"How to Select the Right Gear That’s Right for You"

Choosing the right gear for wildlife photography can feel overwhelming. With so many cameras, lenses, tripods, and accessories on the market, it’s easy to get stuck asking:
“What do I really need to get the shots I want?”

That’s exactly what this training with award-winning wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner helps you figure out.

Jennifer hosted a 90-minute live session for the Journal of Wildlife Photography, where she broke down how to match your gear to your photographic goals—so you can stop second-guessing what goes in your bag.

Whether you’re photographing wolves in Yellowstone, birds in flight at Magee Marsh, or grizzlies at Brooks Falls, this session is packed with practical advice for photographers at all levels.

What You’ll Learn in the Training

Jennifer’s presentation is built around a simple but powerful idea:
“There’s no perfect gear—just the right gear for you.”

She walks through the decisions photographers often struggle with:

📸 DSLR vs. Mirrorless: Which Should You Choose?

• Battery life differences
• Viewfinder preferences
• Autofocus and subject tracking
• Long-term manufacturer support

🔍 Prime vs. Zoom Lenses: What’s Right for Your Subject?

• Zooms for action and birds in flight
• Primes for sharpness and low light
• Wide-angle for storytelling
• Macro for detail and close-up work

📦 What’s in Jennifer’s Camera Bag?

• Nikon Z9 and Z50 bodies
• 800mm f/6.3 prime and 180-600mm zoom
• 24-70mm wide and 105mm macro lenses
• Ground pod, filters, batteries, flash, blower, and more

🧳 Stabilization Options

Jennifer compares tripods, monopods, ground pods, and handholding for different situations and explains what works best when space, weight, or time is limited.

💾 Memory, Backup & Travel Tips

• Daily backups to two external drives
• Keeping drives in separate bags
• Backing up to cloud storage at home
• Why huge memory cards can be risky

Who This Training Is For

This training is especially helpful for:

• Photographers planning their first wildlife trip
• Anyone upgrading to mirrorless
• People unsure what gear to pack
• Those who want to travel lighter with better results

“Thank you, Jennifer, for your clarity and detail. VERY useful presentation.” — Louise Noyes

“Wonderful presentation Jennifer. Very informative and valuable information.” — Swati

“So impressed with the new knowledge I gained.” — Geoff

“Great session!” — Marina Pierce

About Jennifer Leigh Warner

Jennifer is a full-time wildlife and conservation photographer based in Texas. She’s a Nikon professional and has led photo tours across the U.S., Alaska, Africa, and South America. She serves on the Board of Directors for NANPA and is the current Chair of the Ethics Committee. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, Outdoor Photographer, Gizmodo, Wired, The New Yorker, and the Journal of Wildlife Photography.

Learn more at experiencewildlife.com