed to capture landscapes, wildlife and culture without limitation.
Since 2003, we have been the travel partner of World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization. And as the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company, Nat Hab offsets 100% of the emissions from your trip. This includes your roundtrip flights, making your adventure as eco-conscious as it is extraordinary.
From the Arctic tundra to the African savanna, Nat Hab takes nature photographers to the world’s most spectacular and remote wild places. Our Photo Expeditions are designed for optimal wildlife and landscape photography, offering exclusive access to some of the planet’s most photogenic nature destinations.
Photograph the “Big Five”—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo—and other African wildlife on intimate, expertly guided adventures in the Okavango Delta and beyond. Our Botswana Photo Expeditions focus on uncrowded private reserves where wildlife is prolific.
Explore Nat Hab’s Botswana Photo Expeditions
“The diversity of wildlife and the close range at which we were able to photograph them was phenomenal. I loved that our camps were right near watering holes and in the midst of wildlife. Our safari vehicles were completely open, which was helpful for photography.”
-Nat Hab Traveler Stacy P., Secluded Botswana Photo Expedition
Capture amazing wildlife close-ups of bluefooted boobies, marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles and other endemic species in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Plus, overnight among wild giant tortoises at our private Tortoise Camp!
Explore Nat Hab’s Galapagos
Photo Expeditions
Witness the world’s largest concentration of polar bears on our exhilarating small-group Photo Expeditions in Churchill, Manitoba. Our custom Polar Rovers take you onto the tundra, where we also encounter wildlife like caribou, Arctic foxes and hares, snowy owls and willow ptarmigan.
“Our Expedition Leader worked hard to make sure we got the photos we wanted and was incredibly helpful with our cameras. His knowledge of photography was amazing!”
Our aurora adventure in Churchill is designed to help you get outstanding images of this wondrous natural event. By night, photograph the northern lights in warmth and comfort from various inspiring locations. By day, enjoy authentic northern activities like dog sledding and snowshoeing.
Explore Nat Hab’s Northern Lights
Photo Expeditions
“This trip was exceptional! Our timing to see the northern lights was perfect: 5 nights out of 5 nights. I highly recommend the Photo Expedition for the expertise provided to each of us. The added daytime activities were fun and informative and added another layer of flavor to our Churchill experience.”
-Nat Hab Traveler Kathy M., Northern Lights Photo Expedition
Explore the Last Frontier on our Alaska Photo Expeditions! Get aerial shots of the vast Denali wilderness from a helicopter; capture brown bear portraits at close range at our private fly-in Bear Camp or renowned Brooks Falls; and shoot glaciers, whales, puffins and more in Kenai Fjords.
Explore Nat Hab’s Alaska Photo Expeditions
Circle the Land of Fire and Ice in pursuit of stunning landscape shots and native wildlife. Photograph glittering black sand beaches, raging waterfalls, iceberg lagoons and mossy lava fields, along with Atlantic puffins, Northern gannets, humpback and minke whales, Arctic foxes and Icelandic horses.
Led by top photographers and naturalist guides, seek shots of bison, elk, moose, bears, wolves and more, plus legendary landscapes filled with bubbling mud pots and steaming geysers, on peerless Photo Expeditions in America’s first national park during both warm and cold seasons.
Explore Nat Hab’s U.S. National Parks Photo Expeditions
Whether you’re tracking tigers in Tadoba National Park or snow leopards in the Himalayas, India offers some of the most exciting opportunities to photograph big cats and other wildlife like Asian elephants, rhinos and sloth bears, as well as India’s vibrant culture.
Explore Nat Hab’s India Photo Expeditions
Conservation photography goes beyond simply creating beautiful images or thrilling videos. It’s purposeful storytelling that educates, advocates and moves people to action. Through evocative visuals—from threatened species to fragile habitats— photographers can bridge the gap between distant ecosystems and public awareness, reshaping perceptions and priorities. When shared effectively, conservation photography can influence policy, support conservation tourism and even serve as visual evidence in the fight against environmental threats.
At Nat Hab, we’ve embedded this ethos into our Photo Expeditions. As World Wildlife Fund’s travel partner, we empower photographers not only to capture awe-inspiring images of wildlife and landscapes, but also to use their work as
instruments of conservation. We also make available to WWF photos taken by our Nat Hab staff members and Photo Expedition Leaders for use in conservation and fundraising campaigns!
