Amy is an American photographer, writer and speaker. She has published several books and her work has been featured in Smithsonian and Audubon.
- A massive wave capsized my kayak, leaving me stranded in waters known for great whites. Then something peculiar happened
- “My stomach lurched as the hippo drifted in our direction, only her pink, sweaty face visible – like a shark’s fin.”
When did you first become interested in wildlife photography?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved wild animals and telling stories about them. When I was nine years old, the family camera was placed in my hands and became my tool of choice for illustrating my stories.
Which of your shots is most important to you, and why?
That is such a tough question. For me, the most important images I’ve made are the ones that attract the attention of decision-makers, and that engage and inspire viewers and readers to conserve wildlife.
Is there a species you’ve found challenging to capture?
In Alaska, there are still places where you can see thousands of spawning wild Pacific salmon. The gathering is so dense it’s almost as if you could walk across the backs of the fish to cross the river.
It’s a spectacle of incredible abundance but is infuriatingly difficult to translate into an image. The salmon tend to just look like a giant dark blob in the water.
- David Attenborough narrates amazing BBC footage of grizzly bears hunting during the annual salmon run – one of nature’s greatest spectacles
- How do salmon make it upstream?
Which species would you love to photograph that you haven’t yet?
There are a few, but meerkats in the Kalahari Desert and bee hummingbirds are high on my bucket list.
Any epic fails you’d like to share?
There’s something about underwater photography that creates ample opportunities for failure. It’s as if half your brain dissolves beneath the surface of the water.
The first underwater Nikonos cameras were not single-lens reflex bodies, meaning you’d look through the viewfinder but you wouldn’t see what the lens was seeing. I’ve done entire photography dives, shooting away, with the lens cap still on.
Which of your encounters with wildlife has been most memorable?
There have been so many. Diving at 12m below the surface with two humpback whales barrel-rolling with me for 17 minutes was an unforgettable encounter. In fact, it was probably the best 17 minutes of my life.
What has been your most costly shoot in terms of time invested?
I’ve been fortunate in that most of my wildlife pursuits have been fruitful in terms of time spent versus species captured. It’s all about researching when and where to be, to have the best chance of seeing wildlife. But then creating powerful images is a whole different story.
Have you had any close shaves with a wild animal?
I once found myself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a huge male brown bear, both of us eyeballing salmon in a river.
Were there any shoots that felt risky or uncomfortable?
I once took a flight in a small plane. There was no door. Instead there was just a worn cotton clothesline across the opening.
I was secured in my seat with nothing but a frayed seatbelt across my lap, which had a skimpy piece of tape over the buckle. I have to admit, that wasn’t the brightest thing I’ve ever done.
Which one piece of kit would you never be without?
It’s a tie between tea and slippers. Those small creature comforts go a long way when you’re travelling.
Do you have any advice for budding wildlife photographers?
Shoot what you’re most passionate about, be authentic and ethical, and give back to the species you photograph.
We share the planet with at least eight million other species. What a lonely world it would be if it was just us humans roaming the Earth.
So, my advice would be to use your work to tell stories about wildlife. Stories have the power to shape public opinion and convince people to protect our non-human relatives.
See Amy's work at amygulick.com.
