Photographing Estonia’s Wild Heart: Expert Tips from Marko Poolamets

Estonia is a country where wildlife-rich forests, quiet bog landscapes, and a striking Baltic coastline all sit within easy reach of one another, making it an unusually practical and rewarding destination for photographers. With our new Estonia Photo Tour, we’ll be exploring these varied environments at a pace that allows for real observation, early-morning encounters, and thoughtful landscape work. Leading the way is local photographer Marko Poolamets, whose deep knowledge of the region helps us access places and species that many visitors never see. Below, Marko shares his perspective on what makes Estonia special and what photographers can look forward to on the trip.

All images by Marko Poolamets

What makes Estonia a good destination for photographers?

Estonia has heritage landscapes, primeval forests, swamps, bogs, and natural riverbeds – habitats for many rare species of animals and birds. We have nearly 400 species of birds and around 75 species of mammals. There’s a lot of habitat variety within small areas, which means you can photograph throughout the entire day without traveling long distances.

Human population density here is among the lowest in Europe, so the landscapes feel very “clean” from a photographic perspective. The country is small (250 km by 300 km), so distances are short and we don’t spend much time in the car. Alongside nature, we also have a meaningful layer of cultural and architectural subjects that often add extra depth to a photographic story.

In terms of wildlife encounters, what can people expect?

Our trip focuses on birdlife and wildlife. By mid-May, most migratory birds have arrived and nature is waking up from winter. It’s the beginning of the nesting season, which means plenty of activity.

We expect to see many species of birds of prey – owls, white-tailed eagles, goshawks, sparrowhawks – as well as waders, cranes, storks, and a variety of forest birds like finches, tits, and thrushes. During the boat ride, we should see seabirds such as gulls and ducks, large bird colonies on uninhabited islets, and from the mammals, grey seals and, if we’re lucky, ringed seals.

Back on land, I expect encounters with European elk, roe deer, brown bears, raccoon dogs, badgers, beavers, hares, and maybe even a weasel.

Can you describe a favorite animal or place to photograph in Estonia?

Oh, the love of my life is owls! I have a lot of experience with Ural, pygmy, and boreal owls. I’m lucky to live in an area where these species are relatively common, so the chances of seeing them are good. Of course, it’s nature – cold winters and changes in rodent populations influence the possibilities each year.

Among mammals, I always enjoy meeting elk and seals. And for landscapes, I love Estonia’s northern coastline, with its limestone cliffs and moody sea, especially during the autumn storms. But honestly, pointing out specific species feels unfair. I enjoy and appreciate every natural encounter.

What might surprise people who don’t know much about Estonia?

The amount of wilderness, especially compared to much of Europe, and the number of species. It’s a clean, safe country with friendly people. Very European, and also technologically advanced. People often have the misconception that we’re a former Soviet country still emerging from the past, but that’s not accurate.

A personal note: we didn’t become independent in 1991 – we restored our independence after almost 50 years of Soviet occupation. And we speak Estonian, not Russian; culturally and linguistically we are much closer to Finnish.

Who should join this trip?

Anyone who is a photography enthusiast and enjoys exploring different photographic possibilities and genres – landscape, macro, wildlife, and culture / architecture. Someone whose goal isn’t only to get as close as possible to a subject, but who also sees opportunities to photograph it within its environment. A sub-theme during the tour will be the relationships and changes within habitats, environments, and species.

What will people learn during the trip, photography-wise?

How to prepare for wildlife photography, and how to adjust camera settings for different situations. I can help with specific challenges – for example, how to photograph lightning or work with backlighting. And photographers of all levels can join, as I can help beginners get comfortable with the basics. I used to teach photography for years at the Tallinn Environment Education Center.

What equipment do you recommend?

A telephoto zoom in the 150–600 mm or 800 mm range. If you prefer a fixed lens, then 400 or 500 mm with a 1.4x teleconverter works well. I personally use either a 200–600 mm or a 400–800 mm lens and find fixed telephotos a bit inflexible in many situations.

I suggest that people bring their preferred macro lens, and a normal zoom (24–70 mm or 24–105 mm) that is convenient and works in most situations. I also recommend bringing a wide-angle lens. I often use a 15 mm Irix lens for landscapes, as it offers more flexibility, especially in tight locations.

About the Estonia Photo Tour

Our Estonia Photo Tour is designed for photographers who want to experience one of Europe’s quietest and most wildlife-rich landscapes in the company of a local expert. Over the course of the trip, we’ll explore forests, bogs, remote islets, and the dramatic northern coastline, combining early-morning wildlife outings with thoughtful landscape sessions and cultural touches along the way. It’s a chance to slow down, observe, and capture a side of Europe that still feels wonderfully untamed.