You need both ambition and confidence to succeed in a competitive field. You have to be self-critical in order to show only your best work. If you are passionate about wilderness photography you will have the drive to work hard and refine your technical and creative skills. Seek to specialize but be careful that your work isn’t to specialized that there is no market for it. You want to differentiate yourself from the crowd without fading into obscurity. Invest in the best equipment that you can afford but do your due diligence and research what’s best for your price point and skill level. Understand that while some equipment, like lenses, can last you a long time, other equipment, like the body of your camera, may get old in a couple years as newer technologies arise. Invest your money wisely and rent what you can. You may also join photography groups to pool your resources. Research on social media for clubs near your location. Being technically competent is essential to being a successful nature photographer. You don’t want to be out on the field with the perfect shot and not know how to troubleshoot a minor camera error. You may slowly take evening courses or complete a full degree. Be sure to research the instructors and institution to make sure that you are making a proper investment for your career goals. Keep only your best shots. Take as many pictures as you can so that you have a lot of variety to choose from. Be brutally honest with what your best shots are. Ask friends to help judge what should be in your portfolio. Make sure to show the variety and breadth of your skill. Show different close-ups, camera techniques, environments, etc. Depending on fees and deadlines, enter as many competitions as you can. The more prestigious the better as awards will only give you more notoriety and leverage to negotiate sales to later work. Research what the guidelines and prizes are. Some contests offer to launch your career with an immediate contract to a publication. Email photographers that you admire and politely reach out to them with any questions you may have. You be surprised at how easy it is to establish a relationship if you remain respectful of her time and passionate about her work. You may also fin photography groups on social media so that you can share your passion and support each other as you learn. A mentor is a great person to have so that you can learn tips and tricks that only someone with experience in the field can give. She can especially help in giving emotional support by letting you know that she once was just starting out and now sees the same potential in you to succeed as she has. If you are looking to grow nationally or internationally, you will need to learn how to photograph landscapes and fauna. You may also have to invest in travelling to exotic locations to capture unique wildlife. If you live in an exotic location than you are at an advantage. Becoming a professional nature photographer won’t happen overnight. You will need to invest in equipment and develop both your creative and business skills. Have patience and use your available resources to fund your passion until you receive your break. Because of the unpredictability of nature and the investment needed for exotic locations, you may need to supplement your nature photography with commercial photography.
Be passionate. Invest and budget for your equipment. Take a course. Create a portfolio. Enter competitions. Find a mentor or group. Shoot large landscapes and fauna. Keep your day job.