Through slower-paced itineraries, expert naturalist-photographer Expedition Leaders and unique access to remote locales, our Photo Expedition guests gain the tools to create images that resonate—and advocate.
Whether you’re a burgeoning shutterbug or a professional photographer honing your craft, conservation photography is one of the most powerful ways to contribute to protecting our planet. Through vision, persistence and a compassionate lens, photographers become catalysts for change—ensuring wild places remain wild.
Learn how to get started with conservation photography from Photo Expedition Leader and Nat Hab’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Court Whelan!
From iconic wildlife to remote landscapes, every Photo Expedition is a lesson in patience, presence and photographic storytelling. Travelers receive expert on-trip photo instruction from our Photo Expedition Leaders, but these tips from our Photography Expeditions Director will give you a head start!
Sharply focused eyes create an instant connection between your wildlife subject and the viewer. Even if other parts of the animal are out of focus, a crisply focused eye makes the photo feel alive and engaging
A shallow depth of field (low f-stop) blurs busy backgrounds so your animal subject pops against its surroundings. A high depth of field (higher f-stop) keeps more of the scene sharp—ideal when you want multiple subjects or a dramatic landscape background all in focus.
Wildlife moves quickly, so shoot with a fast shutter (at least 1/1000 sec) to freeze motion and capture sharp action shots. Generally, the faster the shutter speed, the less chance of motion blur. Erring on the high side keeps moving animals in focus—so long as you have enough light for good exposure.
When framing a shot, avoid trapping your subject. Leave open space in the direction the animal faces or is moving toward. Space ahead of the gaze creates balance and intrigue, while empty space behind makes the image feel awkward and off-kilter.
Don’t pack the camera away when the weather turns! Rain, mist or overcast skies can add mood and atmosphere to your wildlife and landscape shots and tell the full story of your trip. Stay prepared with rain gear for you and your camera and keep a positive attitude— some of your best photos might occur during a drizzle when others give up.
A telephoto zoom (70–300mm or 100–400mm) lets you capture wildlife up close one moment and a wide scenic view the next, ensuring you’re prepared for any scene. Zooming out for context—capturing a rainbow above animals or mountains behind a whale, for example—often leads to richer storytelling images.
800-543-8917
Placing a person in a grand landscape provides a sense of scale and context that a nature-only shot might lack. Viewers can imagine themselves in the scene; the human element invites them into the photo, making the image more relatable and immersive.
No photo is worth disturbing an animal. Keep your distance and use a long lens instead of approaching or altering the animal’s natural behavior. Avoid unethical tricks like baiting and be transparent about how you got the shot (e.g. note if it was captive) to promote responsible photography.
Spend time observing your subject’s behavior. Understanding when and how wildlife moves helps you anticipate the perfect moment to press the shutter. Patience pays off—wait for the head turn, wing flap or leap. Capturing these decisive moments of natural action brings far more vitality to a photo than a static pose.
Look beyond the subject and include context or characters—like the environment or fellow travelers—to convey the larger story of your Photo Expedition. Sometimes a technically “imperfect” image that reveals the scene— vegetation framing a hidden animal or the effort of finding wildlife—can be more evocative than a standard close-up.
Tune in to our free Daily Dose of Nature webinars for expert photography tips, destination inspiration and creative insights. Check the schedule for upcoming photo webinars, or watch videos of past webinars
Every adventure offers the chance to tell a story through your lens—one filled with emotion and a sense of place. Capturing a well-rounded collection of images takes intention, practice and an eye for different perspectives. Explore these techniques to elevate your visual storytelling. For more in-depth advice on photography techniques from camera settings to composition, check out Fundamentals of Nature Photography.
Wildlife photography is a unique blend of various photographic styles—portraiture, landscape, creative expression and even photojournalism. The best wildlife photographers learn to adapt these techniques to tell compelling stories through their images.
The next few pages explore three foundational approaches to wildlife photography to consider: wildlife portraiture, environmental wildlife photography and creative wildlife photography.
These images isolate the animal and focus attention entirely on the subject. Backgrounds are typically blurred, allowing for a clean, detailed and often intimate “field guide”-style photo that highlights the animal’s features.
In this style, the animal is photographed within the broader landscape. It’s more challenging to compose, as it requires balancing light, composition and context. But when done well, it tells a powerful story about the relationship between the animal and its habitat—adding scale, mood and a deeper sense of place.
