While its origin is murky, the adage "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time," is at the heart of this wide-ranging discussion about ethical practices in wildlife photography.
From exotic safaris to local birding expeditions, interest in this subject matter has grown tremendously in recent years. Ever advancing camera technologies and increasing ease of use make stunning pictures more accessible than ever, but when these advantages combine with an unbridled enthusiasm for getting the shot, it can often put wildlife at risk.
After defining conservation photography as an act that extends beyond image capture to effect a change in the world, we delve into questionable practices that can threaten animal safety and compromise natural behaviors. From avoiding obvious red flags of baiting an animal with food or using audio lures to trigger photogenic results, to more subtle actions of approaching too quickly, getting too close, or staying too long—our guests shed light on alternative methods for ethical behavior in the field.
As Melissa states, "You just have to become a part of the landscape and feel yourself within this community of other beings whose voices and whose messages are as filled with meaning as ours are, but we really have yet to tap into it."
Guests: Melissa Groo & Bobby Stormer
Episode Timeline:
3:56: Defining the term conservation photographer and making a distinction with the term wildlife photographer.
5:25: Melissa's career shift to focus on animal research and her early days photographing wildlife.
12:15: Bobby's expansion from fine art to photography, his shift to photographing animals, plus his passion for local wildlife & animal rescue.
16:49: Bobby's rescue of a fox and her kits, and his work with rehabbers to rehabilitate animals in need.
20:04: The ethics of photographing wildlife, best practices to consider, and mistakes photographers can make that cross ethical lines.
28:59: An increased awareness of wildlife ethics and the importance of sharing best practices in photographing animals to help educate one another.
36:04: Truth in image captioning and the question of sharing detailed location details, plus the distressing truth behind wildlife game farms.
44:42: Episode Break
46:24: The cameras, lenses, and related photo gear Melissa and Bobby pack, plus their camera set-ups.
56:09: Bobby and Melissa talk focusing, aperture, shutter speed, ISO and other considerations for settings.
102:45: Ethical considerations beyond baiting animals and staging wildlife photo-ops at a time when nature and animal photography has gained huge traction.
1:05:57: Concerns related to captive animal photography, plus distinctions between various facilities—from zoos to sanctuaries to animal havens to wildlife game farms.
1:11:08: Wildlife rescue, the path to becoming a licensed animal rehabber, plus discussing the upsurge in interest in wildlife photography during the pandemic.
1:25:45: Advice for anyone seeking to become a professional wildlife or conservation photographer.
Guest Bios:
Melissa Groo is a photographer, writer, and conservationist dedicated to telling stories of the natural world. As a leading voice and consultant on ethics in wildlife photography, it's her mission to inspire conservation of the animals she's privileged to witness, and the habitat crucial to their survival.
A Sony Artisan of Imagery since 2024, Melissa also serves as an Associate Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, an advisor to the National Audubon Society, and a contributing editor for Audubon magazine.
In 2023, Melissa received the "Jay N. Ding Darling Memorial Award for Wildlife Stewardship Through Art," from The Wildlife Society. In 2017, she received NANPA's Vision Award, in recognition of early career excellence, vision and inspiration to others in nature photography, conservation, and education.
Her award-winning fine art prints are widely exhibited and featured in both personal and corporate collections. Additionally, Melissa has served as a juror for numerous competitions—from the Audubon Photography Awards to Wildlife Photographer of the Year and beyond.
As an ambassador for Project Coyote, Melissa is equally invested in the importance of carnivores in our landscapes, continually advocating for co-existence with, and appreciation of, these animals.. She also serves on the Advisory Council for Wyoming Untrapped, the Board of Directors for The Little Egg Foundation, and as a volunteer photographer at the Cornell Wildlife Hospital, near her home in Ithaca, New York.
Bobby Stormer first picked up a camera in 2010, transitioning from traditional art to photography as a new creative outlet. Born and raised just outside New York City, his early work focused on urban exploration and automotive shoots, but everything changed six years ago when he took a deep dive into wildlife photography.
Shaped by both cityscapes and suburban ecosystems, Bobby developed a unique approach to capturing local wildlife, from foxes and owls to black bears, often within minutes of home. His mission is to show others the beauty hidden in their own backyards and foster a sense of coexistence with the wild. But what truly sets Bobby apart is his hands-on commitment to animal welfare. Apart from the image making, he's helped rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of animals. For Bobby, the photo is just a keepsake, his real reward is the moment itself, while letting empathy and respect guide his every frame.
Stay Connected:
National Audubon Guide to Ethical Bird Photography: https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/audubons-guide-ethical-bird-photography-and-videography
Melissa's Rolling Stone article on Game Farms: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/photography-game-farms-exploiting-wild-animals-1235002275/
B&H Explora article on the Ethics of Wildlife Photography:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/the-ethics-of-wildlife-photography
Credits:
- Host: Derek Fahsbender
- Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
- Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein
- Executive Producer: Richard Stevens
