Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/10/08/photographing-the-brown-bears-of-finland/ # Tips for photographing the Brown Bears of Finland from hides Published on October 8, 2023 [![One Of The Female Brown Bears Wanders On The Edge Of A Lake Accompanied By Two Of Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-the-female-brown-bears-wanders-on-the-edge-of-a-lake-accompanied-by-two-of-her-cubs-1024x684.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-the-female-brown-bears-wanders-on-the-edge-of-a-lake-accompanied-by-two-of-her-cubs.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by [Johnny Södergård](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/johnny/). ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Pauses Within The Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Cub](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-pauses-within-the-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-cub.jpg) Photographing the [Brown Bears of Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland//) in their natural habitat can be an exciting & rewarding experience for any wildlife photographer. [Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland/) is among the best places to capture these imposing creatures in their natural environment, & using a hide is the best way to do so. ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Moves Through Cotton Grass With Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-moves-through-cotton-grass-with-her-cubs.jpg) Here are some tips for photographing brown bears from hides in Finland: ## Our Tips for photographing the Brown Bears of Finland from hides Taking pictures of the [Brown Bears of Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/brown-bears-of-finland/) can be a unique & thrilling experience. Here are some tips for making sure you get the best photos possible. With these tips, you will have a successful & memorable experience photographing the Brown Bears of Finland. 1. Research & choose the best hide: There are many [brown bear hides](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland//) available in Finland, & it’s essential to do your research & choose the best one. Factors to consider include the hide’s location, the distance to the bears, & the best time of year to visit. ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Moves Through Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-moves-through-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-cubs.jpg) ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Pauses Within The Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-pauses-within-the-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-cubs.jpg) ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Moves Through Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Solitary Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-moves-through-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-solitary-cubs.jpg) 1. Use the right equipment: A telephoto lens is necessary for photographing brown bears. A lens with a focal length of at least 300mm is recommended for capturing close-up shots of the bears. Lenses with f/2.8 will give the best light capture & speed of focussing. ![One Of Finland Female Brown Bears Walks Along The Edge Of A Lake Accompanied By Two Of Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-finland-female-brown-bears-walks-along-the-edge-of-a-lake-accompanied-by-two-of-her-cubs.jpg) A camera with high ISO capabilities & a tripod head that can mounted onto a shelf are also essential. 1. Be prepared for low light conditions: Brown bear hides are often in dark, wooded areas so lighting conditions can be challenging. ![One Of Finland Large Male Brown Bears Pauses On The Edge Of A Lake](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-finland-large-male-brown-bears-pauses-on-the-edge-of-a-lake.jpg) working in low light conditions requires adjusting your camera settings, such as using a high ISO, slower shutter speed, & opening up your lens aperture. ![One Of Finland Female Brown Bears Pauses On The Lake Edge Accompanied By Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-finland-female-brown-bears-pauses-on-the-lake-edge-accompanied-by-her-cubs.jpg) 1. Stay quiet & still: Brown bears are easily spooked by noise & movement, so it’s essential to stay as quiet & still as possible while in the hide. Avoid sudden movements & try to blend in with the surroundings to avoid scaring the bears away. ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Walks Through Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-walks-through-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-cubs.jpg) 1. Patience is vital: Brown bears are unpredictable, & there’s no guarantee you’ll see one during your hide session. It’s essential to be patient & wait for the bears to come to you. It’s also necessary to respect the bears’ space & not disturb them while they’re in their natural habitat. ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Takes Pause Within Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Cub](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-takes-pause-within-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-cub.jpg) In conclusion, photographing brown bears from hides in Finland is a unique & exciting experience that requires careful preparation, patience, & respect for the animals. By following these tips, you’ll do well. ![A Female Brown Bear Found In Finland Moves Through Cotton Grass In The Meadow Area With Her Two Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-female-brown-bear-found-in-finland-moves-through-cotton-grass-in-the-meadow-area-with-her-two-cubs.jpg) ## How many brown bears are there in Finland? It is estimated that there are between 1,500 & 2,000 brown bears living in [Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland/). This number is believed to be the most accurate estimate of the bear population in Finland since the bear population is constantly changing. The number of brown bears in Finland has decreased significantly over the last century due to human-related causes, including habitat loss & direct persecution. In addition, the [brown bear](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brown-bear/) population is threatened by genetic pollution, hybridization with other bear species, hunting, & climate change. Despite these threats, the