Josef Stefan is a wildlife photographer from Austria. His work has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year – People’s Choice.
- Fierce, majestic – and built to kill – The world's biggest and mightiest birds of prey
- The weirdest bird nests on the planet – including a 2-tonne giant and one bound together with spider webs
How did you get into wildlife photography?
I’ve been taking photographs since I was 16. However, 30 years ago, my focus shifted towards nature. I became aware of how fragile our wild world is, and I wanted my pictures not only to capture beauty, but also to encourage people to treat nature more mindfully.
Which of your shots is most significant to you?
A shot called Flying Rodent, which won the People’s Choice Award for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026. The photo depicts an Iberian lynx in a playful moment, practising its hunting skills, but also symbolises the survival of this fascinating species.
The Iberian lynx was on the verge of extinction in the 2000s, but thanks to conservation efforts, there are now more than 2,000 in Spain.
Which species have you found most challenging to capture?
Birds of prey, which in Austria are extremely shy and will react to the slightest disturbance. The imperial eagle, which breeds near my home, is particularly challenging. Getting any shot of it requires perfect camouflage, absolute stillness and endless patience. If you make the tiniest movement, it will flee instantly.
Which species would you love to photograph, home or abroad, that continues to elude you?
My dream is to photograph a polar bear in Svalbard. It would be truly special to capture this impressive and iconic animal in its natural habitat.
Do you have any epic photography fails to share?
Yes. I was working in Spain and had been waiting for ages to photograph a genet. As dusk fell, the cat briefly emerged from its hiding place. I had everything poised and ready, but I’d forgotten to remove my lens cap. Before I knew it, the genet had vanished. That was my biggest flop, a huge missed opportunity!
What’s been your most memorable encounter with wildlife?
A trip to the bird island of Hornøya, Norway. Around 100,000 seabirds breed there, and they have virtually no fear of humans. You can get incredibly close to them, right in the middle of the action. I was getting some nice portraits when a white-tailed eagle appeared from nowhere.
Thousands of birds took flight simultaneously from the steep cliffs, filling the sky. The collective take-off, rush of wings and sheer dynamism of the event was simply overwhelming. I was so captivated that I completely forgot to take any photos.
What’s been your most costly shoot in terms of time invested?
I once spent an entire day trying to photograph courting great bustards. I was in my hide before dawn and couldn’t leave until it was dark, to avoid spooking them. I didn’t see a single bird.
What’s been your most physically challenging shoot?
I wanted to photograph ibex at first light, from the top of a mountain in the Austrian Alps. But that required me to climb it and spend the night in a hut near the 3,100m summit.
The trek took about six hours and involved very difficult terrain, including traversing glacier fields, in freezing conditions. The altitude, the cold and the physical exertion were extremely tough – but all worth it in the end.
What one piece of kit are you never without?
My binoculars. They are the first step to every successful photograph.
What’s your one piece of advice to budding wildlife photographers?
Be patient and respect the animals. You can’t force anything; good photos often result from taking time. Give your subjects the space to behave naturally and calmly.
See more of Josef’s work at josefstefan.at.
