By Kate Cunningham, (hopefully) former zoo photographer turned wildlife photographer
A few years ago, I never would have guessed that I’d be making a name for myself in wildlife photography by working for a zoo. Or that my reputation would take off because of one perfectly-timed shot: a lineup of five dignified giraffes—and one rogue monkey hanging upside down, photobombing the moment. I stared at the picture for a long moment. It needed a punchline. And one came to me: The relative no one talks about.
That post went viral.
Then came the otters. A pair floating belly-up in perfect symmetry, paws clasped together. Relationship goals: Clingy but adorable.
And my personal favorite: a lone tortoise staring wistfully at a flock of flamingos. When your invite gets lost in the mail.
Being a zoo photographer has taught me so much. I’ve learned how to take really, really good pictures of animals. I’ve learned to observe. To understand animal behavior. To wait patiently for the right shot. The best moments came when I stopped forcing the shot and let the animals show me who they were.
I have loved being a zoo photographer. Every second of it.
But I’d hit a ceiling. There was only so much I could capture within zoo gates.
Then came the most amazing, unlikely curveball. A National Geographic editor saw me at work, struck up a conversation, and dangled an opportunity in front of me like a carrot. “If you can capture a truly unique shot in the wild,” she said, “I’ll consider running it.” The photograph she wanted: A famous grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park.
Just me, my camera, and a bear who—if all went well—wouldn’t mind posing.
My boyfriend, Oliver, couldn’t have been more excited. Maybe too excited. Within hours, he was studying GTNP and researching the habits of this particular grizzly bear like he was the photographer on assignment. That’s Oliver for you—well-meaning, enthusiastic, and overly helpful. Honestly, I wasn’t sure whose name would end up on the photo credit.
Oliver wanted to come with me. But this trip wasn’t about us. It was about proving to myself that I could do this. That I could step out of my comfort zone, leave behind the predictability of zoo schedules, and capture something truly wild.
And maybe I needed a little space from Oliver, too.
So here I was. I had to pinch myself to believe it!
Grand Teton National Park had been on my bucket list for years. No rolling foothills to ease you into the view—just jagged, snowcapped peaks ripping into the sky, their reflection cutting across glacier-carved lakes. The kind of mountains that don’t just sit on the horizon—they own it.
I arrived last night and by sunrise, I was already at Snake River, setting up my camera to capture wildlife coming to drink. No enclosures, no fences—just raw, untamed wilderness. I was framing the perfect shot of an eagle when a voice cut through the morning air.
“Off the riverbank.”
I turned to find a ranger watching me, arms crossed. Rugged, tanned, and looking at me like he didn’t miss a thing.
“Why?” I bristled at his abruptness. The whole point of coming here was to draw closer to the animals.
“Once the sun rises,” he said, “the snow melts fast. The water level rises even faster.”
But then he helped me move my equipment to an even better vantage point. One where I could get the shot and stay dry.
Okay, fine. Maybe he wasn’t so bad.
“Thanks,” I said, adjusting my lens.
“Name’s Coop,” he added before heading off down the trail.
I watched him go, thinking he was kind of cute.
Not a bad start. If I can get the perfect shot of that magnificent grizzly, this trip will be worth every second.
And if not, it’s back to the zoo.
- END -
Pictures taken by Suzanne Woods Fisher at GTNP
National Parks Summers #1
A Wholesome Romance
Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she's spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: if Kate can snag a unique photo of the legendary Grizzly Bear #399 in Grand Teton National Park, they might publish it. It's the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she's eager to prove herself in the wild.
With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn't as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain--and the bears--better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. But they're not the only ones with an interest in Grizzly #399. Someone else is on the bear's trail, and his motives are far from innocent.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher kicks off her new contemporary romance series with a thrilling adventure that invites readers to follow their instincts, confront their fears, and believe in something bigger than themselves.
Romance Contemporary | Christian [Revell, On Sale: May 6, 2025, Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9780800745318 / eISBN: 9781493450572]
With over 1.5 million copies sold, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of over 30 books, ranging from novels to children’s books to non-fiction. She is a Christy Award finalist, a winner of Carol and Selah awards, and a two-time finalist for ECPA Book of the Year. She writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. Suzanne lives with her very big family in northern California.
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