Beyond the Portrait: Capturing Wildlife in Its Element

Most wildlife photographers aim to get as close to the subject as possible. Tight shots. Feather detail. Eye glint.

But what if stepping back told a better story?

That’s exactly what professional photographer Matt Shannon explores in this compelling training replay:
“Beyond the Portrait: Capturing Wildlife in Its Element.”

Matt, based in British Columbia, blends his award-winning background in landscape photography with a deep love for wild animals. In this session, he shares how to create environmental wildlife portraits—images that include not just the animal, but its home, its light, and its story.

What You’ll Learn in the Training

This training teaches how to move beyond classic close-ups and use the landscape as a storytelling tool in your wildlife images.

Blending Wildlife and Landscape for Impact

• Why shooting wider can create more emotional, impactful photos
• How to use mountains, forests, water, and light as compositional elements
• Tips for layering your images for depth and meaning
• How Matt scouts for locations with both animal presence and scenic potential

Using Composition to Tell a Story

• How to make the animal feel “part of the scene” rather than pasted into it
• Why centering your subject isn’t always wrong—and when to break the rule of thirds
• Framing techniques that balance landscape shapes and wildlife behavior
• How foreground and negative space can create tension or tranquility

Filters and Tools That Support the Vision

• How and when Matt uses polarizers and ND filters
• Why filters aren’t just for landscapes—and how to use them without hurting sharpness
• When to use stitching and panoramas for ultra-wide scenes
• Gear tips: lenses, tripods, and field setup insights

Ethical Field Practices and Light Scouting

• How to shoot impactful scenes without disturbing wildlife
• Matt’s process for pre-scouting locations and light angles
• Tips for anticipating animal behavior in open spaces
• Why patience and preparation matter more than proximity

Who This Training Is For

This training is perfect for photographers who want to move beyond the usual crop-tight approach and explore environmental storytelling.

• Wildlife photographers who feel their images are missing “something more”
• Landscape photographers transitioning into wildlife work
• Birders and field naturalists who want to tell habitat-based stories
• Photographers shooting with mid-range telephoto lenses (100–400mm)
• Anyone interested in ethical, context-rich wildlife photography

Real Feedback From Attendees

“Really inspiring and exciting! Great new ideas to think about and incorporate going forward. Takes away the constant desire to shoot as close as possible with longer and longer lenses.”
— macbookpro16

“Excellent presentation and even better images. Very inspiring. Gives me lots to think about in my own photography.”
— Christy Hibsch

“Glad to have discovered another great Canadian photographer. Excellent presentation… Thanks to your presentation, I feel validated in my landscape inspired bird shots.”
— Carolle Marchand

“Great presentation Matt. I always appreciate your YouTube videos and this was no exception.”
— Tony Madsen

“Super presentation. Thanks for sharing your work!”
— Cliff Hodge

About the Presenter

Matt Shannon is a professional photographer based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, known for his work that blends landscape and wildlife. His images have been featured by Destination Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, and regional tourism campaigns across the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to selling fine art prints, Matt leads workshops and shares regular tutorials on his YouTube channel, where he teaches ethical photography techniques, composition, and visual storytelling.

Visit his website at mattshannon.ca to explore his portfolio and upcoming photo adventures.