What Inspires a Wildlife Photographer? Jorn Shares His Secrets

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK IS NEVER-ENDING INSPIRATION, THIS TIME IN THE FORM OF SPARRING BULL MOOSE. NIKON 20-700MM LENS IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

An Interview with Wildlife Photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven
Part 1

By Roberta Kravette

UPDATE: July 03, 2020. Please Join us in Congratulating Jorn!
The 5TH 35AWARDs International Photography Award has named Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven:
One of the TOP 35 Wildlife Photographers in the World
One of the TOP 35 Photographers in the US (across all categories) by 5TH 35AWARDS

Roberta Kravette, Editor and Travel Advisor, Destination: Wildlife

The work of wildlife photographer, Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven first caught our eye a few years ago with his photograph of a fishing grey wolf in Alaska. Since then, he has become a valuable part of our Destination: Wildlife Team, contributing insightful and beautifully photographed stories on species as well as destinations.

Jorn has had a passion for animals since childhood, but his clear-sighted perspective makes for some interesting subjects. His “Adorable But Harmful. What to Do With Nutria” shined a spotlight on the question of introduced species. And when an accidental misstep brought him terrifyingly close to an angry grizzly, he wove lessons learned into his unforgettable story. That incident did not quench his love of bears, as shown by his “Best Places to See and Photograph Grizzly Bears”, the culmination of his series on grizzlies. The following is in Jorn’s own words:

When Did You Know You Wanted to Devote Your Life to Wildlife and Nature Photography?

I remember driving by a slaughterhouse when I was maybe 10 years old. Realizing what was going on inside, I was heartbroken, powerless, and angry. I grew up with pets and have always loved animals. I knew I wanted to protect what I loved, but I didn’t see wildlife and nature photography as a career choice; especially growing up in Belgium where we have no “Yellowstone’s” in our backyard.

It wasn’t until I traveled in the U.S. with my uncle that I started seeing great wildlife photography. On day we walked into one of Thomas Mangelsen’s galleries. I was awed at his amazing wildlife images.

I feel very fortunate to now have the opportunity to spend my time doing what I’m truly passionate about. Hopefully I can make a difference in protecting nature and its wildlife.

When Did You Pick-Up Your First Camera?

THE PHOTOGRAPHER AT WORK. NIKON 24070MM LENS. IMAGE: ©HANNAH VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

It must have been when I was about 6 or 7 years old, growing up in Belgium. Some of my earliest pictures involved a Polaroid camera. The Polaroid was an ‘instant’ camera that used self-developing film. Once you took a picture, the camera printed it right then and there on the spot! You received the same instant gratification as you do nowadays by looking at the LCD screen on your camera or your phone.

My first pictures made at that age had quite an elaborate setup. I created dioramas with some of my toys, rocks, branches, and even dug little rivers in the dirt in the yard.

PORTRAIT OF A VERY MUCH ALIVE BIG HORN RAM IN WYOMING. NIKON 200-500 LENS. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

The first wildlife image that I remember taking was actually of a dead animal. My parents used to take us on a summer vacation every year. I loved going to the Swiss Alps. On one holiday, we rented a cabin in the mountain village of Meien-Dorfli. There was a chamois's head mounted on the wall of the cabin. That's a goat-antelope type of animal that lives in the mountains across Europe.

I asked my dad to hold the head outside of the window – to have better light available. I used his film camera SLR to take the picture. Of course, I had no clue at the time of shutter speed, aperture, and film speed, but with his help, the image turned out sharp and well exposed.

Would You Share Your Favorite Wildlife Photography Destinations?

“AT HOME” IN BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST, JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

I find myself drawn to bigger wildlife, bears, moose and elk. What better place to photograph them than Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks? You just never know what you’ll encounter. One day, it can be a grizzly with cubs crossing the road, tomorrow a couple of sparring bull elk and the next day a huge bull moose.

Tell Us, Do You Have a Favorite Species?

AUTUMN IN THE GRAND TETONS WITNESS THE POWER AND SOUND OF NATURE. BULL AND COW ELK. NIKON 600MM LENS. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

My favorite species is elk, specifically during the annual rut. My favorite place to photograph it is Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado or Redwood National Park on the California coast. The sound of a bugling elk and the sheer power of nature when two mature bulls lock their antlers can bring tears to your eyes!

I’m also awed by the annual salmon runs in Canada and Alaska. I set up my tripod on the bank of a salmon-filled river to await the arrival of the animals that feed on them: grizzly and black bears, wolves, bald eagles and more. Once you witness a big grizzly bear chasing salmon in the stream right in front of you, all the cold, rain-soaked hours you stood there waiting for him to show up disappear!

