After nearly 20 years of traveling and photographing the outdoors—both as an enthusiast and a professional—I’ve noticed a frustrating trend: people leaving behind their crap (both literal and figurative) and showing little regard for the environment.
There’s no denying that more and more of us are seeking time in nature, whether for hiking, photography, or simply to disconnect. And we can all agree—being outside, in any weather, is wonderful. But for the love of all that is good in this world, please be mindful of what you bring with you.
The Leave No Trace philosophy is simple: if you take something into nature, take it back home with you. As someone from Dublin, Ireland, with the stunning Dublin Mountains and the landscapes of Wicklow right on my doorstep, I feel incredibly lucky. But unfortunately, I also see firsthand how people sometimes fail to respect these beautiful places. And I’m sure many of you can relate.
The Environmental Impact of Photography
I’m not here to point fingers or preach about how anyone conducts themselves while taking pictures in nature, and I hope this article doesn’t come across that way. But I do believe it’s important to highlight and discuss these issues as much as possible.
If you're like me, and landscape photography fuels your creativity, you probably find yourself outdoors more than most. Having a specific trail or location in mind before heading out can help minimize environmental impact—especially when it comes to avoiding the trampling of delicate vegetation. Whenever possible, sticking to designated trails is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect the environment.
That said, let’s be honest—we’ve all stepped off-trail at some point in search of the perfect composition. If you do find yourself in this situation, try to tread as lightly as possible and be mindful of where you step. A little extra awareness goes a long way in preserving the beauty around us.
Wildlife awareness is another critical part of ethical nature photography. Personally, I hate the thought of disturbing an animal’s habitat while I’m out shooting. Here in Ireland, we don’t have to worry about bears or other large predators, but if you live in a place where a single swipe from a wild animal could cost you an arm, extra precautions are obviously necessary!
More importantly, wildlife protection is something we can all agree is essential—not just for the environment, but also for wildlife photographers who depend on these incredible creatures for their art.
And finally—trash. This one’s a no-brainer: just take it home. It’s the simplest way to respect nature, yet so many people fail to do it. Whether it’s snack wrappers, water bottles, or even biodegradable items like banana peels (which can still disrupt ecosystems), leaving no trace should always be a priority.
The Leave No Trace Principles for Photographers
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
We already briefly touched on this above, but it’s worth expanding on—especially when it comes to the gear we pack. Whenever possible, it’s best to use eco-friendly accessories. These can include reusable water bottles, biodegradable tissue paper (for, you know... number two), and eco-friendly hand soap. Being more considerate with your packing list can have a huge impact.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
If you’re heading out for an overnight camping photography adventure—perhaps for moonscapes or astrophotography—it’s crucial to pay close attention to your surroundings. Setting up camp in the dark could lead to unintentionally trampling a delicate ecosystem.
Even your tripod placement should be considered—you don’t want to skewer some unsuspecting squirrel with your spikes!
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
This one hits home the hardest. It’s always disheartening to see trash and random debris left behind. It’s hard to comprehend how people grow up thinking, “Yeah, just leave it there, it’ll be grand.”
As I mentioned earlier—please, please take your trash with you and dispose of it properly. We’re all out there for the same reason: to capture beautiful landscapes. Preserving them is far too important to leave things behind.
I’ve sadly seen clear evidence of photographers leaving things behind. I have to assume this was by mistake—surely no one would intentionally leave a drone battery or lens cloths... one would hope.
4. Leave What You Find
“This shot would be so much better if...” I’ll let you finish that sentence. But please, don’t be one of those photographers who moves a bunch of elements out of the way for a cleaner composition.
Nature is what it is when you arrive. Yes, the image might look better without certain distractions, but thankfully, we can remove a lot of this in post-production now—which I’m sure nature is delighted about too.
5. Minimize Campfire and Artificial Light Impact
On safari, I witnessed people at a watering hole after sunset popping off their flashes, hoping for a better shot in low light. You could almost see the animals recoiling, as if a flash bomb had just gone off beside them.
Please, don’t do this. Instead, increase your ISO—you can always deal with the noise later in post.
It’s also important to remember that there are other people around you, especially if you’re shooting astrophotography. There’s nothing worse than someone’s headlamp ruining your 30-second exposure.
With campfires, be exceptionally mindful—particularly if you live somewhere prone to forest fires. We all know the massive impact these can have on nature.
6. Respect Wildlife
If you’re not blinding the wildlife with your flash or skewering them with your tripod, another important aspect of respect is keeping a safe distance.
A simple solution? Use a long focal length lens instead of getting too close to an animal. Not only will this help avoid potential limb loss, but it can also enhance your image by adding extra bokeh.
I’ve also heard tales of photographers baiting wildlife to get the shot they want. This is not cool. Nature photography is a game of patience—you can’t force an arctic fox to move where you want it to, just like you can’t control whether fluffy pink clouds appear above the mountain you’re shooting.
If it works out, great! If not, at least you spent time outdoors doing what you love.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Nature is for all of us to bask in, share, and enjoy. It’s important to be mindful of others while out and about.
Personally, I like to get up early to position myself and my gear for the image I want, and I’m always happy to chat with people. I love a good selfie as much as the next person, but I’d never dream of stepping in front of someone’s camera to take one.
Try to take up as little space as possible when shooting at popular locations. This way, everyone has the same opportunity to capture the magic—and maybe even make some new friends along the way.
That said, these are guidelines—not rules. If you’re careless about treating nature respectfully while shooting, be prepared for some harsh glares from across the way—or even a potential confrontation. Mindfulness is key.
Ethical Social Media Practices
Now, it would be remiss of me not to mention the impact social media has had on nature in the photography world. Some photographers, like Nick Page, geotag images with the “Maca Arch” to throw people off the scent—a clever photography catfish! But there’s no denying that certain locations are being overshot, often to their detriment.
I love a good “classic shot” and look forward to capturing them when I get the chance, but sometimes, when I arrive, it’s so busy that I don’t take a single picture—and that sucks. The rise of Instagram hotspots has led to some locations being completely overrun, often harming the environment in the process.
That being said, I completely understand the sentiment of “I paid a lot of money to be here—I want the shot.” My advice? Get the shot, then leave. Explore alternative compositions in the same area—you might just find one you prefer even more than the classic!
Sustainable Gear and Practices
A little side note on gear: investing in sustainable, eco-friendly items is a great approach—if you can afford it. Something as simple as using rechargeable batteries can make a difference. A solar charger is another great tool—especially if you’re not constantly shrouded in gray clouds like I am in Ireland.
One major way to make a difference is by supporting brands that are committed to ethical production and actively aid in the conservation of our natural world.
Conclusion
I’m sure by now you’re thinking, “Okay, Neil, I get it—I’ll be good!” I promise we’re almost done, but just to sum it up: We all love photography, and what better way to show appreciation for what we love than by protecting it? Sometimes, having an ethical approach to nature photography means missing the shot you originally set out for—but at least you can go home knowing you didn’t take nature for granted just to get an image.
Be mindful, educate others, and, most importantly, leave no trace.
Cheers!
