Natural Photographer Blog

  • Pro Tips

    Tips on Packing Photo Gear for African Safaris

    Sep 1, 2026 · Court Whelan

    Bringing the camera gear you want and need for an African safari is a critical step in any photographer’s pre-trip phase. How to pack, what to choose, and how that…

  • Pro Tips

    What Kind of Photographer Are You? (And Does It Even Matter?)

    Mar 24, 2026 · Mike Hillman

    At some point, every photographer gets asked the question. “What do you shoot?” It sounds simple. Wildlife. Landscape. People. Travel. For some photographers, I’m sure that’s an easy answer. But…

  • Gear We Love

    What Is My Favorite Lens for Photographing in Madagascar?

    Mar 9, 2025 · Court Whelan

    When it comes to extraordinary photography—in the very literal sense of way beyond the ordinary—Madagascar is hard to beat. It’s got big landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and a travel and cultural…

  • Gear We Love

    What Is the Single Best Lens for the Galapagos Islands?

    Dec 10, 2023 · Court Whelan

    To say that the Galapagos Islands are spellbinding is an understatement. From the wild, unique animals to the moon-like landscape juxtaposed with one of the most vibrant marine ecosystems in…

  • Stories from the Field

    Landscapes of Iceland

    Aug 24, 2022 · Court Whelan

    Iceland is on another level when it comes to landscape photography. Simply put, there is no place like it in the world–that goes for both just its sheer uniqueness as well as…

  • Gear We Love

    Gear We Love – GorillaPod Travel Tripod

    Jun 30, 2021 · Court Whelan

    To explore exotic locales during the world’s most extraordinary nature journeys requires specialized gear. And to photograph them, well, the gear list continues. Today I bring you a great alternative…

  • What's in the Bag

    What’s in My Camera Bag? Costa Rica

    Jan 15, 2020 · Court Whelan

    Costa Rica is one of the world’s real biological treasure chests. Not only is it home to multiple species of “big cat” like jaguars, ocelots, margays and others, but it…

  • Pro Tips

    New Year, New Travel Photo Tips for 2020

    Jan 3, 2020 · Court Whelan

    If you’re like many, 2020 will bring you some exciting nature travel plans, whether it’s getting out to your local city or state park more often, or perhaps you have…

  • Pro Tips

    My Technique for Photographing Sunsets Worldwide

    Nov 25, 2018 · Court Whelan

    If there’s one thing that’s pretty much guaranteed in mother nature, it’s the fact that the sun will rise and set each day (except, of course, for polar trips around…