Q&A with WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER RYAN SHEETS

Today, I am so excited to bring you a little Q&A with wildlife photographer Ryan Sheets. Ryan left his office job to pursue his passion, and I think the results speak for themselves! He's now a professional videographer and owner of Sheets Studios (you have to check out his pic of this baby big horn sheep.) He's been kind enough today to share some photography tips and tell us how he started living his dream.

The Travelogue: You have some amazing photographs up on your blog and website. How did a guy from the suburbs of Chicago get interested in wildlife photography?

Ryan: Thanks so much!  I think the suburbs of Chicago actually pushed me in this direction – ever since I was little I begged my dad every year to head out west skiing. (My first mountain skiing was actually at Snowbird! [a Utah favorite])  To say I am obsessed with the mountains might be an understatement.  The fact that being in the suburbs of Chicago so far away from what I consider nature pushed me to always head west…and made me appreciate wildlife more than I might have if I grew up with it all around.

TT: It’s so amazing that you’ve been able to turn your hobby into a business. I can only imagine the amount of work that’s gone into setting up your photography company. Tell us a little about the process. What made you decide to take the leap? Are you still working at another job, or is this your full time career?

Ryan: Yes, this hobby turned business has been interesting!  It takes so much work and will continue to take so much work…I am not where I need to be yet but an hopeful that a few more years will get me where I need to be.  After watching my wife graduate as a certified nurse midwife I saw her passion…and I knew what I was doing at the time was killing me because I didn’t have a passion for it.  After getting her blessing, I took the leap so to speak…and it’s an ongoing leap.  

When I am not photographing I am making films…basically creating videos for companies, colleges or people wanting to market their brand through video.  This is what pays the bills. :)  Because of this I can reinvest into the wildlife photography and see where it takes me…it’s certainly a risk but one that I am very happy to have.

 TT: You have an adorable wife! Does she come along on most of your shoots? How does she feel about this adventure?

Ryan: Yes…she is amazing!  However, with her schedule I am generally alone on these trips.  Last year we were able to take a two-week trip together for wildlife photography which I will never forget.  She is so supportive…but as you can imagine, slightly sad on the day that I actually leave for a trip.  

TT: Okay, let’s talk photography. I’ll never forget the time I went to Costa Rica and saw an entire family of spider monkeys in the trees. Unfortunately, I have no documentation because they just look like dark blobs in my photos! Can you share some tips for all of us who want to take better pictures of wildlife?

  

Ryan: Best tip for wildlife…be patient.  Wildlife is such a unique form of photography and something I think a lot of people photograph even if it’s just at the local zoo.  Remember that the only way to capture a great photo is with great light.  So be patient and position yourself so that the light is hitting the subject as best as you can…I have been in situations where I can only get the photo from where I am. With birds or fast moving animals if you don’t take the photo they might be gone.  

TT: What equipment should a beginning photographer invest in? I know that I get a little overwhelmed at all the settings on my camera and end up just shooting on “auto” 99 percent of the time. What’s the best way for someone like me to improve their skills?

Ryan: Great question!  I use all Nikon gear…so it makes me a little biased. I would recommend anyone trying to do photography to get a DSLR. My personal favorite would be a used Nikon D90 for people trying to get into photography…it’s a great camera that has been around forever.

What some people don’t know is that the lens is possibly more important though…it gives you the ability to do things the camera can’t help you with.

As for camera settings…yes, so many people stay in auto.  However, if you don’t have the practice and need to capture a moving subject then auto will be your best bet. But, if you have the time, venture over to “S priority” which means shutter priority. This will allow you to manually set your shutter speed and the camera will automatically change the light let in to match this. 

TT: Finally, what was your most difficult animal to photograph? Tell us a little about how you got the perfect shot. What was your favorite?

Ryan: Hmm…so many great animals but the snowy owl is my favorite so far. Seeing an owl that big that stands out because it’s so white is really something; and the eyes just glow when the light hits them right.

I would say the perfect shot was on my last trip to Ottawa, Ontario to photograph the great gray owl (also spelled as grey). Patience was the key this time…the truth is that I didn’t even know I had the shot that I ended up with. With sports or wildlife photography you have to be fast so you don’t always know what you captured; of course, you have a general idea but sometimes the camera will surprise you!

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Thanks again to Ryan - I can't wait to put those photography tips into action! Remember, you can follow Sheets Studios on Ryan's website, Facebook, blog, and Etsy shop! 

All photographs courtesy of Sheets Studios