Wow, look at this photo! Here I am relaxing at the top of a 12,000 foot mountain in the wilds of the Sahara desert. Ok. Ok. Maybe not 12,000 feet and maybe not the Sahara.

But I am relaxed. Which brings up one of my first rules of great animal photography. Relax. Slow down. Smile.

See? When you relax and slow down you are in the moment and able to capture it all with one of the best tools ever invented…your camera.

That's what I've been doing for many years as an animal photographer. Along the way, I've written and photographed Llamas; Woolly, Winsome and Wonderful, worked with animal breeders around the country on ad campaigns, had hundreds of my photographs published in magazines, books and posters, and conducted "how to" workshops on animal photography. It's all been fun!

Which brings up another rule for great animal photography. If you are not having fun, try something else. Because…whatever you are feeling when you snap that photo will transfer into the photograph. Really.

Stick with me here. There's lots more….