Erin Ranney: Filming the Matriarchs of the Animal Kingdom – Wildlife Stories Through the Lens

It started with a blue Pentax camera in the rainforests of Madagascar. Erin Ranney wasn’t yet a filmmaker—just a field tech chasing lemurs and helping with data collection. But something shifted when she picked up that camera. The story of the wild, it turned out, wasn’t just meant to be observed. It was meant to be told.

Raised between the remote coasts of Alaska and the dense forests of Washington State, Erin grew up with wildness in her bones. She fished commercially with her family in Bristol Bay, roamed tree farms with her grandfather, and learned the rhythms of nature long before she learned to frame a shot. Her path—from eagle rescues to deep-sea expeditions aboard the Nautilus—feels both improbable and inevitable.

In this episode, Erin shares how she found her way behind the lens—filming everything from grizzly bears in Katmai to matriarchal elephants in Kenya for the acclaimed series Queens. She takes us through the tension and beauty of fieldwork, the emotional weight of watching nature unfold, and the quiet power of being a woman in a space that’s long been dominated by men.

This is more than a conversation about wildlife cinematography. It’s about legacy, mentorship, and the quiet moments that shape a life. Whether you’re drawn to the ocean floor or the forest canopy, Erin’s story invites you to see the world a little more closely—and maybe even pick up your own camera.

Watch The Episode With Erin Ranney

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Listen To The Episode With Erin Ranney

Key Episode Takeaways

• Fieldwork roots – Erin’s deep connection with the wild started in Alaska and Washington before she ever picked up a camera.
• Finding the lens – A chance trip to Madagascar sparked her love for storytelling through film.
• The “Queens” project – Erin shares her behind-the-scenes experiences filming matriarchal animal societies across the globe.
• Mentorship matters – Support from seasoned cinematographers shaped her technical and creative approach.
• Legacy and family – Her passion project retracing her grandmother’s bush pilot adventures connects generations through storytelling.

Memorable Quotes

• “I grew up in a forest, practically.” – Erin describing her childhood on the family’s tree farm.
• “Lift as you climb.” – Her most meaningful advice, and a mantra she lives by.
• “The bears don’t even notice you.” – On filming in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.
• “They make human babies look so slow.” – On the resilience of newborn elephants.
• “That was a pretty sad day.” – Reflecting on the emotional highs and lows of wildlife filmmaking.

Facts

• Erin is a third-generation fisherwoman – Her family has worked in Alaska’s Bristol Bay for decades.
• “Queens” was led by an all-female production team – A landmark moment in wildlife television.
• Nautilus expeditions – Erin worked as a video engineer exploring the deep sea near Hawaii, Mexico, and soon Palau.
• She has filmed grizzlies every summer since entering the field – Including Katmai, one of the world’s bear capitals.
• She co-founded the Wildlife Camerawoman Community – A network supporting women in wildlife film through mentorship and resources.

Ideas

• Film your own story – Start with what’s around you; Erin began with her own backyard and family history.
• Mentorship isn’t optional – It’s foundational in building not just technical skills, but confidence in the field.
• Not every wild story is safe—but they’re all important – Erin’s bear and elephant encounters remind us how close beauty and danger can be.
• Support women behind the camera – Representation changes not just who tells the story, but how it’s told.
• Be present, not perfect – Wildlife filmmaking isn’t about control—it’s about witnessing life unfold.

Call to Adventure

“Explore your own backyard like you’ve never seen it before.” Erin encourages everyone to rediscover the wonder close to home. Whether it’s a nearby forest or a weekend on the coast, adventure isn’t always far away.

Pay It Forward

Erin champions two organizations close to her heart: Defend Yakutat, which works to sustain ancestral lands in Alaska, and United Tribes of Bristol Bay, fighting to protect salmon habitats from industrial threats. Both play vital roles in defending the ecosystems and communities she grew up with.

References & Recommendations

• Erin Ranney Website – erinraney.com
• Instagram – @e.raney
• Queens Documentary Series – IMDB Listing
• Girls Who Click – girlswhoclick.org
• Ocean Exploration Trust – nautiluslive.org

Before You Go

Erin’s journey from a tree farm in Washington to filming matriarchal elephants in Kenya is a reminder that wildness, wonder, and purpose often live right where we are. If her story moved you, inspired you, or made you curious—share the episode, follow the show, and pass it on.