A photograph can tell a story. Whether it’s the hunt of a lifetime, a breathtaking view, or friendships grown in the field, photographs can capture all of these memories. These moments pass by quickly and capturing them requires a little bit of planning, adequate equipment, and a basic knowledge of photography. The following tips will help you take a great trophy shot – the kind you’ll be bragging about for years to come.

Getting Started

First things first, get a good camera. When photographing the hunt of a lifetime, a five-dollar disposable camera just isn’t going to cut it. But that doesn’t mean you have to drop thousands of dollars on an over-the-top, bells and whistles camera. Whether you prefer film or digital, there are many cameras available in the $150–300 ballpark that will work great. For added convenience, look for one with auto focus, built-in flash and zoom features.

If you’re looking to buy a digital camera, here are a few things to consider:
Buy a camera with no less than 5-megapixel resolution. This will give you clear, sharp images and will allow you to blow-up your photos without losing picture quality.

Look for a digital camera that has a traditional optical viewfinder as well as the LCD video display. The video display will quickly deplete your batteries, so having the option to turn that display off and frame your photos the old fashioned way can save you precious battery life.

Invest in a larger memory card. Most digital cameras can only save minimal high-quality images, often less than 20, before the memory is full. Memory cards between 128 mb and 256 mb are relatively inexpensive and can easily take over 100 photos without worry.

Consider rechargeable batteries. All digital media use batteries quickly so investing in rechargeable batteries could save you significant money in the long run. No matter what, always carry several sets of extra batteries with you while you hunt just to be safe.

Now that you have the right equipment, it’s time to start shooting. Following these simple steps will greatly improve your photos and leave you with some excellent trophy shots.

Photography Tips

Pose the animal tastefully. Pick a spot that represents the area well and keeps the natural light behind the photographers shoulder. Remove any blood from the animal and immediate vegetation. Make sure the tongue is not visible and avoid showing the animals feet by bending them under the brisket.

Pose yourself tastefully. Never sit on top of the animal, and whenever possible position yourself toward the rear of the animal. Never have alcohol in the photo, and don’t do anything that disrespects the animal or diminishes the hunting experience. Try to find a tasteful way to include the firearm used to take the animal – it’s an important part of your hunting memory and a big part of the story!

Shoot the photo from a low position. Shooting upward while taking a photo from one’s knees or stomach gives a better representation of the animal’s size than shooting down, which will make the animal look much smaller than it is. This also allows any horns or antlers to be against the sky, creating a background that highlights the best features of the animal. Avoid placing your hands in the foreground as they will look oversized and distract attention from the animal.

Be aware of shadows and coloring. Always use a flash, even in bright sunlight, as it will brighten any faces that are hidden under hats. Pay attention that the photographer’s shadow does not appear in the photograph. Also, an animal will disappear in a background of camouflage, so again, make sure that the head is against the sky or some kind of colorful, contrasting background.

Take plenty of photos! Try different settings on your camera to ensure you get the best shot. Also, include different people in the photos; take some with your firearm and some without; even try posing the animal differently as long as time permits. Remember to act quickly if you are hunting in cold conditions, as you don’t want the animal to freeze before you skin it.

Taking lots of photos is the key to getting a few great shots. Don’t forget to take some throughout the day of family, friends and the area. Even if you’re shooting film, photography is still going to be one of the cheapest parts of your hunting adventure, so don’t hold back!

Remember to plan ahead and invest in some good equipment so you can get the best hunting pictures possible. Great trophy shots may require a little extra effort, but it’s worth it in the end.