Nature Photographer vs Wildlife Photographer: What’s the Difference?
An African elephant is photographed in it's natural surroundings
If you’ve spent any time exploring photography, you’ll likely have come across the terms nature photographer and wildlife photographer. They are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between the two.
Understanding that distinction can be useful, particularly if you’re interested in photography yourself or considering a wildlife photography safari.
What Is a Nature Photographer?
A nature photographer is someone who photographs the natural world in its broadest sense.
This can include:
landscapes
plants and trees
weather and natural light
macro subjects such as insects or textures
and, of course, wildlife.
In that sense, wildlife photography sits within the wider discipline of nature photography.
A nature photographer might spend one day capturing a mountain landscape at sunrise, and the next focusing on small details such as leaves, patterns or textures in the environment.
The emphasis is often on the overall environment, rather than a single subject.
What Is a Wildlife Photographer?
A wildlife photographer, by contrast, focuses specifically on animals.
This might include:
mammals such as lions, elephants or tigers
birds
reptiles
marine life
The aim is usually to capture:
behaviour
expression
interaction
or a defining moment.
Wildlife photography tends to require a more focused approach, often involving long periods of observation and patience while waiting for animals to behave naturally.
A wildlife photograph captures an animal's behaviour or expression
Nature Photography vs Wildlife Photography: The Key Difference
The simplest way to think about it is this…Nature photography is broad. Wildlife photography is specific.
A nature photographer may photograph wildlife, but a wildlife photographer is primarily concerned with animals.
In practice, there is a great deal of overlap. Many wildlife photographers, myself included, would also be considered nature photographers, simply because our work takes place entirely within natural environments.
A Matter of Focus and Intent
The difference between nature photography and wildlife photography is not just about subject matter, though, but also about intent.
A nature photographer might aim to capture the atmosphere of a scene – details such as the relationship between light, landscape and environment.
A wildlife photographer is more likely to focus on the individual animal — its presence, behaviour and character.
Neither approach is better than the other. They simply offer different ways of interpreting the natural world.
A gorilla photographed in it's natural environment in Uganda
Nature Photographer vs Wildlife Photographer: Where Do I Sit?
My own work has always focused primarily on wildlife, so I consider myself a wildlife photographer, although the term nature photographer would also apply. Over the years, I have been recognised in both ‘wildlife’ and ‘nature’ photography awards.
Related: Nature & Wildlife Photography Award Wins
Over time, it becomes clear that photographing animals cannot be separated from their environment. Light, landscape and atmosphere all play a role in shaping the final image.
In that sense, to me, the distinction between a wildlife photographer and a nature photographer becomes less important. What matters more is observation, patience, and respect for the subject.
What’s Your Interest: Nature Photography or Wildlife Photography?
For those new to photography, understanding the difference can help clarify what interests you most.
If you are drawn to animals and behaviour, wildlife photography would be the obvious focus. If you are more drawn to landscapes and the environment, then choose nature photography.
‘Hippodrama’ was awarded Highly Commended in the Nature Photography Awards 2018
Wildlife and Nature Photography on Safari
For those travelling on safari, the two often come together. A wildlife encounter is rarely just about the animal itself. The setting, the light, and the wider environment all contribute to the experience.
In places such as Kenya, India and Uganda, it’s impossible to separate wildlife from the wider natural world.
A lion on the plains of the Maasai Mara, a tiger moving through forest in India, or a gorilla in the dense vegetation of Uganda…each of these moments is shaped as much by the environment as the animal itself.
This is why, on my wildlife photography safaris, I encourage people to look beyond the obvious. Sometimes the most memorable images are not the most dramatic, but the most considered.
Wildlife vs Nature Photography
Whether you describe yourself as a nature photographer or a wildlife photographer, the fundamentals remain the same.
Patience, observation and an understanding of the natural world will always matter more than equipment or technique.
The labels are useful, but they are not the most important thing. What matters is the time you spend in the field and what you learn from it.
Explore Wildlife Photography and Safaris
If you’re interested in developing your wildlife or nature photography, you can explore more articles on the website, including:
images and fine art wildlife prints of specific animals such as lions, elephants and tigers
I also host a small number of wildlife photography safaris each year in Africa and India for those who would like to experience these environments first-hand. Please explore the website to find out more.
David
