I suggest you do a search of the INTERNET and see what famous wildlife photographers are actually wearing. I searched Google Images for “famous wildlife photographers in the field” and couldn’t see anything in particular that stood out as a “uniform for wildlife shooting” except the guy in this link who is wearing very little.
The first thing is to identify what functions you want from the clothing you wear while shooting wildlife, definitely not what the shooters of the past wore.
You should prioritize the functions listed here adding any special ones you need and identify how you are in practice going to achieve them.
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Functions of Wildlife Photography Clothing
Protection from Climate
This is a complete issue on its own that is not going to be expanded on here as it’s really individual both from the point of view of the environment and the individual’s response to the heat, cold, humidity, and wet.
However, it is vital on extended trips and especially when they include overnighting in the wilds that you are dressed appropriately. As well as what you wear when you leave you should have a pack that covers all conceivable changes in weather with alternate and replacement clothing. Also, make sure that this can be kept totally dry.
Protection from the sun is just as important as protection from the cold so hats and sunglasses are musts. Maybe baseball caps, which you will see in the majority when you look online, aren’t the best head protection.
Utility for Photography
Wearing cargo pants and or a loadbearing vest are a great help for the effective storage of all the bits and pieces needed while on the move or over a long period of waiting without movement. From memory sticks to lenses, batteries to filters, drinking water to snacks, and portable phone to torch.
Have a t-shirt printed with a block of 18% grey to allow you to set your white balance wherever you are. If you always wear an undershirt why not have them all printed – that would be dedication,
Blending into the Environment
While photographing particularly shy and skittish animals it could be necessary to wear camouflage clothes. Buy these from shops that have authority such as army surplus or hunting shops, not fashionwear where the camouflage could be for fashion and not function.
Hopefully you don’t need a Ghillie Suit
Comfort and Usability
Buy clothes that are suited to the particular demands of spending long periods of inactivity and silence – things like easily removable jerseys and adjustable belts. Look at dressing with layers of clothes so that it’s not all or nothing and you can adapt to the change.
Boots or shoes are vital if you are going to have an enjoyable hike. This is personal as although most prefer heavy large boots there are those who prefer trainers for more agile negotiation of rough surfaces. Covering ankles and shins, like the lion killer at the start, could be prudent if there is a risk of scrapes and cuts or if snakes are a problem.
Also, look at the particular environment and adapt before settling down to wait. Why wear those heavy boots needed to move through the marshes when you are settling down in a comfortable hide. Take off the boots and put on your favorite lounging footwear.
Color and Fashion
You don’t want to waste photographing time wondering and worrying about the colors and fashions. It’s worthwhile noting that this is not a big issue amongst most wildlife photographers.
Just try to keep away from too bright and obvious colors.
The smell of Clothes
This sounds a bit weird but animals have very sensitive senses of smell. So don’t go into the wilds smelling like a perfume factory with the potential of chasing everything you want to photograph away.
With respect to your clothing use natural soaps and detergent to ensure that your clothes have fresh and natural odors and are not detectable as foreign by the animals you are photographing.
More articles you may like to read –
What kind of camera do I need for wildlife photography?
Is Mirrorless Better Than Dslr For Wildlife?
Best Camera For Bird Photography? What To Look For?
Special Needs
Certain types of wildlife photography may require special clothes.
- Gumboots or waders would be necessary to photograph small animals in rivers, lakes, or dams.
- Snowshoes could be necessary in pursuit of photographs of those animals living above the snowline if you are the extreme type. Here you will also need warm gloves. Hybrid mittens/gloves which bare your fingertips to work controls while still covering the top of the fingers are a good tech choice.
- Wet or dry diving suits to be able to photograph standing or swimming in cold waters