A Q&A with a Yellowstone Photographer, Part I
Recently the Flat Creek blog visited with Tanner Perkes, a wildlife photographer of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, to learn what it took to capture such fabulous images. All images in this blog post are his. You can follow him on Instagram: @perkes_of_the_outdoors. This is part 1 of 2 of the interview.
Q: What’s it like being a wildlife photographer?
A: Being a wildlife photographer has provided me with so many special experiences. I’ve been able to photograph animals and animal behavior that most people will probably never get to see. Even when I don’t see any animals, it has given me so many beautiful sunrises in beautiful and wild places. I have a blast chasing rare experiences that come with wildlife photography.
Q: How did it start?
A: Growing up in East Idaho, the outdoors was a huge part of my upbringing. My family is super outdoorsy. We camped, hiked and fly fished all over the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. We would take frequent trips to Yellowstone and Grand Teton all the time. I loved the whole outdoor scene, but I was particularly drawn to wildlife. I got a scope for Christmas one year and I would beg my parents to take me to Yellowstone so I could spot for grizzly bears. For the longest time, I would just take pictures with my family’s small point-and-shoot camera through my scope. I just wanted to show my friends the things I would see. Once I graduated college and had been working for a while I bought my camera and my passion for wildlife naturally turned into a photography hobby.
Q: What do you like so much about the greater Yellowstone area?
A: One reason I love the greater Yellowstone area is because it feels like home. This is where I grew up and developed my passion for wildlife. It truly is a wildlife photographer’s paradise. I have traveled a fair amount of my photography hobby and I have yet to find anywhere with even as close to the biodiversity that Yellowstone has. I’ve had so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences here with incredible wildlife.
Q: Do you venture into the Tetons much?
A: I love the Tetons. I worked as a seasonal worker for a few summers in Jackson during college and really got to explore and know the area. I have had some of my most memorable wildlife encounters in the Tetons, including my first mountain lion sighting.
Q: What is the hardest animal to photograph? And how do you find it?
A: The hardest animal to photograph in my experience has been mountain lions. I have become passionate about tracking these cats. They are so elusive and incredibly good at not being seen. The last few winters I have devoted tons of time to learning about their habits and patterns. I have followed lots of tracks to learn the types of habitats they utilize. I have also set trail cams to further educate myself about their movements on the landscape. I have been able to photograph five individual cats over the past two winters (getting only two or three photos that have turned out okay, but that is alright with me because it is more about the chase and the experience than getting a good image). The more work that goes into an image, the more satisfying it is to capture.
Stay tuned for part 2!
