When photographing in nature, it is important to maintain a “nature first” mentality, a concept spearheaded by photographers and nonprofits to help conserve the places outdoor photographers love through education and outreach.  

“The protection of these places is really important to me,” said Jason Weiss, a high-altitude mountain photographer in Colorado. “As photographers, we can contribute to the problem because we take pictures of pretty places and people want to go to those peoples, so it’s important to be intentional.” 

Being intentional can be through a host of principles: Prioritizing the well-being of nature over getting a photo, educating yourself on the place you are photographing, using discretion when showing locations and following leave no trace rules.

“We are guests in wild places, which are the home to unique natural features, as well as diverse and delicate ecosystems,” according to the nonprofit Nature First. “We, therefore, should tread lightly and never cause harm to the natural world in our pursuit of photography.” 

Choosing when to name a destination, specifically if it is a backcountry destination that is difficult to get to, can help preserve the space for the environment and people alike. Always look around for signage and educate yourself on the environmental properties of an area. 

For example, according to Nature First, walking across sand dunes to get a photo may not cause damage but walking across biological soil to get a photo could do severe damage to areas that have taken thousands of years to grow into what they are. 

“Don’t leave footprints where footprints shouldn’t be, pack out what you bring in, and leave places better by picking up trash around you, even if it’s not yours,” Nature First advises.  

And while being intentional could be described as more work, the preservation of the natural world is essential for species, ecosystems and wildlife photographers alike.  

“We can all do it,” Weiss said. “It’s more effort, but we can all do it.”