Birder and photographer Jean Brislance is carrying on a legacy

Kirsten Wisniewski | April 8, 2024

Subscribers of WTIP’s Stay Tuned newsletter have seen countless photos of birds submitted by listeners. The most prolific bird photographer of WTIP’s contributors is Jean Brislance. While Brislance does photograph other animals, as well, his specialty is birds.

Brislance told WTIP, “I’ve always been fascinated with birds, basically, ever since I could walk and talk. And part of the appeal of bird photography, I think is the challenge of it. You know, birds are an uncooperative subject, they could care less if you get a good photograph or not.”

Beyond a general interest in his subjects, Brislance said that photographing birds is personal for him. His father, David Brislance, was also a birder and photographer, whose photos were included in a number of scientific and regional publications. For Brislance, photographing birds is carrying on his father’s legacy.

Ruby throated hummingbird. Photo by Jean Brislance

Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Jean Brislance

While getting a good shot of a constantly moving subject can be a challenge, Brislance said that a big part of his process is also based in research. He said, “I think one of the most important things about bird photography almost has nothing to do with bird photography, but just learning about the birds themselves.”

For folks looking to get into wildlife photography, especially birds, Brislance recommends a camera with a good zoom lens, and getting to know the space they’re shooting in.

Brislance submits photos to WTIP frequently, and said that he has come to love bird photography. He said that he appreciates it as a creative outlet, and stays motivated by feeling attached to the process. He said, “I guess what inspires me it’s, you know, part of it, helps me feel connected to my dad again.”

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with bird photographer and WTIP photo contributor Jean Brislance about how he approaches photographing birds.