Photographing Bears? Here Are 6 Things to Keep in Mind

Words and Images by Ryan Tidman  |  October 2024

Here in North America, bears are not only a symbol of wilderness but one of our most iconic apex predators—representing the very essence of “charismatic megafauna.” Yet, this deep fascination comes with responsibility, particularly as photographing bears becomes more accessible and popular.

Having spent years working in close proximity to bears—whether filming polar bears for Disney in the Arctic or photographing black bears on Vancouver Island—I’ve learned that the same fundamental principles apply in all encounters.

Below are six essential rules to bear in mind when photographing these incredible animals.

#1 Do Not Interact

Bears are non-confrontational by nature and are generally fearful or cautious of humans. It may come as a surprise, but bears are naturally disinterested in humans. Like most wildlife, they have no desire to interact with us.

The key is to ensure that it stays that way. Animals in the wild should remain just that—wild. It’s crucial for us to respect their space and avoid forcing any unnatural connections when photographing them.

#2 Let Sleeping Bears Lie

We need to take great care not to disturb the bears. This is layered but straightforward: this means moving calmly and predictably along established routes and refraining from making loud noises, making sudden movements, or using our camera flash.

While photographing bears, the desired result should be to capture an image of an animal in its environment as naturally as possible. The second a bear alters its natural behavior to one’s presence, it not only disturbs the animal but also makes your shot worthless.

As wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, our objective should be the desire to share the natural world and our experiences as authentically as possible. True wildlife photography captures nature untouched. If you’re after posed or unnatural scenes, you’re better off visiting a zoo.

#3 Listen to your Guide

If you’re photographing bears, hopefully you aren’t in Katmai National Park by yourself. (And, if you are, I imagine you don’t need to be reading this.)

Trust your guide. Experienced bear guides from reputable outfitters undergo rigorous training to ensure both your safety and the bears’ well-being. They provide direction on how the group should respond to bears in the vicinity and are constantly assessing their surroundings and bear behavior.

By following their directions exactly and immediately, group safety will not be jeopardized and help minimize disturbance to wildlife.

#4 Leave No Trace

Take nothing but photography and leave no trace of visiting. This can’t be stressed enough: all waste, including food scraps, must be packed out.

Our goal should be to leave no residue of our presence—both during our visit and after we’ve left. Human waste can disrupt a bear’s natural behavior and, in worst-case scenarios, lead to tragedy.

Bears introduced to human food often become dangerous and are ultimately removed or killed. This outcome stands in direct contradiction to the values of wildlife conservation and photography.

#5 Limit Movement

Chances are, you won’t be the only person photographing bears. Even if it’s just you and your guide, group cohesion is key to safety and minimizing disturbance to wildlife.

The more spread out your group is, the more unpredictable we seem to bears. Stay in a single file while walking and watch your footing to help one another. When you make it to where you’re going, stay close together and limit your movement.

#6 Pay Attention

If there aren’t bears, there’s probably something else interesting to photograph.If you’re out to see bears and end up “skunked,” don’t let it dampen your spirits. If you’re in the right area, odds are there are other wildlife and landscapes, just as alluring as the thought of the bear was initially.

Bears are just one part of an intricate ecosystem. Turn your attention to the forest, the salmon in the river, or the tundra stretching before you. Some of my best photographic moments have come on days when I set out to find bears and didn’t—but discovered so much more.

Final Thoughts

Although many of these rules may seem obvious, some may ignore or forget one or two in the excitement of the moment, which can tarnish or wreck an experience for themselves and others.

At the end of the day, the most important objective should be to not interfere with or impede the natural behavior of bears or any wildlife. It’s our collective responsibility to care for and celebrate the wild places of the world, ensuring they endure for future generations.

See more of Ryan Tidman’s work at ryantidman.com.