Erin

Erin Ranney, a wildlife cinematographer with extensive global fieldwork experience, shares insights into her preferred camera equipment for capturing animal behaviors while respecting their natural environment. “QUEENS has been this amazing chance for me to grow as a camerawoman and to get my hands on tools I probably never would have otherwise.” - Erin Ranney, wildlife cinematographer @e.ranney

I’m excited to share a “first look” of our film doing the festival rounds. We filmed this about 4 yrs ago. Its not commissioned (not commercial), completely self-funded and was, and still is, a true passion project. Sara wrote the description: “In My Alaskan Journey, wildlife camerawoman Erin Ranney explores four unique areas of Alaska’s coast, revealing stunning landscapes and iconic wildlife along the way. Guided by Alaska’s history, her family’s stories, and her own memories, Erin’s journey weaves the past with the present, and paints a hopeful future for the land and wildlife of coastal Alaska.” I’m so grateful for everyone who helped with this project, our AMAZING team and my family for sharing their stories and making this project possible. I cannot thank my family enough, especially my parents and my aunt and uncle. Big thanks to @jack_j87 for bringing this to life (from filming to editing to producing to more). To @saraofthewild ,Kris Ranney, @willnphoto , @rowanaitchison , @tvcameragirl and @jasonsching for their stunning filming on this. To @brownbeats for the beautiful music and sound design. To @brighty_dit_editor for her incredible color work. To my sister, @alexan.ranney , for her amazing script work. To Wills Brown for his awesome editing work in the last stages. To @jstearnsderulo who believed in it from the start and helped with development. To @augustisland for helping last minute when we were looking for footage of Pebble protests and letting us use a couple of his clips. To my former elementary teacher, Mr. Archer, for recording the narration in his studio. And to every person who encouraged and helped us over the years- watched cuts, read over scripts and more. This was filmed in the homelands of the Eyak, Lingit Aani (Tlingit), Yup’ik/Cup’ik and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq). For thousands of years these ecosystems and this land has been protected and cared for by these communities. And I am grateful to be a guest on these lands. I encourage everyone to support local indigenous led groups in these areas like @unitedtribesofbristolbay and @defendyakutat who continue to work to protect these areas.

Photos by the @girlswhoclick workshop attendees It was a very busy weekend with two Girls Who Click workshops and a public talk at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. A few years ago I did a workshop here and only four girls signed up after pushing hard for registration and outreach for months. This year couldn’t have been more different- in less than 48 hours we were filled up with over 50 girls registered and on the waiting list, we had to take down registration and open a second workshop. This makes me so excited about the younger generation coming up and how excited and passionate they are about the outdoors and wildlife (even early on their weekend). A huge thank you to our amazing team at Girls Who Click for organizing this weekend, the wonderful folks at the Refuge who volunteered to help and gave educational talks, led the walks and helped me set up and to @katiegunterphotography @mugsie_b @samanthalynnm_ and my mom (on Mother’s Day!!) for all volunteering to help. Here are some awesome photos from the workshops this weekend by the girls who took part in it. I’m so proud of them- so many jumped on my and Sam’s cameras and lenses from their cell phones taking photos (even though it might’ve felt scary and expensive) and adjusted settings and experimented with the framing. For some of the workshop attendees, it was their first time holding a DSLR. Others have been shooting a while and have big trips and ideas planned. We also saw so much wildlife in a short period of time- make sure to check out the Refuge if you’re in the area. If you have the capacity, I would love for you to consider donating to the Girls Who Click nonprofit in order to continue our free programmin. It would mean the world to me and the team! Go to the link in their bio, every dollar counts. I’ve also been doing a lot of public speaking lately in the last month and have decided to open up three additional slots for FREE talks to Title 1/low income area schools for the 2026/2027 school year. I went to a low income public school that didn’t have the funding to bring in professional speakers and I really want to make sure any kid has the chance to attend these... Continued

From frozen snowscape to fancy dress, from polar productions to pretty parties, from awkward chicks to award chicks...however you want to say it, we can do it all! This behind the scenes footage from Secrets of the Penguins is from three different shoots, where we (@helen.hobin , @e.ranney , and @saraofthewild ) got to film our penguin stars in some pretty harsh environments. While the penguins have their finest plumage on all the time, we have to come prepared with boots, bulky coats, and plenty of sunscreen. We love filming in challenging environments and getting to experience wildlife in the far corners of the Earth, but we also love the chance to get dressed up. Growing up, it often felt like we had to fit into one of two categories: being "girly" or being a "tomboy." But we are all multifaceted humans and we can express our kaleidoscope of sides all at once - outdoorsy, feminine, tough, and gentle. We don't have to choose, we can just be. So after shedding our practical field clothes, it's fun to get sparkly, put on some dresses, do our hair and makeup, and enjoy our more glamorous sides! P.S. no penguins were approached or disturbed during filming, but some curious ones came to check us out! Song is "Dracula" by JENNIE and Tame Impala

