Photograph red and fallow deer during the autumn rut at Richmond Park, with expert guidance on technique, fieldcraft and safety.About this Event
Photograph red and fallow deer during the autumn rut at Richmond Park, with expert guidance on technique, fieldcraft and safety.
Join Andrew Mason, the Wex Events Team and Sony at Richmond Park in London for an inspiring day of deer photography. With open grassland, ancient trees and woodland providing a beautiful autumn backdrop, there will be plenty of opportunities to capture striking wildlife images.
During the rutting season, the atmosphere changes dramatically. Stags become more active, bellow across the parkland, gather hinds and display their strength. This creates powerful photography opportunities, from environmental portraits in soft morning light to images capturing movement, behaviour and seasonal drama.
The aim of the day is to help you photograph wild deer safely and respectfully while developing your understanding of behaviour, atmosphere, composition and light. With expert guidance throughout, we’ll explore patience, fieldcraft and camera settings to help you create strong images without disturbing the animals.
Sony will be on hand with a selection of the latest cameras and lenses to borrow free of charge on the day. They will also have the new 400mm & 600mm lenses that were recently announced. So you have a great chance to test htis kit early. All camera system users are welcome—please bring your camera and a memory card if you would like to try Sony equipment.
Special Sony offers will also be available to attendees. Book your place and capture the drama of the autumn rut at Richmond Park.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE DEER RUT AT RICHMOND PARK
· Capture the drama, scale and atmosphere of the red deer rut within Richmond Park’s historic parkland setting.
· Use light, distance, background and behaviour to create images that feel natural, respectful and visually engaging.
· Develop confidence in photographing moving wildlife while maintaining a safe working distance.
KEY PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
· Red deer stags: portraits, bellowing, posturing, movement and interaction with hinds.
· Fallow deer: group behaviour, antler detail, colour variation and environmental portraits.
· Autumn parkland: mist, warm light, bracken, mature trees and open grassland.
· Behavioural moments: scent-marking, wallowing, grazing, alert poses and safe-distance interactions.
· Wider habitat shots: deer within the landscape, using space and scale to tell the story of the rut.
CAMERA TECHNIQUES
· Shutter speed: freezing movement during displays, walking deer and sudden changes in behaviour.
· Aperture choice: separating the subject from busy woodland or parkland backgrounds.
· ISO control: working in lower morning light while keeping shutter speeds high enough for wildlife.
· Autofocus modes: tracking moving deer and selecting the best focus area for portraits and action.
· Exposure compensation: managing dark deer against bright grass, mist or open sky.
· Composition: giving space for the animal to look or move into, while keeping the background clean.
BRING YOUR OWN KIT. ALL BRANDS WELCOME.
· Camera with charged batteries and spare memory cards.
· Telephoto lens, ideally 300mm or longer, to maintain a safe distance while filling the frame.
· Zoom lens such as 100–400mm, 150–600mm or similar for flexible wildlife compositions.
· Monopod or lightweight tripod if preferred for longer lenses.
· Weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear and neutral-coloured outer layers.
· Lens cloths, rain cover and a small packed lunch or flask.
FIELDCRAFT & SAFETY
· Deer are wild animals and can behave unpredictably, especially during the rut.
· Always keep a sensible distance and never approach stags, hinds or groups of deer.
· Move slowly, remain quiet and avoid blocking an animal’s route.
· Use longer lenses rather than trying to get close.
· Stay on public paths and open-access areas, following Richmond Park signage and ranger guidance.
· If a deer changes behaviour because of your presence, increase the distance immediately.
LOCATION
Address:The Royal Parks Limited. Richmond Park - Broomfield Hill Car Park, Broomfield Hill
London. TW10 5HS
Meeting point: Main visitor car park or agreed meeting point within Richmond Park, subject to final arrangements and park opening times.
Access: Parkland entry and vehicle charges will apply. Participants should check current Richmond Park access information before travelling.
TIMINGS
9.30am Meet at Richmond Park Bloomfield Hill visitor car park.
9.45am Safety briefing, fieldcraft guidance and camera setup.
10.15am Begin photographing deer activity, behaviour and environmental portraits.
11.30am Review first images, refine settings and discuss composition choices.
12.30pm Lunch break; please bring a packed lunch and flask.
1.15pm Afternoon session focusing on light, backgrounds, movement and storytelling images.
2.45pm Final practical exercise: building a short rutting-season image story.
3.15pm Debrief from instructor, questions and close.
You have the option to remain in the park after the course has finished, subject to Tatton Park opening times and access rules.
WEX OFFERS ON THE DAY NOT TO BE MISSED!
Event venue
Broomfield Hill Car Park, Broomfield Hill, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.