By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
For one wildlife photographer, capturing nature has always been about more than the image itself. For Ruff Shot Photography, it means storytelling, patience, and learning to notice what others often pass by.
Patrick Ruffer’s journey began years ago in Northwest Ohio, long before professional gear or polished technique entered the picture.
As a teenager, he borrowed his older sister’s camera and spent summer evenings watching local whitetail bucks emerge to feed in soybean and clover fields.
Growing up with hunting as his main hobby, he started to take pictures to show his hunting buddies the potential prospects for the upcoming season.
Over time, the focus shifted. A camera began to replace his bow and gun, and learning the technical side of photography became a new challenge.
“I started with a ten-year-old camera that came into my possession and the next step was to really just start to understand the camera and its settings,” Patrick said.
“Being self-taught, I can’t say I’ve mastered it but have significantly improved since the beginning.”
“Wildlife photography for me has really just been the evolution of my love for nature and wildlife into finding the best way to show others what the outdoors brings,” he continues.
“The growth has allowed him to pursue what he described as “a more intimate type of photo of our local wildlife.”
Patience is at the heart of his work – though luck still plays a role. “Patience and preparation are huge factors for wildlife photography, though a lot of it is just plain luck and being able to capitalize on the opportunity,” Patrick says.
Even moments of doubt are part of the process. “Sometimes I’ll have an awesome encounter and think to myself how lucky I just got and have even a little bit of imposter syndrome,” he admits, before remembering “all of the times there were no encounters or my camera knowledge failed.”
When it comes to Ruff Shot’s subject matter, Patrick’s interests have broadened over the years. While deer once topped the list, now the thrill comes from discovery.
“Now my favorite type of wildlife photography is just capturing or seeing a new species, a new behavior, or a different interaction between two different or two of the same species.”
Some of his most memorable moments include “an otter eating a frog and a fox curiously stalking my camera shutter sound.”
What makes those moments most special for this Stryker photographer is when wildlife behaves naturally. “Watching wildlife act as they would if I weren’t there is my favorite part,” Patrick adds.
Much of his work takes place close to home. He frequently visits local spots such as Goll Woods and Oxbow Lake, drawn by both the convenience and the opportunity.
“Mostly because they are ten minutes or less from my house,” he said. He also has permission to photograph on private properties that provide strong wildlife habitats, adding, “We really are fortunate in this area with the amount of wildlife we get to enjoy.”
At its core, Ruff Shot Photography carries a simple message; one rooted in appreciation.
“The biggest thing that I try to get across with my photography is that no matter how common or rare, big or small, exciting or dull a subject is, they all can have a moment that makes a special scene,” he said.
“Watching a common house sparrow, for example,” Patrick continues, “nine times out of ten you will overlook it, but if you start to pay attention to it, you start to understand and maybe even admire it.” Even the most familiar sights deserve a second look.
That perspective is what he hopes viewers take with them. “I hope my photography can help people see the beauty in the overlooked.
“We are all just trying to make it to the next day and everyone deserves a little admiration every once in a while,” Ruffer affirms.
In a world that often moves too fast, his work invites viewers to slow down, look closer, and find meaning in the moments quietly unfolding just beyond their notice.