"Nature photographer seeks dreamboat" – how to find your perfect match.

Shooting wildlife photography from a kayak is a little like dating: it can be totally frustrating if you're incompatible, or tremendously rewarding if you've found the perfect match.

A kayak will definitely boost your success as a photographer by providing greater stealth, range and accessibility to remote areas. Some of my best images would not have been captured without a boat. However, few boats are well-suited to the needs of a serious nature photographer. Finding the right one can be a daunting task, but by developing a scorecard of essential features, it's possible to sort out the contenders from the pretenders in the search for the perfect nature photography craft.

My list of essentials in a boat begins with stability. If your objective is to achieve tack sharp images, camera movement is your worst enemy. A boat that rocks whenever you move a muscle will quickly frustrate you as you watch your subject bob in and out of the viewfinder through your telephoto lens. You can compromise in some areas of your kayak scorecard and still live with the result, but stability is not one of them. If possible, set up your camera and take some pictures while test paddling the boat to get a true sense of what to expect in the field.

Of nearly equal importance is gear accessibility. The standard advice is to protect photography gear in dry bags or Pelican™ cases while paddling. In my experience, that philosophy will leave you fumbling to unpack your camera as the wolf trots into the woods, the moose lumbers out of the water, or the owl watches you for a moment then glides away.

To truly maximize success, your camera needs to be set up on a tripod, right in front of you in the boat. Yes, there is a risk. However, in an ultra-stable boat, in calm water and using reasonable awareness and precaution, the risk is quite manageable and the payoff is significant. I've spent hundreds of hours on the water with thousands of dollars of camera gear exposed without incident. I do recommend you always stow your camera gear before entering and exiting the boat, and when rain is imminent. And…make sure you have insurance that will cover a mishap!

A very open cockpit is a prerequisite to using a monopod or tripod in a kayak. Ideally, the boat should accommodate moving the tripod slightly forward to facilitate unrestricted paddling, then easily sliding it close when photo opportunities arise.

Weight is another consideration for your scorecard. A john boat scores very high in stability and gear accessibility, but I wouldn't want to carry one while bushwhacking to a remote area. Sometimes a photo opportunity requires carrying your boat farther than you actually paddle it. If the boat you're considering is available in a lighter weight lay-up, give that option some serious thought. I've never been on a long portage, loaded down with camera gear, wishing I had the extra money back and a heavier boat on my shoulders. A lightweight boat is used more often and will motivate you to get back into those hard to reach wildlife-rich areas.

A last thought on selecting a boat for wildlife photography. Though you're searching for the perfect water based photography platform, a kayak is still, above all, a means of transportation. It must be fun to paddle. If the boat meets all of the other criteria, but paddles like a log or zigzags more than an NFL running-back, it will take the joy out of your photography outings. And regardless of how serious you are about nature photography, when it comes to shooting on water, getting there is half the fun!

I spent many months pouring over kayak statistics, dimensions, reading reviews and scrutinizing ads in search of the perfect craft. Besides taking the edge off my paddling withdrawal during the long Wisconsin winter, my research helped point me to Native Watercraft. The Ultimate™ 12 looked good on paper, but once I paddled it with my camera set up, I knew I had chosen well. The ideal boat for wildlife photography, it is incredibly stable, accommodates my tripod beautifully and is easy to carry. It's been both a valuable tool for my photography business and a fun kayak to paddle!

Put your own scorecard together and start checking out kayaks.
See you on the water!

--John Van Den Brandt