CONGRATULATIONS girlfriend, I’m so proud for you! You’ve worked hard! You’ve practiced and put your time in, and it really happened… you harvested a spectacular animal that will feed your family! It’s a BIG deal and don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise! So, what now?! Well, take pictures of course! Let’s chat about some things to do and things to avoid when capturing memories of your harvest that last a lifetime.
After the thrill of the moment passes, there are things that need to be done; like take a photo.
The harvest needs to be field dressed and prepared for processing. But take a little time and capture the moment in a way that will be cherished for years to come! I hope one day my Great-Great Grandchildren look at my photos and think what a “Bad-A” Great-Great Grandmother was! Hahaha! No, seriously
Find an area that frames you and your harvest for the photo. An open path with overhanging trees, a pretty meadow, a corn field, or an old barn. Make sure the sunlight is in front of you, not behind you. This is a good article to take a picture on your cell phone.
And please always be respectful of the animal in your photo and photos.
It’s an honor and a blessing to have the opportunity to hunt and provide for your family, respect the moment, the life taken and the accomplishment. Plus, who needs internet trolls busting your chops if it’s not a respectful picture. I always have a couple of bottles of water with me to clean any blood that may be coming out of the animal’s mouth or nose, and always tuck the tongue into the mouth if it’s hanging out. You can poke a small hole in the water bottle lid and squirt it on the blood or go ahead and get your gutting gloves on and get to work cleaning it up for pictures. Prior to hunting myself, my husband and his buddies would show me their harvest pictures and I would say “couldn’t you at least stick his tongue back in its mouth?” And I know their wives and girlfriends felt the same way. So now when they go to take their pictures, they are mindful of it too.
Now, if you have read my previous article about scent control you know I avoid any and all scents possible when I am in the tree stand.
I don’t want to take any chances that my make-up will have an odor that may spook a big buck or a smart old doe and ruin the hunt. Plus, I am not a morning person so putting on make-up before the sun comes up just isn’t going to happen. But that doesn’t stop me from throwing my make-up bag in the truck “just in case” I’m blessed to have a successful hunt. Also, it feels like I’m telling the universe that I’m expecting to have a successful hunt. It may seem really girlie and that’s ok too, but I want to look my best for pictures recording some of my most exciting adventures. It’s usually just a quick make up job, a little lip color and mascara, but nonetheless I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed.
Now, if you have read my previous article about scent control you know I avoid any and all scents possible when I am in the tree stand.
I don’t want to take any chances that my make-up will have an odor that may spook a big buck or a smart old doe and ruin the hunt. Plus, I am not a morning person so putting on make-up before the sun comes up just isn’t going to happen. But that doesn’t stop me from throwing my make-up bag in the truck “just in case” I’m blessed to have a successful hunt. Also, it feels like I’m telling the universe that I’m expecting to have a successful hunt. It may seem really girlie and that’s ok too, but I want to look my best for pictures recording some of my most exciting adventures. It’s usually just a quick make up job, a little lip color and mascara, but nonetheless I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed.
All of this is a part of capturing memories in a photo of your harvest that last a lifetime.
Whether you took your animal with a bow, rifle, or shotgun, you may want to include it in the picture, adding to the story you are telling in the photos! Of course, for safety and picture purposes make sure the firearm is unloaded, the action is open, and the firearm is pointed in a safe direction. Check out all the important info we share about firearm safety while you are visiting the SLG site!
Best of luck this season! Aim small, miss small… and make sure to share your perfect harvest pictures with our Shoot Like a Girl team too! I’m cheering you on sister!
To read more about capturing photos of your hunt, read our article by Donna McDonald, Capturing the Essence of Your Hunting Trip with photos.
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