BAFTAs with some pretty great people @natgeo @talesmithtv What a fun night with our nomination for 'Photography Factual' for 'Secrets of the Penguins'💃🏼 Attending with @irish_camera @martooniorama @ruthr2015 @serena_daviestv @saraofthewild @helen.hobin @josh.tarr.ii and Pete

Happy 5 year anniversary to the Wildlife Camerawomen Community group! Five years ago we started this community. It’s been so amazing to see the growth within the community and the way individuals have lifted each other up. We’ve worked really hard to get over the rhetoric that pushes women and other minority groups against each other (the ‘scarcity mindset’) and instead hopefully created a place with knowledge sharing and support. We are proud that this group celebrates each other's work and achievements, and supports each other through difficulties of the industry. This year we have decided to celebrate with our rising leaders in the community. It was hard to select just five, so many different people have stepped up in different ways. We'd love for you to celebrate with us by commenting and sharing about a person who has impacted your life or career, whether a mentor, friend or collegue. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Episode 5 is the final chapter of my time on SafariLIVE, where I lived in the Maasai Mara and learned how to direct live TV. (Episode 4 is Part 1 of this story, so if you haven’t watched it yet, please do.) Of all the stories I’ve shared so far, this one was the clearest to tell, but the toughest to unpack. It’s my longest episode yet, and I hope you can hang tough until the end. It’s worth it. 💫🌍❤️ #MakingOfAProducer #Episode5

Filmed for @natgeo @wildstarfilms for 'Queens.' @john_shier and I followed along and filmed as the cubs learned to navigate the big bear world from mom. It was a really fun episode to work on together. #Repost @natgeoanimals ・・・ Step into fishing lessons with a family of brown bears 🐻 The mother shows her cubs the ropes as they learn to hunt for salmon before the cold sets in. Each catch brings them closer to independence. #StepIntoWonder

Throwback to an old photo with my friend and bear biologist @joyerlenbach in Katmai. I'm very much looking forward to a different kind of Katmai adventure this summer with Joy and company 🐻 🐻 Now that I've almost wrapped up supplies and gear for the barge for our camp in Bristol Bay for 6 weeks, it's time to focus on this adventure! 📷 By @phoebefitz

Very excited to share that @natgeo @talesmithtv 'Secrets of Penguins' has 3 nominations for the 47th News & Documentary Emmy Awards! Best Nature Documentary Outstanding Sound: Documentary (Survival of the Smallest) Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary (Heart of the Emperors) Proud to have worked on the 'Rebels' team with @ruthpeacey @marinaehui @robinsmithtv , the amazing Australis crew, @mattaeberhard @martech_falklands , Murrell Farm Falklands And very proud of my good friends @saraofthewild and @helen.hobin on Emperors 🫶🏼

I'm excited to be leading another @girlswhoclick FREE workshop for teen girls interested in Wildlife Photography and Filming on May 10th at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in WA. You do not need to have any experience to attend one of these workshops! This is a welcome, learning friendly environment. Sign up at: /2026-workshops/ We do have limited spaces so please only sign up if you will be able to attend or let us know if plans change.

Last night we had our final film fundraising screening with 'My Alaskan Journey.' I can't believe it's been seven years since we were out filming this and I will always remember it as one of my favorite filming times- the support, the joy and love from my friends and family who worked on it and supported it. It was amazing to explore family stories and other parts of Alaska and bears again that are outside Hallo Bay. Though Hallo Bay is beautiful and amazing, it's where most of my shoots are and I'll always have that itch to see different areas. I will never be able to explain the joy of being dropped off in a bush plane in a new area to get to know the wildlife (especially bears). I haven't made anything off of it (the opposite actually), but I'm so proud we've done fundraising screenings for the areas and animals we filmed as a way to give back- Alaska Wildlife Alliance , United Tribes of Bristol Bay, the Cape St. Elias Lighthouse Association, Defend Yakutat. I'm grateful to the team that filmed it for being so supportive of giving back as well. Extra special moment to have grandma Gayle, aunt Wendy and Tucker there to see it again. I've heard rumors grandma even got a round of applause 🥰 Big thank you to @kelseykroon for organizing this beautiful event (and all the silent auction donations) and screening her wonderful film as well. Photos by the talented @emilymesnerphoto My Alaskan Journey team- @jack_j87 @saraofthewild @willnphoto Alexan @rowanaitchison @rennhrafn @orcaadventurelodge @ranneyfishandtrees @orcaadventress @jasonsching @tvcameragirl @joshbrowncomposer Will and everyone who supported in anyway (watching edits, feedback etc).