Deena Sveinsson is a wildlife photographer from Colorado and specialises in photographing moose and 'all things bunny.' In 2022, she was shortlisted (Top 25) for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice Award.
How did you get into photography?
As a commercial airline pilot, I’d often travel with a camera in hand, and casually dabbled in wildlife photography. When I left the airline industry, I had time to become more serious about it. Living near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, it was a natural transition to become the wildlife photographer I am today.
Which image means most to you?
A few years back, I took a photograph of three bull moose playing in the water. People often disregard the fact that animals can have personalities and form strong bonds. Moose can also have a reputation for being aggressive and territorial. With this shot, I believe I managed to show moose in a unique light. I’ve won many photography contests with it.
- 14 powerful images from the Environmental Photography Award 2026
- See the first-ever photo of Africa's 'forgotten' animal
Which species have you found most challenging to capture?
Definitely the pika. These cute hamster-sized creatures are very speedy, live at high altitudes and camouflage well during the summer. Even with a camera that focuses quickly and has a high frame rate, I’ve had so many blurry shots, and images with part of the animal (or the whole animal) out of the frame. But I’ve doubled over laughing many times at these bundles of fun.
What species is still on your bucket list?
I’d love to photograph a very rare white moose, found in Canada and Scandinavia. These animals have a white coat, white velvet on their antlers and dark eyes, due to a recessive genetic mutation called leucism.
Have you had any epic fails?
I’d wanted, for a long time, to photograph a large bull moose crossing a river in the forest, but he was never anywhere near where I hoped. Finally, he did it. I knew where I needed to be and anticipated his movements. I pressed my shutter button, snapping away, so excited to finally get the shot. However, it turned out that the shutter on my camera had decided to fail at exactly the wrong moment, and I didn’t notice because I had it on silent mode.
What’s been your most memorable encounter with wildlife?
I’d been photographing a particularvsnowshoe hare one winter. She was used tovmy presence and would always pose nicelyvfor me. One day, she began to run up the mountain. I wasn’t sure I could make it up the steep incline and stopped. The hare stopped too, and turned around, looking at me as if to say, “Hurry up, human!” When I finally made it to the top, she showed me her new hiding spot. It felt very special.
- Clashing rhinos, laughing mountain gorillas and dozing polar bears – 13 astonishing, incredible wildlife photos from the 'Remembering Wildlife' book series
- Hyena with zebra head in jaws among 14 powerful images from close-up photo challenge
And your chilliest shoot?
My husband and I went to northern Norway to photograph mountain hares boxing. To get the shot I wanted, we needed to be in a hide at night, but it was drafty and uninsulated, and the temperature was extremely cold. For five nights, we bundled up and braved it. Finally, two hares decided to box in exactly the right place. It lasted for just 1.5 seconds, but I got the shot!
Have you had a close shave in the wild?
After a light snowfall in Grand Teton National Park, we found a group of about 20 moose in the sage flats. After a while, they decided to head towards the road to lick the salt off the cars. Lucky me – Hoback, the biggest and baddest moose, approached my fairly new car! At first he licked the doors and tyres, but then decided to spar with the hood. I didn’t feel safe trying to stop him. He left multiple scratch marks and moose drool all over the paintwork.
Any advice for budding photographers?
If you snap animals you’re passionate about, you can dive deep into their worlds and their personalities, and produce pictures that are extraordinary rather than ordinary.
What one piece of kit would you never be without?
A Garmin InReach GPS and satellite phone combination that allows me to communicate by voice or email. I hike, snowshoe and ski into areas that have no mobile phone coverage, often by myself. If something happens to me, I need to be able to contact the emergency services.
See more of Deena's work at deenasveinssonphotography.com
