Photography Gear and Equipment

Photo: Tim Timmis/Audubon Photography Awards

You're ready to take bird photos, but where to start?

What kind of camera should you consider buying? What else should you bring into the field? What if I just want to use my phone? Don't panic. These are all great questions—ones that everybody has when they first decide to get into bird photography. Here we go over the tools and tips folks need to get started, as well as how they can level up their experience. 

Equipment Basics
Equipment Basics

If you're new to bird photography, the first challenge is finding the right gear. Here’s what you need to know.

In the Field
Other Stories and Tips
How to Snap Amazing Photos of Birds Under the Water
How to Snap Amazing Photos of Birds Under the Water

Birds dive, swim, and wade—and so can you with the proper gear. The winner of the 2020 Audubon Photography Award explains how to expand your wildlife photography this summer.

Is Flash Photography Safe for Owls?
Is Flash Photography Safe for Owls?

Their big, round eyes make them alluring subjects, but impairing an owl's vision, even briefly, might have negative consequences.