Hayden Dumaw is a self-taught photographer based in North Carolina. Since discovering wildlife photography in 2022, it has become his biggest passion – consuming nearly all of his free time and giving him a profound sense of purpose. “It’s what excites me to wake up each day and has completely changed the course of my life,” he explains, “driving me to explore the natural world at every opportunity. What began as a creative outlet during college quickly evolved into a deeper pursuit: a way to connect with animals and share their beauty with others to inspire appreciation and conservation. Since then, I’ve carried my camera from sweeping savannas to mountaintop landscapes and even to vibrant underwater worlds, always chasing the chance to witness wildlife in its element.”
Unlike many wildlife photographers who specialize in a single niche, such as birds, underwater, safari, or macro, Hayden likes to take a broader approach, capturing wildlife from all walks of life. “The reason is simple: I love it all. Every type of wildlife fascinates me and, although I’ve tried many times, I just can’t limit myself to a single area. What excites me most is creating images that feel magical, often with soft backgrounds and glowing light that highlight each subject’s presence in the wild.”
Ethics are at the heart of his work, so whenever possible, he uses long focal lengths to give animals plenty of space, capturing authentic behavior without disturbance. “This respect ensures wildlife remains undisturbed in their own world while allowing me to share their beauty in its most natural form. The gear I carry is purpose-built for wildlife photography, both on land and beneath the waves. From fast, reliable autofocus to lenses that bring distant subjects into stunning detail, my Sony equipment allows me to capture the magical images that define my style.” Keep reading as he shares what’s in his kit for ethical wildlife photography, both underwater and above.
Shop This Kit:
Cameras: Alpha 1 II, Alpha 7R IV
Lenses: 600mm f/4 G Master, 200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G
Accessories: TOUGH SD & CFexpress Type A Cards, VG-C4EM Vertical Grip, 1.4x Teleconverter, NP-FZ100 Batteries
Cameras
Alpha 1 II (Buy Now): This is my favorite camera to shoot with. Its speed, pre-capture technology, and unmatched autofocus make it a game-changer for wildlife. Features like animal and bird eye AF dramatically increase my success rate, allowing me to capture moments that would otherwise be impossible – such as perfect eye contact during fleeting encounters. With its impressive megapixel count combined with blazing performance, it’s the camera I rely on most when photographing fast-moving subjects in unpredictable conditions.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 7R IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/800-sec., f/6.3, ISO 160
Alpha 7R IV (Buy Now): The Alpha 7R IV earns its place in my bag thanks to its high-resolution sensor paired with reliable autofocus. This combination allows me to crop heavily in post without losing detail — a huge advantage in wildlife photography. Whether I’m working with distant animals or smaller species, this camera delivers sharp, detailed files that give me incredible flexibility. It’s currently my dedicated body for underwater work and one of my two main cameras for wildlife above water.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 7R IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/2000-sec., f/6.3, ISO 1000
Lenses
600mm f/4 G Master (Buy Now): This is by far my favorite lens for wildlife. The image quality is nothing short of stunning, and its relatively low weight for its size allows me to shoot handheld for extended periods without fatigue. The bokeh is simply unmatched, creating the creamy, magical look that has become central to my artistic style. Thanks to the f/4 aperture, I can also continue shooting deeper into the day when light begins to fade. The sharpness is so strong that I can crop extensively while maintaining image quality.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 1 II. 600mm f/4 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/4, ISO 1250
200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G (Buy Now): The Sony 200–600mm was the first lens I ever used for wildlife photography, and it remains a vital part of my kit. Its flexibility is what makes it so valuable – allowing me to adapt quickly when subjects move unpredictably or when I need less than the reach of a 600mm prime. It’s also more practical for travel where I have to pack lighter and smaller. With great autofocus and versatile range, it’s a dependable lens that balances performance with portability.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 7R IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/500-sec., f/6.3, ISO 800
Accessories
TOUGH SD and CFexpress Type A Cards (Buy Now): Fast, reliable and built to last – these cards give me complete peace of mind in the field. Their speed ensures I never miss a frame due to buffering, and their durability means my images stay safe no matter the conditions I’m shooting in.
VG-C4EM Vertical Grip (Buy Now): These grips make each camera far more ergonomic – especially for vertical shooting – while also doubling battery life. Having two batteries in use at once means fewer interruptions, letting me stay focused on wildlife behavior instead of worrying about power.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 1 II. 600mm f/4 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/4, ISO 250
1.4x Teleconverter (Buy Now): When I need just a little more reach, I pair this with the Sony 600mm f/4 GM. It extends focal length with virtually no sacrifice in autofocus performance or image quality, making it an invaluable tool for photographing distant wildlife.
NP-FZ100 Batteries (Buy Now): I always carry extra batteries to ensure I can shoot across multiple cameras for an entire day with power to spare.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 7R IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/800-sec., f/6.3, ISO 400
Underwater Camera Housing: An essential piece of my kit for underwater photography, this housing keeps my Sony camera fully protected and functional beneath the surface. It allows me to bring the same level of creative control I rely on above water into an entirely different environment.
Rocket Air Blaster: A small but essential tool I keep in my bag for quickly clearing dust or debris from the front element of my lens — and even from the sensor in a pinch. Lightweight and reliable, it’s one of those accessories I never leave home without.
Photo by Hayden Dumaw. Alpha 1 II. 600mm f/4 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/4, ISO 320
Microfiber Cloth & Lens Spray: Packed together in a small pouch, this combo is invaluable for keeping my lenses spotless in the field. Whether it’s saltwater spray, fingerprints, or dust, it ensures I can maintain clear glass and get the sharpest images possible.
See more of Hayden Dumaw’s work on Instagram @haydendumaww, TikTok @haydendumaw and at haydendumaw.smugmug.com.