brown bear population in Finland is believed to be stable, though it is still considered a vulnerable species. ![One Of The Male Brown Bears Walks Through The Undergrowth](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-the-male-brown-bears-walks-through-the-undergrowth.jpg) ![One Of Finland Female Brown Bears Pauses On The Edge Of A Lake Accompanied By Two Of Her Cubs](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-finland-female-brown-bears-pauses-on-the-edge-of-a-lake-accompanied-by-two-of-her-cubs.jpg) ## Which Photography Holidays Does NaturesLens Schedule for Photographing the Brown Bears of Finland? NaturesLens offers a range of [Brown Bear photography holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland//) designed to allow photographers of all levels to capture images of [Europe](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/)’s largest predator. These trips generally are conducted in June & July when the [Brown Bears](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brown-bear/) & their cubs are most active. Our photography holidays allow photographers to capture strong images of the [Brown Bears of Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland/) as they interact with each other, & traverse the forests. During some of our trips, photographers will also have the opportunity to photograph a wide array of other wildlife, including [wolverines](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/wolverine/), [wolves](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/wolf/), [White-tailed Eagles](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/), & more. ![One Of Finland Larger Brown Bears Pauses On The Edge Of A Lake](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-finland-larger-brown-bears-pauses-on-the-edge-of-a-lake.jpg) At NaturesLens, we aim to provide photographers with an rewarding experience that will leave them with beautiful, memorable images. Our trips are led by experienced wildlife photographers who are passionate about wildlife photography & are dedicated to helping photographers capture the best images possible. ![One Of Finland Brown Bears Pauses On The Edge Of A Lake](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/one-of-finland-brown-bears-pauses-on-the-edge-of-a-lake.jpg) **Related Trips:** [Brown Bears of Finland Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/brown-bears-of-finland/) **Explore by Country:** [Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland/) **Related Species:** [Brown Bear](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brown-bear/), [Common Raven](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-raven/), [White-tailed Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/) & [Wolverine](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/wolverine/) ## Share this post - - - - [![A Photograph From Alison Jenkins Which Demonstrates The Magic Of Dalmatian Pelican Photography 19](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/a-photograph-from-alison-jenkins-which-demonstrates-the-magic-of-dalmatian-pelican-photography-19-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/01/09/ethical-photography-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini/) ### [Ethical Photography – Respecting the Pelicans of Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/01/09/ethical-photography-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini/) January 9, 2024 In this article, we will shed light on the importance of good ethics when photographing the pelicans of Lake Kerkini,… - [![A Walking Red Eyed Tree Frog Photographed In Costa Rica In November 2025](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A-walking-Red-eyed-Tree-Frog-photographed-in-Costa-Rica-in-November-2025-300x225.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/20/costa-rica-photography-tours/) ### [Costa Rica Photography Tours – Small Group Wildlife Focused Travel](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/20/costa-rica-photography-tours/) January 20, 2026 Why our Costa Rica photography tours deliver consistent wildlife opportunities across rainforest, wetlands, cloud forest, & coast. Small groups, flexible… - [![One Of The Bald Eagles Stalls To Land On One Of The Beaches Found In Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-stalls-to-land-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday-300x225.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/04/02/bald-eagles/) ### [A focus on the Bald Eagles of Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/04/02/bald-eagles/) April 2, 2024 Discover the majestic Bald Eagles of Alaska in this captivating blog post. Learn about their habitat, behaviour, & conservation. In this article 1. [Our Tips for photographing the Brown Bears of Finland from hides](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/10/08/photographing-the-brown-bears-of-finland/#our-tips-for-photographing-the-brown-bears-of-finland-from-hides) 1. [How many brown bears are there in Finland?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/10/08/photographing-the-brown-bears-of-finland/#how-many-brown-bears-are-there-in-finland) 1. [Which Photography Holidays Does NaturesLens Schedule for Photographing the Brown Bears of Finland?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/10/08/photographing-the-brown-bears-of-finland/#which-photography-holidays-does-natureslens-schedule-for-photographing-the-brown-bears-of-finland) ### Author DM [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/wildlife-photography-holidays/) ### Related articles [![Macro Photography In Bulgaria](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Apollo-Butterfly-On-Purple-Thistle-Flower-1-one-of-the-subjects-on-our-Bulgarian-Butterfly-Macro-Photography-Tour-150x150.jpg) **Macro Photography in Bulgaria**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/02/20/macro-photography-in-bulgaria/) [![Dalmatian Pelican Photography – Winter Small Group Photography In Greece](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/a-trio-of-the-dalmatian-pelicans-of-greece-drifting-on-the-waters-of-lake-kerkini-150x150.jpg) **Dalmatian Pelican Photography – Winter Small Group Photography in Greece**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/27/dalmatian-pelican-photography-in-winter/) ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. [Join The List](https://natureslens.co.uk/newsletter/)