A graduate of the University of Maine, Mary Gregor protects and preserves the natural environment through her role as trustee of the Meadows and Mountains Trust in Amity, Maine. In addition to her work with the trust, Mary Gregor enjoys canoeing, hiking, and photographing wildlife.

Encountering wildlife in nature can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and capturing the moment with a camera requires skill and practice. Here are a few tips for taking better wildlife photos:

1. Keep the background simple. Many of the most striking wildlife photographs feature the subjects in front of stark backgrounds. By using this concept of “negative space,” you let the animal command the viewer’s full attention.

2. Use your body as a tripod. Although a tripod is a standard accessory for most photographers, animals in the wild rarely stay in one place long enough for you to set one up and attach the camera. Instead, experts recommend using your body as a tripod: plant your lower body firmly into the ground, positioning your right foot perpendicular to the lens direction and angling your left foot slightly to the right.

3. Consider the light. As with all outdoor photography, a wildlife photographer has limited control over the lighting conditions. While you obviously will not have the time or space to use elaborate lighting equipment, a variable off-camera flash or a handheld LED light can make all the difference between capturing the shot and losing it to the shadows.