Capture stunning photographs of wildlife in their natural and zoo settings through this guided morning photography experience. Expert wildlife photographer Julie Gould, who has spent her career photographing animals across multiple environments and locations, leads this expedition through the National Zoo to the most photogenic animal exhibits and scenic compositions.
The National Zoo is recognized among America's premier wildlife collections, featuring diverse species from ecosystems across the globe. The variety ensures engaging photography opportunities throughout your visit. This safari emphasizes animals in outdoor habitats, beginning with the Great Cats exhibit featuring African lions and Asian tigers, including Amur and Sumatran subspecies. Julie teaches participants to interpret natural light, anticipate behavioral moments, and capture compelling images at each location. The discussion includes advanced long lens techniques, selective focusing methods, background composition, and the valuable skill of patient observation.
Throughout the safari, you'll photograph zebras, cheetahs, tortoises, various antelope species, gorillas, elephants, eagles, and potentially the famous pandas if passes are available. Julie offers practical guidance on lens selection, composition strategies, ISO settings, white balance adjustments, and rapid positioning for optimal wildlife shots. Note that panda passes may be available on-site, though availability is never guaranteed.
Expectations and Required Equipment:
This experience best suits photography enthusiasts and professionals with solid knowledge of camera operation and settings. The safari involves substantial physical activity with two to three miles of walking across zoo terrain and variable conditions. Long lenses are essential for outdoor exhibits; a minimum of 300mm focal length or 200mm with a 1.5x teleconverter is recommended. Professional-grade lenses like 400mm can be rented from local providers, including District Camera (locations in DC and Virginia), f8 rentals (DC and Virginia), ProPhoto (DC), or online services such as LensProToGo.com, Borrowlenses.com, and LensRental.com. Tripods or monopods are highly recommended for stability and image sharpness.
Bring plenty of bottled water due to the extensive walking. Pack these essential items:
- Digital camera with manual controls
- Long focal length lenses and backup lenses
- Multiple memory cards with ample storage
- Fully charged camera battery and spares
- Tripod or monopod for camera support
- Lens filters, remote shutter release, and other accessories
- Clothing appropriate for the season and weather conditions
- Hydration: bottled water is strongly recommended
