10 tips for photographing foxes

You've no doubt seen them: all those photos of the cutest foxes. There are plenty of foxes in the Netherlands too; you just need to know where to find them and, of course, how to capture them well. We're happy to help you on your way with ten handy tips.

Tip 1: Go to the right location

If you want to go out to photograph foxes, it's important to choose a location where the animals live. After all, it would be a shame to arrive in a nature reserve where there's no fox to be seen for miles. Fortunately, the fox's habitat in Western Europe has grown steadily in recent years. You're most likely to come across a fox at the edge of a forest, in the dunes, or near fields and meadows, because foxes often look for food in these areas. Foxes also like sheltered spots. In the Netherlands, there are several locations where you're most likely to spot foxes, such as the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen, the Oostvaardersplassen and the Veluwe. Of course, there's always a chance you won't come across any; wild animals can't be directed, after all.

Tip 2: Use your senses

Once you're in a nature reserve, you still have to find the foxes. The best way is to look for fox tracks, such as paw prints and droppings. You can also look for earths, or fox dens. These dens are usually found in dunes, at the edge of a forest or near a tree stump. If the ground near a den is trampled flat and there are no twigs to be seen, there's a good chance a fox lives there. You can also use your nose: foxes have a sour, predator smell that can linger around the den. Once you've found an earth, you can set up your camera on a tripod, camouflaged, and hope a fox comes by.

Tip 3: Choose the right season

It's wise to choose the right season for photographing foxes. You're more likely to come across a fox in winter than in summer. That's because foxes mate in winter, so they're actively looking for partners. They also make more noise then, namely short, shrill barks, so you can follow the sound. Besides the greater chance of spotting foxes in winter, their coat is also at its most beautiful then: they have a gorgeous, thick winter coat.

Tip 4: Shoot at the right time

Foxes are mainly active at dusk and dawn, so just after sunrise or just before sunset. It's best to get up early and head out into nature to photograph foxes. If you set off later in the day, there's a good chance more people will be in the area and the foxes will have hidden. You can also go out in the evening, but then you run the risk of it getting dark quickly so you can't see anything anymore.

Tip 5: Always keep your camera at the ready

Once you're out, you could come across a fox at any moment. You might be taking a beautiful nature photo when a fox jumps out of the bushes or crosses the path. So always keep your gear at hand, because you need to be able to react quickly. By setting your camera to a fast shutter speed, you can press the shutter at any moment a fox appears in front of your lens.

Tip 6: Bring different lenses

Foxes can be far away, but also close by. When they're far away, a good zoom lens is no unnecessary luxury. But when they're close, a big telephoto lens isn't practical; then you're better off with a small zoom lens or even a 50mm prime lens. So be well prepared for every possible situation.

Tip 7: Shoot from the right perspective

Foxes are small mammals, not much bigger than a Jack Russell. When you capture a fox from your own eye level, it quickly looks very small. That's why it's best to crouch down, sit on the ground or even lie down. You then photograph the fox from its own perspective, which makes the image more impressive and beautiful. You can also choose to sit in a hide or camouflage tent, for example in front of a fox den, so you can set up your camera on a tripod at the right height.

Tip 8: Choose the right settings

When you go out at dusk to photograph foxes, there's often less light. Set up your camera for this in advance. With your aperture wide open and, if necessary, your ISO high, you can press the shutter straight away when a fox passes by. It's also handy to set a fast shutter speed, so your camera is quick enough to capture the fox. Before you know it, the fox is gone again.

Tip 9: Don't just take close-ups

Of course, a fox's face is fantastic to capture, but it's often also nice to capture the fox in its surroundings. You can take a beautiful nature photo of a fox in the dunes, the forest or the bushes. A photo that shows more of the surroundings often gives a more complete picture of the situation. This is also great for experimenting.

Tip 10: Always keep a suitable distance

Foxes may look cute and cuddly, but they are still wild predators. So never touch a fox: they can scratch and bite badly to defend themselves. Sometimes foxes are used to people and come closer of their own accord. In that case, ignore the fox as much as possible and definitely don't feed it; that's prohibited. Besides, you want your photos to be as natural as possible.

Share your result

All the photos in this blog were taken and submitted by @nancytells on Instagram. Have you also taken a beautiful photo of a fox? Then share it with us for a feature on our Instagram account. Use the hashtag #KameraExpress or tag Kamera Express in your post. And don't forget to follow us for plenty of inspiration.