Photographing birds and wildlife requires special technique that can vary from one animal to another. It also requires the right camera and lens, and many Sony shooters choose the powerhouse Sony Alpha 1 to use with lenses like the Sony 600mm f/4 G Master, Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master and Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G in order to get the shots they envision. As the weather changes, so does wildlife activity, and this week we’re taking a look at a group of Sony shooters who are photographing birds and wildlife and sharing their imagery on Instagram. 

As the weather changes, so does wildlife activity…check out these photographers who are capturing the action with their Sony Alpha cameras.

Colby Brown - @ColbyBrownPhotography

Sony Artisan of Imagery Colby Brown is a photographer and teacher who focuses on wildlife, travel, landscape, and humanitarian photography. Brown focuses his efforts on connecting the audience with his imagery and helping them feel that passion for wildlife that he feels. In the post below, Brown has managed to capture the incredibly fast-moving hummingbirds! Brown states, “There is something pretty special about photographing a challenging subject like a hummingbird. Their sheer speed and erratic movements make it hard to predict, but when everything lines up right, the results can be pretty magical.” Shot with the Sony Alpha 1 and the Sony 600mm f/4 G Master lens, we agree these are magical images. 

Matt Kloskowski - @mattkloskowski

Sony Artisan of Imagery and nature/wildlife photographer Matt Kloskowski has stated that he finds bird photography one of the most rewarding areas of photography. He describes how he loves peeking into a different world as well as the challenge that comes with it. And Kloskowski has certainly mastered this challenge! Scroll through his Instagram and you’ll see tons of striking bird images. We love the adorable moment he captured below! Kloskowski used the Sony Alpha 1 and the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. Learn more about how he sets up his camera for bird photography HERE and see his complete photography kit in his What's In My Bag article.

Cristina Mittermeier – @mitty

Cristina Mittermeier is a conservation photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery. She brings awareness to important conservation issues through her compelling life’s work. She’s the co-founder of conservation organizations @SeaLegacy, which is dedicated to promoting the protection of the world’s oceans through storytelling, and @OnlyOne, a platform for stories, solutions and community action to protect the ocean, tackle the climate crisis and help build a more just, equitable planet. We love the images she shared below of Adélie penguins. In the caption, Mittermeier tells us that “these feisty little birds are famous for their fearlessness.” Follow her along on the SeaLegacy adventures HERE.

Paul Nicklen – @paulnicklen

Sony Artisan of Imagery Paul Nicklen is among the world’s most celebrated nature photographers and filmmakers. He’s also an acclaimed polar specialist, speaker, author, @natgeo contributor and the co-founder of conservation organization @SeaLegacy with Cristina Mittermeier (@mitty). He aims to create an emotional connection through his photography, giving us a closer look at wild objects in extreme conditions most humans would otherwise never witness. He collaborates with other conservationists, scientists and creatives to create awareness and inspire action for global issues like climate change.

Charlee Wild – @CharleeWild

Alpha Collective member Charlee Wild focuses her photography on adventure, travel, wildlife and fine art photography. She is known for her minimalistic composition and bright color palette. Based in Alaska, Wild’s work feels dreamy and otherworldly. In a video on the Sony Alpha YouTube Channel, Wild gives advice stating, “The biggest two characteristics you have to have for wildlife photography are patience and respect. You need to have the patience to be able to spend days, sitting in a pile of snow, freezing, while you observe an animal. You also have to have the respect that you are in its environment. You are in its home. You are a visitor.” She took this shot with her Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master.

Melissa Groo – @melissagroo

Melissa Groo is a wildlife conservation photographer and writer as well as a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and an instructor with Summit Photography Workshops. Groo is a celebrated bird photographer, even serving as a contributing editor to Audubon magazine, and as advisor to the National Audubon Society on photography content and on ethics in bird photography. We love the grace and elegance with which Groo captures her subjects, due undoubtedly to the ethical nature in which she photographs. Read more about why she switched systems HERE.

Alexandra Surkova - @alexandrovich_yo

Alexandra Surkova is a wildlife photographer and videographer who shares her stunning wildlife imagery on Instagram and her YouTube Channel. She also leads wildlife tours, helping others create epic imagery as well. Her Instagram account is filled with gorgeous images of wildlife that show their personalities. We love this shot of a fox. Surkova’s primary camera setup is her Sony Alpha 1 with the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. Check out what else she brings in her camera bag HERE. 

Sebastian Kennerknecht – @pumapix

Conservation photographer Sebastian Kennerknecht has four values in his work: photographing wildlife, science, threats, and conservation. He combines these values in his photo projects to tell compelling stories of conservation. Kennerknecht is an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and on the Advisory board of Girls Who Click. Kennerknecht describes his work by stating, “my photography is my best tool for doing what I care about most, conserving and protecting wildlife in peril.” We love this stunning image of a lion under the pink and purple sky in Kafue National Park.

Karine Aigner - @kaigner

Photographer Karine Aigner began her career as a photo editor at National Geographic. She then transitioned to wildlife and conservation photography, where she has become well-known, winning many major awards. We love the image below of a Changeable hawk-eagle or crested hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus). Give Aigner a follow for more stunning imagery in your feed.

Morgan Heim - @MoHeim

Morgan Heim is a wildlife photographer and filmmaker and a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. She has dedicated her career to telling stories of wildlife and nature issues and presenting solutions. The post below shares work she did with Audubon magazine covering the story of the Northern Spotted Owl. She made a conscious choice to use infrared to lessen the impact of my photographic process in general. The story was shot on the Sony Alpha 7R III. Assistants illuminated subjects with an infrared flashlight that, while invisible to owls and the naked human eye, allowed Heim to prefocus her camera, which was modified to record infrared light and used infrared flashes.