What Is Your Most Unforgettable Photography Moment ?

PORTRAIT OF A BLACK BEAR. NIKON 600MM LENS. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

I was having breakfast in my RV at a campsite in Yellowstone when I heard a faint crying noise. As there were other campers around, I didn’t pay too much attention. But it continued so I finally went outside for a look.

In the distance stood a black bear sow with two tiny cubs. She had safely escorted one cub across a fast-moving mountain stream but the second one proved to be a different story. I grabbed my camera with long telephoto lens and headed out to the river.

The second cub was sitting there all alone, crying at its sibling and mom already across the stream. I maneuvered through the bushes until I was able to sit next to the creek; still a safe distance away from the bears.

Remember: always keep 100 yards from bears – and never go between a bear and her cubs! While seated there - very uncomfortably – and trying not to fall into the stream, I waited and waited for the second cub to find courage to cross.

I knew if it happened - I had to be ready for the moment.

The mom kept going back and forth in the hopes of luring her cub to try, but to no avail.

Finally, after what must have been 30 minutes, the little cub went for it - leapt into the river and made it across. And I was ready for the shot.

THE LITTLE CUB FINALLY FOUND HIS COURAGE, AND JORN WAS READY. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. NIKON 200-500MM LENS. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

The Magic of Pure Luck Brings Another Favorite Moment

Tongass National Forest is a temperate rain forest so you can expect rainy and overcast days. I was well prepared with protection for myself and my camera gear, but the weather still took a toll on my mood: long, cold days spent along a salmon-filled creek, waiting, waiting and more waiting with no bears showing up ...

One cold, damp, bear-less afternoon we left the creek to find lunch in a nearby small town. And that was the scene of one of my favorite pictures of the entire two-month trip.

Across from the town’s library a black bear sat up a tree: he couldn’t have cared less about the people across the street, or the dogs nearby, or that I was right there taking pictures of him. The bear looked so relaxed he even appears to be smiling in the picture! And yes, soon after I made the image, he closed his eyes and went for a nap.

Goes to show, always carry a camera with you.

Black-bear-in-tree-Southeast-Alaska-Jorn-Vangoidtsenhoven.jpg

You Spend A Lot of Time in Remote Areas.
Have You Had Any Scary Moments with Wildlife?

I’ve had my share of scary encounters. Even when keeping the recommended distance, sometimes, the animal doesn’t like you there. Perhaps it smells your dog’s odor on you. Perhaps it has babies nearby.

I have been charged by cow elk on two separate occasions, once in Yellowstone and once in Canada’s Jasper National Park. Cow elk may not come to mind when you think of deadly animals but every year, multiple people get injured and sometimes killed by elk.

On both occasions, I was photographing a cow elk from a safe distance away (30 or 40 yards) and the grazing elk slowly approached me. No worries, I thought, the elk has seen me, knows I’m sitting on the ground and am not a threat... until on both occasions, the cow elk suddenly decided to charge. Luckily, it stopped short both times.

My most frightening encounter happened when I was walking my dog near our campground in the National Forest in Wyoming and inadvertently walked in on a grizzly bear with her cub feeding on an animal carcass.

Boy, if something gets your heart rate going ... Luckily for me, the bear only made two bluff charges at me before disappearing into the forest.

Afterward, the local Forest Service Wildlife Biologist spoke with me about the encounter. I recommend everyone to read his advice before heading into bear country.

This encounter is still the most popular post on my site. I guess people really like reading about me almost getting killed but if it’s all the same, I’m not interested in repeating this experience!

FEMALE ELK LOOKS SWEET BUT ANNOY HER AND SHE CAN TURN DEADLY. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENHOVEN

What is the Most Important Thing to Remember When Going Out to Photograph Wildlife?

By Vangoidtsenhoven, Jorn

Wild animals are wild. A simple truth people sometimes don’t understand, their lives are so far removed from nature that they treat places like Yellowstone as though it was a petting zoo. It’s scary to watch tourists approach a big bison or bull elk with phone camera in hand.

In Belgium’s forests I doubt there is any animal that can hurt you. In North America however, there are many that can kill you, and although few ever do, that’s beside the point. I’m constantly seeking ways to improve my skills at being in nature and in predicting animal behavior.

I strongly recommend researching the wildlife rules, regulations, and guidelines before you head into an area.

It is our job as humans to protect animals. We have to be their voice. We have to follow all guidelines set by the Park Service and other authorities.

We are out of time for now, but Jorn shares tips on his favorite photography equipment and why he wrote his book A Beginner’s Guide to Bird and Wildlife Photography.