We reached out to Jiří Švestka, a photographer from the Czech Republic and the author of a stunning owl photo featured in this list, to learn more about his inspiration for pursuing wildlife photography and the beginnings of his photographic journey. We found out that: “Since I was a little boy, I’ve been connected to nature, growing up in the Czech countryside. I often accompanied my dad on his hunting trips, which deepened my love for the outdoors. This passion led me to study at the Forestry School, bringing me even closer to nature. From there, it was a natural progression to start taking photos—first with an analogue camera, and later with my first SLR camera.”

When asked to describe the most memorable encounter with wildlife while on a shoot, Jiří shared with us: “One of my most memorable encounters took place in 2022. My girlfriend and I, both birders, were visiting a site in search of little ringed plovers when a shadow suddenly flickered across the sky—a bird speeding by at high velocity. I quickly grabbed my camera and managed to capture a few shots. Although the photos were mainly documentary, they later revealed that we had witnessed a peregrine falcon in the midst of a hunt. It was my first encounter with this incredible bird, and I’ve only had one other chance to see it since, at a different location. The experience was truly unforgettable.”

The Czech photographer told us more about the biggest challenges he faces when photographing animals in their natural habitats: “The biggest challenge I face in wildlife photography is preparing myself in a way that allows me to capture the best and most beautiful images without harming nature or disturbing its inhabitants. To achieve this, I use various camouflage accessories and photo covers, and I even built a floating photo cover.”

Jiří continued: “The second biggest challenge is educating people. During my photography travels, I often witness people behaving in ways that show little respect for the laws of nature. They act inappropriately and often fail to understand that their presence can disturb the animals, potentially leading to the abandonment of nesting sites and irreversible harm to the young.”

Lastly, we were curious how work as a wildlife photographer changed Švestka’s perspective on the natural world. We learned that: “The answer to this question is closely related to the previous one. Wildlife photography has led me to study the laws of nature and, in particular, animal behavior more deeply. For example, I began visiting falconers who keep birds of prey and owls to better understand these fascinating creatures. I also joined the Czech Ornithological Society, which sparked a greater interest in birding and encouraged me to spend even more time in nature. I now spend a lot of time outdoors with my family, often without a camera, and I strive to share the beauty of the natural world with others through my photos and videos.”