The Ethics of Game Farm Photography: A Critical Look and My Values

Capturing the Essence of Wildlife: A Heartfelt Reflection

It was a harsh, cold, snowy winter when I was in the midst of an intensive photography program. Part of my assignment to graduate was to complete my portfolio on wildlife. All images submitted were to be taken within the past three months. No previous images of wildlife were permitted.

A Painful Dilemma

Grizzly bear and black bear were deep in hibernation, the chances of seeing a mountain lion was near impossible, and the bull elk were rooted in the forest, and the snow was deep that year. How was I going to complete this assignment? I heard of a game farm a couple of hours away that advertised you could take photos of arctic fox, wolves, tigers, mountain lions, black bears, and grizzly, among other wildlife. I put a call into them, and they happily allowed me to photograph one animal, but at a premium price. My choice was a grey wolf. After all, what were the chances of seeing one up close in the wild?

A Painful Realization

Driving up to the game farm, I was excited. I’d never been to one before and had no idea what I was in for, but I was going to get the best wolf photo to add to my portfolio. I arrived at the game farm at my scheduled time, which was mid-morning. The staff greeted me, and I was asked to wait for the other group to arrive. There was a group of six cinematographers and photographers who spent the morning photographing tigers and bears. I was escorted along with the group down the dirt road and into a large fenced-in area. I chatted with a few others in the group and found out that this was their third or fourth time at the game farm. I was intrigued. We entered another fenced-in area where the wolves were located. Naively, I thought the wolves would be in a large open field area, doing what wolves do. Well, that thought quickly vanished as I saw the cages, so many wolves kept in one pen, pacing back and forth and howling.

A Change of Heart

As one trainer guarded the group, the other trainer asked us what kind of picture we wanted. The group unanimously agreed on a wolf peering around a birch tree. The trainer threw large pieces of meat at the wolf, enticing him around the towering birch trees. Again and again, the wolf was coaxed around the tree so the group could capture their images. I brought two cameras with two lenses and quickly interchanged both trying to get as many photos as I could for my portfolio. After a few minutes, the black wolf was put back in the cage, and a grey wolf emerged. The ritual repeated, don’t bend down, stay quiet, and the wolf was fed meat to perform for the group.

A New Perspective

While the group members appeared enthusiastic, I was uncertain about my own feelings. As I drove home, a sense of unease grew in my stomach, leading me to question my own ethics and values and consider the type of photographer I aspired to become. What was my takeaway from this experience?

A Turning Point

After a few days, I worked on editing my wolf images before submitting them for my assignment. The assignment received great feedback, but I had a sense of unease. The wolves had been confined in cages just so I could capture the perfect shot. They were lured with food and trained to pose at specific times and places. It was at that moment that I made the decision not to include those photos in my professional portfolio, feeling that I had betrayed both the animals and myself. Nevertheless, I have chosen to share these images with you as a constant reminder of how wild animals are exploited daily for the sake of photography.

Raising Awareness

When exploring the internet, you may come across remarkable wildlife pictures like a Siberian tiger frolicking in the snow, a grizzly bear emerging from the forest, or a mountain lion perched on a rock. The use of game farms raises concerns regarding the authenticity of a photograph and the well-being of the animals. Despite the controversy surrounding them, game farms are frequently utilized by filmmakers and wildlife photographers in pursuit of that rare and exceptional shot. Just like game farms that provide animals for hunting, photography game farms make captive wildlife available for photo opportunities. With the wildlife photography field being highly competitive, it is important to reflect on the ethical implications and alignment with personal values when considering photographing captive wildlife in a game farm.

A Redemptive Encounter

Many years later, on a trip to Yellowstone National Park, I came across the Wapiti Lake Wolf Pack and had an unforgettable experience simply watching them without a camera. These magnificent creatures were moving freely in their native environment, without any restrictions or pressure for entertainment. Listening to the wolves howl in their natural surroundings is genuinely thrilling. I recommend visiting this stunning park to witness and observe animals in their natural habitat.