What should a wildlife photography checklist include?

Start with: Fast shutter speed and continuous autofocus set in advance; Long lens plus teleconverter if the situation calls for it; Target species' likely timing and habitat researched beforehand; A plan for a respectful distance that doesn't disturb the animal. The printable list on this page adds the gear and prep items from the Wildlife checklist.

Can I print this wildlife photography checklist?

Yes. The Print checklist button prints the list on its own, black on white, with a tick box beside each line. To tick it on screen instead, open the interactive Wildlife checklist, which keeps your ticks in your browser with no account.

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Wildlife Photography Checklist (Printable): What to Prepare Before You Go

Wildlife photography depends on being in position and ready before an animal appears, since there's rarely a warning or a second attempt.

Printable checklist

Prints on its own, black on white, with a tick box for every line.

Plan for

Fast shutter speed and continuous autofocus set in advance
Long lens plus teleconverter if the situation calls for it
Target species' likely timing and habitat researched beforehand
A plan for a respectful distance that doesn't disturb the animal

Gear & prep (from the Wildlife checklist)

Telephoto lens (300mm+) and teleconverter packed if available
Camera set to continuous/burst autofocus mode
Fast shutter speed floor set for the expected subject motion
Camouflage or neutral clothing, scent and noise discipline considered
Beanbag, monopod or tripod suited to the terrain
Extra batteries — cold weather and long waits drain them fast
Local wildlife activity patterns and times researched in advance
Respectful distance and local wildlife guidelines confirmed
Rain cover or weather sealing checked for the gear
Patience budgeted — arrive early, expect to wait

Prefer to tick it on screen? Get the full Wildlife checklist

Every item, tickable — saved privately in your browser, no account needed.

The single biggest preparation failure in wildlife photography is arriving underpowered — the wrong focal length, a slow autofocus setting, or a shutter speed that can't freeze motion when a moment actually happens. All of that needs to be decided before you're in the field, because there's no time to work it out once an animal is in frame.

Timing matters as much as gear: most wildlife activity clusters around dawn and dusk, and knowing the target species' likely behavior and habitat lets you position yourself instead of wandering and hoping. Patience is part of the plan too — the best wildlife sessions often involve long stretches of waiting, which only pays off if you were set up correctly beforehand.

Field ethics belong on this list, not as an afterthought: keeping a respectful distance and not disturbing habitat or behavior for a shot is both the right approach and, practically, what gets you natural, undisturbed behavior worth photographing in the first place.

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FAQ

What should a wildlife photography checklist include?: Start with: Fast shutter speed and continuous autofocus set in advance; Long lens plus teleconverter if the situation calls for it; Target species' likely timing and habitat researched beforehand; A plan for a respectful distance that doesn't disturb the animal. The printable list on this page adds the gear and prep items from the Wildlife checklist.
Can I print this wildlife photography checklist?: Yes. The Print checklist button prints the list on its own, black on white, with a tick box beside each line. To tick it on screen instead, open the interactive Wildlife checklist, which keeps your ticks in your browser with no account.

Want the full lesson?

This topic is covered in depth in Lesson 5: Advanced Focus & Motion Techniques.

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