Photography has never been easier, and yet many photos of hunters with their trophies are just not very good. You likely don’t need any new photo gear, just a few new photo techniques. Using a photo of Travis “T-Bone” Turner as an example, check out some easy ways to improve your images from the field.

Tip 1: Clean it Up.
The reality is that you have just killed a large animal, but no one wants to see a bloody mess. This is a magnificent animal – give it some respect. Take some paper towels, a bottle of water, and a small pack of unscented baby wipes to clean up any blood. The tongue hanging out is also an unattractive detail, and the easiest way to deal with that is to just cut it out (trying to put it back in the mouth almost never works).

Tip 2: Bend Your Knees.
Get low to the ground, and put the deer in front of the hunter; this will make the rack look larger and provide a clean background. Get close to fill the frame, and have the hunter lift the head and adjust it until it looks natural. Put your bow or firearm in the frame (against the deer’s body will provide a clean background), but make sure the muzzle of any firearm is pointed in a safe direction.

Tip 3: Let There be Light.
This photo of T-Bone was taken midday, but you can still see his face. If there is a shadow on the face, turn on your flash (this is called ‘fill flash’), or use something that is white or silver to bounce light back onto the face of both the hunter and the deer. You can cover a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil to improvise a reflector. Practice with your camera and flash before the season to get it right. If you hunt alone, take a small tripod with you, and turn on the flash.

Tip 4: Never Just One & Done.
Keep taking photos until you get it right. If it’s night when you get back to camp, get dressed again in the morning and stage a new photo, or learn to use your flash to take good photos against the colorful sky at dusk – the images will be extra dramatic. Make sure your camera is set for the maximum file size possible, so you can have the images printed big.

Tip 5: Live and Learn.
Go onto the ‘interwebs’ and get specific tips for your camera gear on using fill flash and proper exposure, and then practice before the season starts. You practice your shooting and spend time scouting – this is just one more area of preparation you should work on.

Tip 6: Take Your WTU Hat.
T-Bone is sporting the ideal hat for a successful hunt photo – a Whitetails Unlimited cap. I might be biased, but that is the perfect final touch.

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