I personally believe that to become a “Travel and Wildlife Photographer” 3 things are of quintessential nature.

1. Interest = This the first thing or the base to the other 2 things needed. By having the interest to become the said above; the person will be equipped with looking at things from a different perspective or viewing from heart. This gives the individual  a chance to portray feelings and emotions of thousand words of a place or thing in a single frame. This interest gives them a chance to play with the photography skills and understand that beauty is not only in the bigger things but also in the lesser things too.
2. Hobby = This makes way or takes on the pathway for the individual to become a “Travel and Wildlife Photographer.” This brings the ability or abilities that are needed by the individual  to be so. This gives the individual to explore and expand the borders and horizons of being a “Travel and Wildlife Photographer.”In this stage the knowledge of being such, expands and the individual starts portraying the talent ranging from, to an extent to advancing to artistic in nature.
3. Passion = This is the ultimate thing or step to happen i believe just as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. This is the stage where individual becomes the master of this trade. There are many technical and academical aspects that comes into culmination that starts in the 2nd step for the individual. Mentoring, Tutoring and sometimes Coaching also plays a key role in this aspect.

However i also feel that though necessary but not all the time maybe true, but, the steps needn’t be starting at a very young age. Age is just a number for this particular profession.