This approach goes beyond the expected. It may involve close-ups of textures (like feathers or scales), unusual angles, dramatic lighting or abstract elements. Creativity often emerges once you’ve captured the classic shots and have the freedom to experiment with perspective and style.
Landscape photography may seem straightforward, but capturing a truly exceptional image takes practice, planning and a thoughtful eye. Because these scenes are accessible to anyone with a camera, it’s important to slow down and seek out details that elevate your photo from good to great.
Start by truly observing your surroundings. Look beyond the obvious—crystal-clear beaches, sweeping savannas, vibrant sunsets—and search for unique elements that add depth or intrigue, like driftwood, colorful foliage or reflections. Including a
compelling foreground object—such as a rock, a tree, an animal or even a person— adds dimension and provides scale, helping your viewer connect with the scene.
Framing is another powerful tool. Natural frames like tree trunks, rock formations or even shadows can direct the viewer’s eye into the photo and create visual interest. Incorporating “leading lines” or elements that guide the eye toward a focal point helps turn a beautiful view into a strong composition.
Don’t underestimate the power of the human element. Including a person in the frame can add both scale and emotional connection, allowing the viewer to imagine themselves within the scene.
Finally, use the traditional rules of composition as guidelines, like the rule of thirds, but also feel free to break them when creative opportunities arise. Great landscape photography balances beauty, story and structure—and with intentionality, your images can do the same.
• Look for natural framing and leading lines
• Include foreground elements for context and scale
• Consider adding a human presence for relatability
• Use composition rules as guides, not limits
• Be patient, observant and creative
Night photography can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—styles to explore. With the right technique, even dimly lit scenes come alive, revealing the mood, mystery and magic of low light.
Whether you’re photographing the aurora borealis, nocturnal animals or moonlit forests, capturing effective night images begins with light. Seek balanced light sources—moonlight, candles or small lamps—that prevent one area from being too bright while the rest remains dark.
A tripod is essential for crisp results. Since you’ll be working with slow shutter speeds (typically 2 to 15 seconds), keeping your camera stable prevents blur. To let in more light, use a slower shutter, a moderate f-stop and a lower ISO if possible—ideally ISO 400 or less to reduce grain. If motion in the scene is creating unwanted blur, raise your ISO slightly and shorten the shutter speed to compensate.
Composing your image in near darkness is tricky. Try framing the shot wider than usual so you can crop or straighten it later. Keep an eye out for motion—trees swaying or people walking—which can either add artistic blur or distract from a sharp composition, depending on your intent.
The magic of night photography lies in the balance of light and atmosphere. With patience and attention, you’ll capture scenes most people never even notice.
• Use a tripod to stabilize long exposures
• Seek soft, balanced light sources
• Start with low ISO, adjusting only if necessary
• Compose wider than usual to allow cropping
• Be mindful of movement—it can help or hinder your shot
Macro photography reveals the extraordinary in the small. From intricate insect wings to the texture of a flower petal, this style turns overlooked details into stunning visual stories. Whether you’re using a point-and-shoot camera or a DSLR or mirrorless system, macro photography is an accessible, fun and rewarding way to expand your visual storytelling.
You don’t need expensive gear to get started. Many cameras have a built-in macro mode (often symbolized by a flower icon) that allows you to focus up close. For DSLR and mirrorless users, using a lens’s minimum focusing distance and manual focus can yield incredible results. Instead of turning the focus ring, try moving yourself slowly toward or away from the subject to find that perfect focal point.
Controlling depth of field is key. With macro, even small shifts can push a subject in or out of focus. Use a high aperture (f/11 or higher) to maximize sharpness, especially when capturing texture or layered details. When light is low, add a flash or slow your shutter speed—just be sure to keep the camera stable to avoid blur.
Macro photography often shines when showcasing elements most people would miss. Whether you’re photographing wildlife, wildflowers or even the patterns on a leaf, it encourages deeper observation and creative experimentation.
• Use macro mode or the closest focusing distance on your lens
• Move your body instead of the lens for fine focus
• Increase aperture for more depth of field
• Add flash or steady your camera in low light
• Look for color, texture and pattern in small subjects
Travel photography is more than just documenting places—it’s about telling the story of your journey. While it can include wildlife, landscape or portrait photography, what makes travel photography unique is its focus on narrative. It captures the in-between moments that define the full experience.
Of course, you’ll want to photograph iconic views and wildlife encounters. But it’s often the less obvious details—street scenes, local meals, quirky transportation, fellow travelers— that provide the most compelling memories. These shots give context to your adventure and help bring the story to life.
