Jonna Wood - Wildlife & Nature

Koti
Suomi
Turku
Jonna Wood - Wildlife & Nature

Nature , Wildlife and Travel Photographer. Nature Based Travel

03/09/2026

You’ve probably seen some images where a wild animal is surrounded or followed by way too many people and or vehicles and thought 💭 to yourself that that’s just horrible.

Most of the time we just see the gorgeous photos of wild animals by wildlife photographers or wildlife tourists, but what is not shown is the absolute circus of crowds that the wild animal experiences.
And of course this is not always the case, as there are also many responsible nature-based tour operators and caring nature photographers.

The really sucky part of these wildlife crowding tours is that they give the entire wildlife tourism and photography sector a bad name…aside of course from the obvious disturbance and abuse it causes to the wildlife and nature.
And though it’s never that black and white; actually responsible nature-based tourism can actually have a very positive impact on conservation, rewilding and attitudes towards nature it self.

My fear as a nature-based traveler would be to pay 💰 good money for a wildlife photography themed trip and end up in a situation where the encounters aren’t calm, respectful and kind to the wildlife or the photographer. I want to experience nature, not crowds that just want to get a sighting or a shot.

A fellow experienced photographer was just on a tour where this happened, so 👉🏼 I was inspired to put together a check list of sorts on how to make sure this doesn’t happen to you or me.

And so that we as a community constantly ask tour operators to Do Better!..,
as it is not only our hobbies and professions image that suffers, it’s also abysmal for our fellow living beings that we love to experience and photograph.

This is of course not a comprehensive list but I hope this post can help you ask the right questions before booking your next wildlife photo or nature experience tour.

Feel free to save & share.
And please comment with any additional questions you’d ask a tour operator to make sure Nature and good experiences come first, sightings and photos second.

31/08/2026

For a long time, large carnivore populations in Finland have been extremely low—verging on extinction—with hunting likely being the primary cause.

Now, however, populations are finally recovering, and sightings are more frequent than perhaps ever before. Partly due to advances in tracking devices, availability of technologies and Social media.

We are not accustomed to having large carnivores nearby on a large scale, even though they may once have been a common sight.
Though there are various reasons why it might even be natural for them to gravitate toward human settlements.

While it is understandable that they can provoke fear, it is more important to learn to manage and contextualize that fear against the actual risks they pose—rather than simply seeking to eliminate these animals from sight and nature based on fears and other strong emotions.
It should be more a matter of sense than sensibility.

Anyways, the bear 🐻 and I can smell the autumn 🍂 in the air and we’re hopeful and excited to be moving towards a more sensible world…one paw 🐾 at a time.

Wishing you a beautiful September, may it bring many peaceful and wonderful natural moments ✨ your way.

29/08/2026

Finland 🇫🇮 has every opportunity to dominate the global market in Nature-Based travel and tourism in a way that benefits the local economy, protection of species and natural landscapes/forests as well as the goals and dreams of global travelers.

That is, if we’re intelligent enough to seize the opportunity and have enough vision to see beyond what we’re used to.

Nature-Based tourism is defined as: “Responsible travel to experience natural areas and their landscape, flora and fauna, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life of locals.”

In 2025 around 35% of global travelers reported a growing interest in nature based tourism and that number is increasing as we speak. Many of these travelers will go to great lengths to witness natural phenomena and aren’t shy of spending to do so.

Especially in the recent years when the hunting of Finland’s megafauna was under strict restrictions 👉🏼 We started to finally actually be able to see nature in nature.

More wildlife and more nature in its natural state isn’t only great for the economy and have the potential to create more jobs. And it isn’t only better for nature and wildlife and nature and wildlife photographers. 👉🏼 It’s also a key element in building resilience to better cope with what the possibilities of climate change could throw our way.

So my wish as a nature and wildlife photographer and a nature-based tourism expert on this Finnish Nature Day is; that all of us camera toting humans and people who love nature in various ways keep joining our forces and building a brighter future for Finnish nature and the Finnish economy.

Hyvää Suomen Luonnon Päivää!

28/08/2026

Do you ever think how incredibly amazing it is to get to live in a world where bears 🐻 and other totally awesome wildlife share the nature with us?

Like how crazy cool is a bear!!
Is he even real or am I imagining things.
Sometimes I look at my wildlife photos and just stop in awe 🫢, not at the splendor of my work, but at the indescribable beauty of the animals I’ve been able to experience in the wild.

