“Photography is a powerful tool for inspiring people to care about our planet and its creatures.” ~ Paul Nicklen, Canadian photographer, filmmaker and marine biologist 

For anyone who enjoys capturing the beauty of nature, it’s key to respect and protect the image subjects above all else. Ethical nature photography aims to convey the true spirit of wildlife and landscapes without altering, disturbing or manipulating them. By following a code of ethics, you can minimize your impact and set a positive example for ethical photography while inspiring others to appreciate and protect nature. 

The below guidelines are based on the Code of Ethics developed by the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, a partner in our 2024 Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge. 

1. Respect the environment and wildlife

• • Never pursue, follow or bother an animal that is visibly stressed or afraid. 
  • Minimize disruptions around breeding areas and during breeding seasons.
  • Don’t use call recordings or bait to attract animals. This can lead to wildlife habituation which can be dangerous for both wildlife and humans.
  • Maintain a respectable distance from nocturnal wildlife resting during the day such as owls.
  • Always consider the impact that using a flash at night could have on wildlife, especially nocturnal species.
  • Use discretion when sharing the location of a site and wildlife, especially rare, endangered or breeding wildlife. This includes sharing information on social media. It may attract swarms of people to the area and increase stress on the ecosystem and/or wildlife.

2. Minimize your impact as much as possible

• • Follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. 
  • Stay on trails to avoid damaging vegetation, spreading invasive species and contributing to erosion.
  • Dispose of waste properly, including organic matter such as apple cores. Waste can be dangerous for wildlife to consume and may draw wildlife close to trails, increasing risk of human-wildlife conflict.
  • Respect area or trail closures and signage.

3. Respect others

• • Share the trail and outdoor spaces with other photographers, recreationalists and visitors.
  • Be mindful of noise and the volume of your voice as not to disturb wildlife and the experience of other photographers or visitors.
  • Respect the rules, laws, curfews and policies of specific areas and their staff or property owners.

4. Sharing of photography

• • Avoid digitally manipulating images to intentional deceive an audience. Any considerable manipulations must always be disclosed. 
  • Written information used alongside images must always be truthful and accurate. 

Download this guide as a PDF.

To see a more detailed Code of Ethics, visit the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective website.