Interview with wildlife photographer Alex Pansier

Alex Pansier is a Dutch wildlife photographer and Sony ambassador. In 2021 he sold his e-commerce business and has focused on photography full-time ever since. In recent years Alex has travelled to several Arctic regions to photograph polar bears, arctic foxes and other wild animals. He has already won several awards, including an honourable mention at the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Awards for a photo of a squirrel flying through the air like Superman.

Alex tells us all about his passion for wildlife photography, which of course produces fantastic images, but can sometimes be quite thrilling too. And naturally, Alex also shares some handy tips in case you want to try wildlife photography yourself.

“I’m not a so-called species hunter. For me, it’s about the image I can create with an animal. I love portraying an animal in an abstract or slightly surreal way.”

First time out in nature

When Alex started photographing in 2018, it was a hobby alongside his internet business. “I worked in a hectic world where you always have to be ‘on’, because something could happen day or night. Photography was my way of unwinding.” At first he mainly shot urbex: abandoned, often derelict buildings. “I soon noticed it didn’t make me happy. They’re often depressing places.” Thanks to a photography club, Alex discovered nature photography. Together with a fellow club member he spent a day photographing in nature. “We shot from a photo hide. It was the first time I’d gone out into nature to take pictures.” They had been sitting in the hide for a while when a goshawk landed nearby. “Seeing a bird of prey like that up close was really special. It was a genuine wow moment.”

Alex has been hooked on wildlife photography ever since. He lives close to the woods and loves heading out there. “At some point I became curious about what else I could photograph. Wolves in Poland, for example, or arctic foxes in the snow.” That’s how his passion for travel was born. In recent years, the Sony ambassador has travelled extensively, mainly to Arctic regions.

Minimalist and moody

Before Alex sets off, he researches the area and the animals he might encounter. “When I visit a new country for the first time, I often join a photo tour. That way you get to know the best spots in an unfamiliar place.” Besides research, he’s always trying to keep learning. “I watch a lot of YouTube videos and I’m always trying to improve.” Alex takes a critical look at his own work and tries to do a little better each time. “You really progress in small steps. That’s also how you gradually develop your own style.” Alex describes his style as minimalist and moody. Many of his photos are shot high key or low key, which adds to the minimalist effect.

Alex says he has no preference for specific animals. He’s just as happy photographing mammals and birds as insects. “I’m not a so-called species hunter who tries to capture every rare animal. For me, it’s more about the image I can create with an animal. I love portraying an animal in an abstract or slightly surreal way.” For his photos, Alex has travelled several times to snowy regions. These places offer plenty of peace and space, giving him the chance to photograph wild animals in a minimalist way. “I love places with snow. The white landscapes and beautiful textures really appeal to me. I enjoy capturing an animal in a white landscape like that.”

Photographing in Arctic regions

He admits that photographing in Arctic regions can be quite nerve-racking. “Once, in Norway, I ended up in a snowstorm. Absolutely everything was white.” He was riding through the storm on a snowmobile with other photographers, but it was snowing so hard that he could no longer see the person in front of him. “The road was white. The sky was white. You have no idea where you’re going. That was pretty intense.”

Alex hasn’t had any tense moments with animals yet. “I try not to let it get that far.” He once travelled to Svalbard to photograph polar bears. Alex explains that different bear species react differently to people. “You have brown bears, black bears and polar bears. As long as you stay calm around a brown bear, nothing will happen. If necessary, you can still scare off a black bear. But if a polar bear spots you, you’re in big trouble.” So photographing polar bears, even from a distance, is quite exciting.

“Of course we kept a safe distance from the polar bears, but just to be sure, the snowmobiles were facing away from the bears. If needed, we could drive off quickly.” In the end, the polar bears couldn’t care less about the people on the snowmobiles. “They had just caught a reindeer and were busy enjoying their meal.”

Flying squirrel

Besides photographing Arctic animals such as polar bears and arctic foxes, Alex also loves shooting in the woods in the Netherlands. In fact, he took the photo of the flying squirrel in the Maashorst nature reserve in Brabant. “It just goes to show you don’t have to travel far to get a great shot.” He knows the spot well and was well hidden in a photo hide for this picture. “When you’re sitting in a hide like that, you just have to hope a squirrel jumps or walks right in front of your lens.” This time luck was on his side, and he captured a squirrel that seemed to be flying through the air like Superman. The comical photo earned an honourable mention at the Comedy Wildlife Awards. “Getting an honourable mention like that is a real thrill.”

Alex enjoys entering photo competitions because they keep him sharp and challenge him to look critically at his work. “As you can see, the squirrel photo isn’t really my style. It’s still minimalist, of course, but there’s more colour in it. It stands out from the rest. That doesn’t make it any less fun, of course.”

Alex points out that not every day ends with an award-winning photo. “Sometimes you’re out all day without taking a single picture.” Recently he went out with a friend planning to photograph bearded reedlings, a bird species. You guessed it: they didn’t come across any. Next they went to a spot where Alex had previously photographed a tawny owl. No luck there either. Finally, they searched for a black woodpecker, and didn’t see one of those either. “In the end we were out all day without taking any photos. That can be frustrating, but on the other hand you need days like that to figure out which animals are where.” He explains that sometimes as many as ten days go into a single wildlife photo. “A photo like that evolves; you don’t make it in one day. When you review your photos after a day of shooting, you see what could be better. When you return to the same spot the next day, you keep that in mind. And so, step by step, you work towards the best possible shot.” Of course, this is only possible if you have the luxury of spending a few days on it. “Sometimes you’re only in one place for a short time, which can make it tricky, but if you have a beautiful nature area with wildlife nearby, it’s perfectly doable.”

Always prepared

Alex always has his camera ready when he heads out. “I also check my settings regularly while I’m walking. For example, when I’ve just entered a forest, I always quickly check that everything is set correctly.” By setting his camera to a fast shutter speed, among other things, he’s never caught off guard when an animal suddenly runs or flies past. Thanks to the knowledge he has built up in recent years, Alex can create the right moments. “I usually know where the animals are and where the sun rises. With that kind of knowledge, you naturally have a better chance of capturing a special photo.”

Tips

Feeling inspired and want to capture a special wildlife photo yourself? Then be sure to read these tips from Alex.

1. Prepare well. “A good wildlife photo doesn’t just happen; a lot of preparation goes into it. For example, it helps to know where the animals live in a nature area and where the sun rises. You can also read up on the animals themselves.”
2. Stay open to the unexpected. “Of course it takes some adjusting when you set out for one animal and come across another. But I recommend staying open to it. Who knows what special encounter awaits you.”
3. Be creative. “Wildlife photography can take you in many directions. In the beginning I simply documented animals on camera. Now I try to be more creative, artistic and original with my images. Don’t be afraid to think differently from others and work creatively.”
4. Just get started. “Even without expensive gear you can take wildlife photos. You really don’t need the most expensive equipment to take a good wildlife photo.”
5. Keep learning. “When you photograph animals, it’s important to keep learning. You can’t just create a fantastic image or find an animal out of nowhere. You need to see it and develop a feel for it. That applies to everything, of course, but keep it in mind.”

The work of Alex Pansier

Website: www.alexpansier.com

Instagram: @alexpansier

Gear

For his photos, Alex uses Sony gear exclusively: the Sony Alpha A1 with various Sony lenses, including Sony’s 70-200mm lens.

Alex’s photos

Curious to see more of Alex’s work? Here’s a selection from his portfolio: