Master storyteller, videographer, and photographer Mark Smith takes us on a journey in Florida to photograph Roseate Spoonbills, Egrets, Herons, and Ospreys. Marks commentary and stunning, pin-sharp images make this an enjoyable video to watch even if you’re not into bird photography.

Mark not only narrates the story behind the photos, but he elaborates on details about the wildlife. His knowledge of the subject not only enables him to tell the story better on a verbal level, but it also helps with his photography. Knowing how the birds eat their catch helps him know when to be prepared to take the photo at just the right time.

This knowledge of a subject is vital for effectively executing a shoot regardless of your genre of photography. Knowing your subject is the key difference between merely taking a photo of your subject and taking a photo that tells a story about your subject. Whether it’s wildlife, a person, or a product, the more you know about your subject, the more you’ll be able to take photos that reveal the details about that subject — the details that tell a story.

I appreciate that Mark also includes the camera details of many of his shots. If you’ve never watched Marks videos, make sure you do so, you won’t be disappointed.