The right equipment, the right technical skills, the right place, the right time: for wildlife photographers, they all make for a good start. But there’s something more that makes a photograph really sing. Whatever that is, Andy Raupp has it.
Not that he would say that. Raupp says he first took an interest in bird photography when he picked up a camera in his mid-20s (his parent’s old Nikon D50, a 4 megapixel DSLR with a 70 to 300 mm lens) in 2018. “I had no idea what I was doing. I would say my first year I was basically just trying to photograph whatever I saw. But then I took one nicer photo, luckily, at a park. It was of a bluebird and it was snowing, and I thought, ‘Well, this is kind of neat.’ It encouraged me to learn more about composition and lighting. Then a family friend who is a bird photographer lent me a spare camera which was quite an upgrade, that I used for a few years, which really helped.” In 2021, he moved with his parents from Illinois to a rural property in Montello, WI, and invested in the set-up he uses now. “It’s a Sony camera with a 200 to 600 millimeter lens, so it zooms out really far, which has made it possible to get photos I couldn’t get before.”
He figures he’s still on a learning curve: not only about the camera, but also about the birds and other wildlife he photographs. “I’ve really gotten into the conservation part of it, learning more about species and their habitats and behaviors.”
Although he has always cared for animals, he hadn’t anticipated that wildlife photography would become such a major focus and passion at this point in his life. As a recent graduate from Northern Illinois University, he had been headed toward a graduate program in Physical Therapy when a traumatic brain injury changed his plans. For now, his health and continued recovery mean that photography outings are relatively local and close to home. Fortunately, in this case, “close to home” is pretty wonderful. His family’s 50-acre property in Montello (not far from Madison) has oak woods, swampy areas, ponds, and—thanks to their efforts and participation in a USFWS cost-share program—a 3-acre prairie restoration. “We’re working on adding another 2 acres to the prairie restoration this fall,” says Raupp.
“My dad and I, in particular, are always working on little habitat improvement projects. Since we moved here, we’ve tried to remove some invasive species that were taking over, and plant more native stuff. We’re trying to attract new and more wildlife, or make it better for what is here.” Their efforts have already attracted the attention of wildlife. “It’s been really nice to see all kinds of birds and butterflies and bees and other pollinators,” says Raupp, “and we’re really excited for this summer. This is year three of the prairie restoration, when they say the native plants should really take over and mature a bit more.”
He’s grateful that his photographs have also been attracting a fair amount of attention, with publication in Birds & Blooms magazine, a feature photo in a calendar produced by The Nature Conservancy, a first place award in Bird Watching Magazine’s Bird Portrait Contest, and (in 2023) runner-up in the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin Photo Contest. People also get in touch through his Facebook page and website. “It’s been neat to hear from people who have seen my photos and reached out, who say they have found some joy from them,” says Raupp.
What does he look for in a photo, that tells him it’s a good one? He laughs. “Good question. I guess I like to challenge myself. I think I started out trying to get a nice, sharp photo of certain species. But as I’ve progressed and photographed more things in our area, I’ve looked beyond that, like finding something interesting in the spruce tree the bird is perched on, or whether the hummingbird is on a native flower.” He especially likes to photograph birds and wildlife when it’s snowing, which calls for a faster shutter speed. “It’s one of my favorite times to go out; I think it adds something extra.” Blinds have enabled him to get images of more skittish birds—like kingfishers—and wildlife interactions he might otherwise have missed.
Looking to the future, he envisages inviting others to enjoy his family’s land and its wild inhabitants. “Something I’ve been working towards, with the help of my parents, is someday opening up our property, running workshops and having other photographers out here and nature enthusiasts who’d like to see the projects we’ve done. People could enjoy the good photographic opportunities they might not otherwise have.”
When that day comes, those visitors will be in luck to encounter not only the wildlife they will see, but also the generous spirit and immense talents of Andy Raupp. For now, Agate is thrilled to be able to share this selected gallery of his photographs with our readers.
Please find more of Andy Raupp’s work (and information on how to purchase prints, notecards or use of his photographs) on his website. Photographs in this story provided courtesy of Andy Raupp, all rights reserved.