📸 Brown Bear Photographed in Eastern Finland 🇫🇮 with Nikon Z8 and Z400mm lens plus a 1.4x teleconverter.

27/08/2026

If you spend all your time worrying about the bees
you’re never gonna get a chance to taste the honey.
- Dolly Parton

📸 Red Admiral butterfly photographed 26th of August in Turku Finland with Nikon Z8 and Z105mm macro lens.

Hope you’re taking some time to taste the honey today💛!

25/08/2026

What happened in Hornøya that changed the course of wildlife tourism and nature photography on a Puffin nesting island on the Arctic Ocean…How was I involved, and what to consider if you’re interested in experiencing this remote and gorgeous seabird nesting island in the future.
☝🏼
That among other things is what my latest article in the Nature Photograph / Luontokuva magazine is about.

Exploiting a natural area like this by allowing too many visitors with too little supervision: is not the way forward.
But fully closings areas like this where nature is still abundant and near: is not the way forward either in a world where we’re constantly becoming more disconnected from our own home, nature.

This is a story of finding a balance. A way in which the animals, nature, community, locals and livelihoods can collaborate for greater good. It’s by far a perfect process, but it is a step in a better direction. I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves for 2027 and beyond.

If you are hoping to explore this area next year; the approved guide/travel provider process is on the way in Norway and yours truly is involved ☺️ So send me a DM with your info, email and preferred travel times and I’ll add you to the already long list of Hornøya visitor hopefuls for 2027 , and keep you posted once things have finalized and booking can be made.

🪶If you’ve been to Hornøya or read my article, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

22/08/2026

👋🏼 Hi I’m Jonna, good to see you!

My love for nature has always been with me and my interest in nature and wildlife photography started in 2008, almost 20yrs ago!! When I attended my first African Safari.

I love the type of nature photography and Nature-Based travel that put Nature and experiences first; photos second. And my wish is to build a community of like minded friends to share adventures with.

I’ve noticed that many nature photography tours tend to prioritize getting the shot in one way or another. And I suppose it’s natural if you’ve invested time and money to go get the shot…

I’d like to reimagine this scene a little bit. I’d love to take people on nature photography adventures where the primary goal is to really enjoy the full experience: have enough time to get immersed in the nature for the chance for a unique photo. To have enough time in the schedule to rest, connect with the locals and fellow travelers, to enjoy local cuisines etc.
More wholesome nature photography travels where nature comes first.

Why? Because after almost 20yrs of experience, studies and certifications in photography and nature conservation, and having served as the chair of the nature photographer’s Ethics Committee in Finland👉🏼 I’m confident that everyone benefits, including your photography, when we don’t just chase the most scroll stopping photo everyone else is chasing as well.

My ideal wildlife photo excursion can be near or far, and it’s typically exploring a place, learning it and receiving what it has to offer.

I also love food and trying to expand my world by experiencing the local people and cultures etc.

And as a side note, I love snorkeling 🤿, so the perfect trip would have that as an option too! 🦈

Anyways, thought it was time for a little introduction and the above is what I’ve been thinking about lately.

✌🏽I’m 46 year old Finnish-American Nature and Wildlife Photographer currently based in Finland but also call Florida 🇺🇸 home.

My work has been published in magazines and books and put to work in environmental organizations globally.

I also work in travel development and marketing as a day job and freelancer.

and I love dogs.☺️

13/08/2026

Partial Solar Eclipse as seen from Turku Archipelago Southwest Finland 🇫🇮 August 12th 2026.

Which capture is your favorite?

The eclipse began when the sun was still very bright around 8pm. As you can see in the first video from the location/behind the scenes.

I used my Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z400mm 4.5 lens without any filters (as I was not prepared, just a spur of the moment “hey it’s supposed to be clear and there’s an eclipse happening let’s go!”).

So I had my ISO all the way down, and shutter speed and apperture numbers all the way up at first.

The real magic started as the sun was setting around and after 9pm. The sun was setting as it was still partially eclipsed!🤩.

That’s when I was able to capture some scenery and colors too without completely blowing the sun out too much.

The videos are sped up between 5x and 10x.

What a cool phenomenon to experience, did you see it?
If not I hope you’ll enjoy it via this footage 🧡.

Osoite

Turku

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http://www.jonnawood.com/

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