After all the time and energy spent honing your fishing skills and waiting out in the harsh elements for something to bite, you’ll want to walk away from your fishing trip with something to commemorate your victory. Whether it’s your first success, an impressive trophy-sized fish, or just a family excursion you never want to forget, snapping a photo when you catch a fish is a beloved tradition for anglers of all kinds.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to get a fishing picture worthy of your home wall. Check out these five tips to help you take photos of yourself and your fish that you’ll want to show off for years to come!
1) Handle the Fish Carefully
Remember, the welfare of your catch should always take precedence over the perfect photo. Handling the fish carefully and efficiently is crucial to increase its chances of survival upon release, ensuring a responsible approach to fishing and photography.
If you choose to keep the fish in the water, that’s the best option. However, if you prefer to stay dry or capture your shot on the boat, it’s important to handle the fish correctly. Avoid touching the gills, squeezing the body too tightly, or covering the fins. Instead, hold the fish gently but firmly, gripping from the bottom. Once you’ve taken your photo, promptly release the fish.
2) Position the Sun Behind the Camera
Shooting your camera directly at the sun will cast a shadow over the entire photo, turning you and your fish into a silhouette. Make sure your photographer (or your camera if you’re taking a selfie) is positioned in front of the sun so that it shines on you and your fish.
At midday, when the sun is the highest in the sky and most direct, you can use a flash to help minimize shadows. The flash can also be useful if you’re wearing a fishing hat to help combat the shadows it might cast on your face.
3) Get the Background in Your Photo
It’s important to focus on the subject of the photo as well as the background scenery. Including some context in your fishing photo can help you remember the location, weather, and people you were with that day. This will allow you to relive the entire experience when you look back at the picture.
However, you do want to get rid of any clutter that doesn’t add to the story your photo is trying to tell. Position your shot so that random objects, such as a backpack, water bottle, fishing net, the bottom of the boat, etc., don’t distract from you, your catch, or the background worth remembering.
4) Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
As reliable as the “grip-and-grin” shot of you holding your fish is, don’t be afraid to branch out and try something a little more unique after the first catch or two! For example, shooting from low in the water or on higher ground can produce a more artsy photo.
Or, if you’re working with a quality camera (and not just a smartphone), try using a macro lens to zoom in on the details of the fish. You can also have pictures taken of other aspects of your experience, such as reeling in the fish, preparing the tackle box, or releasing the fish back into the water.
5) Have Your Camera at the Ready
As you get yourself situated when you first go out on the water, make sure your camera is easily accessible. Some of the best shots are ones you need to get at a moment’s notice, which means you won’t have time to dig through your bag to find it!
You should also remove your camera and let it acclimate to the environment. When you first pull it out from your bag into the hot, humid air, condensation will likely form on the lens, and you’ll have to wait for it to dry (so you don’t blur it). Sudden temperature changes can also slow your camera down, so you must allow time to adapt to the air. Just make sure wherever you place it for easy access, it’s somewhere it will remain dry.
Located on Reindeer Lake, Lawrence Bay Lodge offers guests access to some of Saskatchewan’s most impressive trophy fish. Our surroundings, with their unique and diverse wildlife, provide a backdrop for unforgettable photo opportunities. Explore our online gallery to see our fishing experiences in action and get inspired for your own unique shots.
Ready to embark on your guided Saskatchewan fishing trip? Call (701)262-4560 and we’ll take care of the rest. It’s that simple to secure your spot for a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience!
