Are you putting thought and emotion into your photos?

What is the best way to shoot a “Trophy” photo?  What is a “Trophy” nowadays?  It seems to me, that there are no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. But there are answers that can help us all in the long run.  Like it or not, in today’s society we have to be conscious of this and how we choose to express or promote ourselves as hunters.  There are 2 factors here that I think we all need to focus on.  One, the cameras and how we are using them and two, respect for the animal and the traditions of hunting.  Below are some examples of photos that we are not saying are wrong, only ones that can be improved on by putting in more effort and by thinking before we post/share them.

(The “over the top” Trophy Photo)

(The Classic Tailgate Trophy Photo)

 

I’d like to offer you a few simple tips that will help your images come across tasteful and of a higher quality than the typical Trophy photos.

First, think about the viewers and understand that it’s the anti’s that have the most to say and whom are the most likely to draw attention to a “BAD” photo.  They are also a far greater majority over us as hunters.  I am not suggesting that we cower or dance around these individuals.  I am simply saying have more pride in your photos and give them no good reason to choose you as an example.  Second, think more about the placement of both your subjects (animal and hunter) and the camera (cell phone, DSLR, etc). It is placement, far and above the quality of gear you are using that will make the most difference.

Questions to ask

How is the animal lying there?  Is there a ton of blood?  Is the tongue hanging out?  Would this photo come across disrespectful or disgusting to your Grandma?  How do you have the 2 subjects (hunter and animal) positioned?  Maybe you think about the hunt overall and why it was so special to you?  Was there a child involved, were you at deer camp with all of your hunting buddies, did you take this animal at your favorite spot (tree, fence line, ground blind, etc).  Think of these and many other reasons that the hunt may be special to you and try to incorporate this into your photo.

When you look at it this way, you may realize that although the animal is what brought you to take this photo, in the end, it may be a lot more than just that animal that will make you remember this moment forever.

(This was the first deer my daughter was apart of the tracking and recovery of. And yes, Teddy had to come 🙂

(A camp full of hunters crowded around to celebrate a successful day. Notice the lack of concentration on the “Trophy”)

Fun & Pride

Lastly, I will say this.  Sometimes putting too much thought or effort into something like this takes the fun out of it (especially if you are not into the filming or the technical gadgets that are available to us now).  I am not suggesting we all become “photographers“.  I am simply saying take more pride in what you’ve done and why you did it before sharing to social media, because let’s face it….the world is your viewer and hunters only make up a tiny slice of that pie.

See more about the education program we offer at Film The Hunt

Thanks for your time,

Tom Petry
“Success is not created by one person, but by a team that comes together as one”