10 Ways to Improve Herp Photography for Beginners

From a frog smaller than a fingernail to a crocodile longer than a boat, here are 10 tips that I remind myself of while photographing herps.

Herps (reptiles and amphibians) showcase incredible diversity. Because of this, herp photography takes creativity and a broad range as a photographer. This leaves a lot of room for experimentation. Here are ten tips that I’ve found helpful throughout my herp photography journey (taking photos of reptiles and amphibians).

1. Ask Yourself What Details Make the Animal Unique

Much of the fascination sparked by reptiles and amphibians comes from how different they are from other animals. Photography allows us to showcase these unique details. Most people don’t get the opportunity to look closely at a frog’s skin or at the scales of a snake. These details that are normally overlooked make great subjects for photography, as they give the audience a new perspective.

Scales of a colorful ameiva lizard.

2. Keep the Eye in Focus, But What Else?

I like to ask myself: Where is my eye drawn to on the animal? Is it the pattern, the eye, the claws? Think about what makes this animal unique and what you want to showcase about the animal.

Having the eye in focus helps the audience connect with the animal, but play around with focus to highlight other aspects of the animal. Also, remember your plane of focus. You can focus on the animal’s eye and another spot by adjusting aperture or by moving yourself so that the points you want to be in focus are the same distance from your camera. This is your focal plane. Tiny movements make a difference when it comes to focus, so move slowly and notice how the focal points change as you move.

Portrait of a green tree frog.

3. Show Off Habitat/Aspects of Habitat

This is another part of what makes these animals so interesting. Many herp species occupy small niches in their habitats. Photography can act as a tool for science communication by showing the audience where these animals live. Creating a sense of place can help the audience connect with the animal. It’s no longer just an alien-like creature but something that lives in the same world as them.

Small south Florida mole king snake resting near a bullet casing.

4. Think About Background

What will make colors pop? Can you get more of the body or leaves in the background?

Black backgrounds are classic, but are there any other colors in the environment that make the subject pop? Background can not only help your subject pop but give more context to your image. Different colors and shapes can direct the flow of the image and add an artistic element that is fun to experiment with.

Amazon tree boa hanging from a tree.

5. Play Around With Your Light Source

Move your light source around (if possible) and notice changes to shadow, shine, and iridescence. Herps possess many different textures. This means that the lighting for one animal won’t work the same for every animal. For example, you may need to diffuse light more to capture the details of a snake because of the way the light shines on the scales, in comparison to the scales of a crocodile that are not as shiny. Playing with where your light is coming from and the amount of light that is on the subject can completely change an image.

Iridescence of a water python.

6. Try to Be at Eye Level With Your Subject but Don’t Be Afraid to Move Around

Photographers often talk about being eye level with your subject because it makes the audience feel that they are a similar size. It is a way to connect with the subject, similar to keeping the eye in focus. But don’t be afraid to try different angles based on the features you want to show off. A lot of herps have beautiful patterns that can only be revealed with a top-down shot. I like to ask myself: What are the features that draw me to this animal? From there, I decide how I want to position myself to showcase those features. And while I’m photographing, I try to move around the subject. Even if I don’t have a specific shot in mind, this can get my brain thinking of new compositions (this includes moving the camera to shoot vertically).

Lace monitor peeking out of the bushes.

7. Get Close, When Safe

The closer you get to your subject, the more you notice. Sometimes these are details that you may not even notice from a distance. But safety is always a consideration when photographing wildlife, so assess each situation. Know your subject before confronting it, understanding the dangers and risks. Spend time with your subject. I find that the more I simply watch the animal, the more creative I get with what I can photograph.

Young American alligator underwater.

8. Think About Orientation

When framing an image, you want to leave space for your subject to breathe and move. They are not literally moving in an image, but think about what direction your subject would be moving if it were (which is usually forward). Leaving space in this direction makes the image feel breathable and not cramped. I like to start by orienting the subject facing inwards and not too close to the edges of the photo. Playing around with framing is also something you can do while editing.

Young, yellow-orange Amazon tree boa.

9. Eliminate/Use Negative Space

When looking at what to do with negative space, ask yourself: “Does the negative space in the image distract from the subject or add an interesting aspect to the framing of the image?” There is not a “one size fits all” rule when it comes to negative space, so experimenting using cropping features can be a good way to get a feel for your style.

Green vine snake portrait with black background.

10. Enjoy Yourself

We are photographers because we love the art and our subjects. It is easy to forget this.

I often find myself getting frustrated photographing because I am so focused on getting “the shot,” an image I have created in my mind that may not be achievable. When I feel myself slipping into this frustrated state, I try to remind myself of why I photograph these animals. I do it as a way of connecting and documenting my experiences with these animals.