Taking Great Field Photos of your Ram

Wild sheep live in some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth—use it. Pull back and capture the country. Including dramatic ridgelines, alpine cirques, or desert cliffs gives your photo depth and context. It tells a story of a place and time you and your ram shared.

 Eric Tither / Marcus Hockett

Position the sheep as naturally as possible: legs tucked underneath and head up (if needed, use small sticks or rocks for subtle support). Avoid laying the animal on its side or presenting it in an unnatural, crumpled state. Sometimes, a chin flat on the ground is a great pose if the slope isn’t too steep. Take some with you in it and some of just your ram in tight. Treat ‘em like the monarch of the mountain that it is.

 Terence Mason / Keetin Daugherty

Take a moment to clean visible blood, close the mouth, and ensure the tongue isn’t hanging out. A respectful photo reflects your reverence for the animal. This small effort here can make a huge difference.

Joel D. Faestel / Jack Cail

Have you cameraperson drop down to the ram’s level or slightly below. Shooting from above flattens the image and diminishes the subject(s). Getting low helps the horns stand out and gives the photo a more intimate, respectful composition.

Ben Berukoff

Whether it’s tight curls or a flared broomer, sheep horns are the centerpiece. Skyline them if you can or position them against a non-busy background. Avoid letting the horns blend into your clothing or the terrain behind you.

Hud Horton / Brian Nelson / Kelby Fassiotto

Backpacks, rifles, optics-leave them just outside the frame unless you’re intentionally featuring them. Rifle or bow in hand or out front. Leaning them on the animal like he’s a prop is not always a good look. A clutter-free image keeps the focus where it belongs: on the sheep and the setting.