Tips for Taking the Best Photos of You and Your Harvest
Just like that, the big game season is over. I can hardly believe we are now in 2022 and making plans for the coming fall seasons. This year, I have seen a lot of pictures of great hunts and the harvests from each. Many times I will read on social media how great the hunt was. However, I have noticed that some of the photographs are not the most flattering for all eyes that may see these pictures.
I, for one, completely understand the thrill of the moment, and those should be captured in photos for reflection and with great stories to be told for years and years. I believe you should share your pictures and stories of success with family and friends and on social media. But once your pictures and stories get out on social media, you are now to open to scrutiny from non-hunters. We have to understand that only an estimated 11.5 million people in the United States actually hunt. That, my friends, is less than 4% of the national population. So consider some of these tips to help you successfully share your pictures with a positive message and appealing look.
Photo Credit: Author Tony Dymek
First, before the first picture is captured, sign and punch your state issued license. The trill of the moment may cause you to forget this. You do not want to get a ticket from a game warden for something this simple.
Next, don’t forget to field dress after pictures are taken. Blood does not look good and is distracting from you and your animal. That being said, make sure you do still take proper care of field dressing in a timely manner. Nothing to waste!
Don’t forget to show some details. Show the habitat you hunted, the clothing you wore and even your firearm or bow. All of this will help tell the story.
Make sure you clean your animal, yourself and the clutter! I like to carry Nitrile gloves, wipes and a sealable baggy for clean-up of me and my animal. This will help clean up any blood and debris from the animal and you. Make sure you position yourself and your animal in a way that does not show a large exit wound.
Next… no tongue. Nothing is more unappealing then your animal’s tongue hanging out. Even if you push it back in, many times it will come sliding right back out. I like to carry fish line with me. Gently loop around the upper and lower jaw. This will be not be noticed in the picture and will help solve the problem of the tongue sliding out.
Make sure you and your animal are in position, and that does not mean sitting on your animal. Show your respect with a gentle hand and a smile. This shows you are truly grateful for your harvest. Every single time, I say thank you to my animal for the meals they will provide. It does not matter if it is a deer, an elk or a pheasant; I thank them always. Also, consider the position of your animal. Adjusting the animal in a bedded position with legs tucked under makes a huge difference. This will help in the visual aspect, and can give the animal a larger appearance.
A few more quick tips for great pictures:
Hold the antlers near the base. You do not want to cover any of the rack.
Position yourself with the sun towards you. This will eliminate shadows on you and your animal.
Tip your hat so your smiling face can be seen. If you wear glasses, tip the lenses slightly downward to avoid glare.
Shoot lots of pictures in both horizontal and vertical. This will help you get the perfect picture to share.
Be creative in your picture taking. Close-ups of the hunter and game in a vertical shot., full body with the hunter, game, and method of take on a horizontal shot, etc.
Some things to avoid:
Please, no pictures in the bed of your truck. This is messy with blood and trash. It is not a natural setting.
And pass on the garage pictures, as well. You get the idea.
Antlers should never be used as a gun rack. This is nothing more than disrespectful to your animal.
By following these tips, you will certainly be able to tell your story in a positive light through the art of a photograph. Remember, you the hunter, are the true conservationist and you should be proud of your accomplishments.
-Tony Dymek, Fall Obsession Field Staff