Confessions of an Amateur Nature Photographer

I didn't choose the camera, the camera chose me. :)

For all of the images you see here, I used the Olympus C765 4MP Digital Camera with 10X Optical Zoom, and I paid almost $500 for it brand new. You can't even buy them anymore new. I was originally turned onto this camera in advertising class in college. We had to shoot a scene somewhere for an advertisement. We were supplied with digital camera for the shoot, and the Olympus C765 was it. It was love at first snap shot for me.

What to Look For

Back then (this was 2003), the 4MP was good enough but it's not any more if you want to sell your photography on stock photo websites like istockphotos. You will need at least 5MP.

I look for digital cameras that feel like an SLR, even if they aren't. I don't know; I just can't get in the mood to take good pictures with a tiny little thin thing in my hand. I like the substance of a weighted piece of equipment.

If you're into nature photography, you need a camera with amazing optical zoom. If you take a look at the picture above, it may look like I'm standing right behind the bird, but in reality I am more than 100 feet away from it.

While I love shooting nature primarily, I'm a city girl at heart and find myself whipping out my camera when the moment is right.

I also love to shoot people and things. People are much, much more difficult to shoot well than objects found in nature or cityscapes. Timing and lighting are never more important than they are when shooting portraits or even candid moments. I suppose that's why wedding photographers are paid so much?

Whether you're shooting inanimate objects like the cityscapes above, or nature and wildlife, you'll discover that the right subjects simply seem to call to you. They scream, "take a picture of me!" and when that happens, it's so much more satisfying than if you are forced to take a picture of something you would rather not.

I've photographed:

• Seattle's Public Market Center sign (a must if you visit Seattle)
• The Jefferson Memorial, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and National Monument in Washington, DC
• Many hotels in Las Vegas, but primarily Paris from the Bellagio (so I could get the fountains), and Caesar's Palace
• Many flowers, trees, and mountains
• Oceans and rivers
• One squirrel and one deer in their natural habitats

Okay so it may be awhile and take some training before you might be able to convince someone to buy your shots, but not necessarily!

Take a look at the Concord, New Hampshire shots below. Often times, people writing books on travel locations need to find exclusive, great photos of landmarks. While the above shot isn't for sale (I don't sell any images right now), if you find yourself drawn to things like that, there is money in it.

How to Sell Your Images

• Stock photo sites like istockphotos.com
• On your own website
• Shop them to local newspapers and magazines
• On photography sites