Look for candid moments. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to pause for a quick photo or to capture a street vendor mid-sale. Get creative with your angles, play with exposure or tilt your frame for a more dynamic look. Use composition and light intentionally, just as you would with a wildlife or landscape shot.
Including people in your images—travel companions, locals or even yourself—can add emotion and relatability. A traveler resting at a lookout or a guide building an igloo often says more about the experience than a postcardperfect shot.
Ultimately, the goal of travel photography is to preserve the essence of the journey. By thinking beyond the highlights and documenting the full spectrum of your experience, your photos become a richer, more authentic reflection of your adventure.
• Capture moments, not just landmarks
• Include people to create connection and scale
• Use composition techniques to enhance storytelling
• Think creatively with light, angles and framing
• Document the “in-between” details—they tell the full story
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is a technique that helps balance light and detail in scenes with strong contrast—like bright skies paired with dark shadows. The goal is to create an image that more closely mirrors what the human eye perceives in dynamic lighting.
HDR works by capturing multiple images of the same scene at different exposures—one underexposed, one overexposed and one neutral—then blending them together. This process, called bracketing, helps highlight details across all light levels. Some cameras merge the images automatically, but many require post-processing software like Lightroom, Photoshop or HDR Efex Pro.
Used thoughtfully, HDR can elevate scenes like sunsets, shaded forest trails or softly lit architectural details. It’s important to avoid overprocessing, which can create an overly artificial look. With practice, you’ll learn to spot when HDR is the right tool to bring balance and depth to your photos!
• USE EXPOSURE BRACKETING:
Set your camera to capture three images at -1, 0 and +1 exposures.
• STABILIZE YOUR CAMERA:
Use a tripod to keep all frames aligned and avoid ghosting.
• CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCENE: Soft, even lighting works best. Avoid harsh midday shadows.
• GO WIDE:
Capture a broad view so you can crop later if needed.
• EDIT WITH CARE:
Use editing software to blend your exposures and adjust settings with a light touch.
• PRACTICE:
With time, you’ll learn which scenes lend themselves to HDR and how to get the most natural-looking results.
Where does Nat Hab run Photo Expeditions?
We offer Photo Expeditions around the world, from U.S. national parks to Africa and beyond. You can browse the full list of our Photo Expedition offerings at nathab.com/photo.
Who are Nat Hab’s Photo Expedition Leaders?
Nat Hab’s Photo Expedition Leaders are expert photographers and professional naturalist guides with deep field experience. Many are local to the destinations where they guide. Their extensive knowledge of animal behavior and habitats—combined with our unique access—situates you in ideal locations and situations to get unparalleled wildlife shots. Meet our Photo Expedition Leaders at nathab.com/photo.
What gear should I pack for a Photo Expedition?
Since every Photo Expedition is different, tailor your gear selections to the location and the shots you’re hoping to get. The “What’s in My Camera Bag” posts on our Natural Photographer blog are a great place to start!
Can I go on a Photo Expedition even if I am not a great photographer?
Absolutely! These trips are designed for every level, and they’re the best way to learn from your professional photographer Expedition Leader. What sets Nat Hab apart is our frequent use of in-region photo experts who return to these destinations multiple times each year—rather than just once, like many other companies. You’ll also have the backing of an expansive support team providing dedicated assistance before, during and after your journey. Few companies can match that level of expertise and service.
Where can I go online to learn more about nature photography?
If you’re interested in tips, travel stories and more, check out our Natural Photographer Blog
“What an opportunity to be in such close proximity to these primates! Each of the four mountain gorilla treks showed us more social behaviors, and the golden monkeys on the last day were also amazing. I commend our Expedition Leader for his knowledge of all kinds of cameras, his techniques for capturing the best images and his tireless attention to the needs and desires of each photographer. I improved so much as a photographer thanks to him!”
A Nat Hab Photo Expedition offers more than the chance to capture great images. It invites you to slow down, be present and experience nature in a more meaningful way. The rewards reach beyond the frame, leaving you not only with stunning photos but also with a renewed sense of joy, wonder and appreciation for the natural world and its protection.
When you witness lions moving through golden grass, feel the stillness of Arctic ice or share a moment of connection with a mountain gorilla, the wild becomes part of you—treasured in memory and beautifully preserved in your images.
Call our office at 800-543-8917 to learn more about our Photo Expeditions.
