As a photographer, I explore a lot of gorgeous places. It is my responsibility to treat those places with respect and to hold my clients to the same standard. The goal is to leave the gorgeous location with no trace of human evidence. So let’s talk about how we can leave no trace as a photographer:
- Pack it in, pack it out! Leave nothing behind, and that includes bouquet pieces that may break off, glitter, garbage, etc.
- Leave it better than you found it. If we see trash that other humans left behind, then will pick it up and pack it out as well! (Pro tip: carry an empty grocery bag with you ready to pickup any trash)
- Stay on marked trails. Especially in National Parks! There are often areas that are being rehabilitated or treated, and those areas need to be clear of foot traffic to thrive.
- Don’t feed any wild animals… even if they’re cute.
- Don’t tag specific locations on social media, if those locations do not have a fee to enter. Use tags like “Tag Responsibly – Keep the West Wild”. If there is a fee to enter, like a National Park, then tag the general name of the park and not the specific location where you were.
- Be considerate of others enjoying nature.
- No open flames or campfires unless you’re in a designated camping area.
- Research every location before shooting and if a permit or day pass is required, make sure to purchase one!
Leaving no trace as a photographer can seem simple… because it is! We want to keep Mother Nature beautiful and let her thrive in all of her glory.
Sometimes a gentle reminder is all we need to leave no trace 🙂
Ready to make some art and explore the earth while still letting her stay beautiful? Let’s get something in the works
