Hi! I’m Anna - the Content Creator here at the zoo
A big part of my job involves being out and about capturing photos and videos of all the incredible animals we have. As you can imagine, it’s a lot of fun, and no two days are ever the same!
My background spans a mix of content creation and design roles across fashion, pet, and lifestyle brands, but I’ve always dreamed of working with animals. When this role came up, it truly felt like a dream job!
My favourite animal to film so far has been the tree kangaroos - check out this video of our lovely female tree kangaroo, Kitawa, showing us how strong her love is for sweet potato . . .
Here are my top tips for getting the best summer pics possible when visiting to the zoo!
How to get the best shots using just your mobile
It might seem obvious, but always check and clean your lens - even a small smudge can ruin a great shot!
Next, make sure your subject is in focus. Just tap on your subject on the screen to ensure it's sharp. Once you've focused, adjust the exposure by sliding your finger up or down to brighten or darken the image as needed. Try to keep the animal centred in the frame and keep your phone as still as possible!
How to get that ‘iconic shot’ of your favourite animal
It might seem obvious, but always check and clean your lens - even a small smudge can ruin a great shot!
Next, make sure your subject is in focus. Just tap on your subject on the screen to ensure it's sharp. Once you've focused, adjust the exposure by sliding your finger up or down to brighten or darken the image as needed. Try to keep the animal centred in the frame and keep your phone as still as possible!
How to catch a moving animal or an action shot
If you’re using your phone, try switching to video! You’re more likely to catch the action, and it makes for a great moment to look back on. If you’re shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, make sure your shutter speed is high enough to freeze movement. It’s definitely worth learning more about shutter speed if you want to capture fast-moving subjects.
You can still get great photos when there’s no sun!
If it’s not as sunny as you hoped, don’t worry! Cloudy or overcast days can actually be perfect for wildlife photography. The clouds act like a natural diffuser, spreading soft, even light across the scene — which helps avoid harsh shadows and brings out more detail in animal habitats.
We also have loads of interesting indoor spaces at the zoo, so you don’t need to rely on the weather to get a great animal shot!
How to find a hidden gem for your perfect photograph
Don’t just focus on the larger habitats! There are thousands of fascinating species to discover in the zoo’s indoor spaces too.
I’d definitely recommend checking out Monsoon Forest in the Islands section or heading over to the Tropical Realm — both are full of hidden gems!
Remember to be respectful to the animals when taking photos
Please avoid banging on the glass or using flash photography — especially in darker areas, which are kept dim to support the animals’ natural needs. Keep things calm and quiet so they can feel at home.
Here’s some tips and tricks for editing your photos and videos to help them stand out:
- Straighten and crop: Fix tilted horizons and crop out distractions.
- Adjust exposure: Make sure your photo isn’t too dark or too bright.
- Tweak contrast: Add contrast for depth, but don’t go overboard - too much can destroy detail.
- Highlights: Lower them to bring back details in bright areas.
- Shadows: Raise them to recover dark areas without washing out the image.
- Always edit a copy of your original photo.
- If you shoot in RAW (for DSLR users) you’ll have more flexibility when editing.
- Less is often more - subtle edits usually look the most professional.
When sharing your photos, remember to tag us @chesterzoo!
If you’d like to try putting these top tips into action, why not book onto our Early Access Bird Photography Tour where you’ll have early, uninterrupted access to bird habitats across the zoo from 8:30am, for an hour and a half. As a member, you get an exclusive discount on this experience, call our Experiences HQ on 01244 389422 to book.
