Bio

Biologist by training, naturalist by heart, and photographer by passion, Robb Hirsch has an intimate relationship with the natural world. This connection was established early during annual childhood visits to Yosemite. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of California–Irvine, Robb began his career as a field biologist, working on a variety of projects for California State Parks, the US Geological Survey, and several private firms. These projects included native habitat restoration, conservation of threatened or endangered birds and inventorying desert reptiles and amphibians. Photography was originally to simply document the critters and habitats he was working with before becoming the focus. His photography has been featured in calendars, magazines, gallery showings, and international competitions, and he leads customized small-group and private photography workshops in Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Robb is the author/photographer of The Nature of Yosemite: A Visual Journey (Yosemite Conservancy, 2019) and the photographer of Yosemite Wildlife coming out in fall of 2025. Robb’s primary professional goal is using nature photography for education, outreach, and conservation, in addition to creating images to hang on walls for pure enjoyment. For more information about Robb and his work, see robbhirschphoto.com.

Artist Statement

My education as a biologist and naturalist instilled a deep appreciation of, and fascination for, the natural world and all it's inhabitants. I’m most content outdoors—exploring, learning, teaching, and I would choose to be there even if I weren’t taking photos. I’m not out in nature because I’m a photographer, I’m a photographer because I love being out in nature. Whether my subjects are wildlife or scenic, grand landscapes or intimate, photography gives me opportunities to connect to the world at a sensory level. Photography is a wilderness experience for me, and to feel the most present in the work, I usually go out alone. Without distractions, I observe more wildlife and become more creative with compositions. Most of the pictures I’ve taken were taken on solitary outings with no other photographers in sight.

I often use places that I’ve previously scouted; the physical and intellectual challenge of finding interesting viewpoints, predicting when and under what circumstances the scene will be most photogenic, and getting there when those conditions are present is extremely rewarding. Other times, I head into the field without preconceived notions— encountering the unknown and the unexpected fuels the excitement. In either situation, adjusting and adapting as light and conditions change is a thrilling part of the experience and I relish the entire journey. I often hike out to locations during a storm to be on location for the dynamic light that can occur during the clearings.

Photography is often humbling; a large investment of time and energy in scouting, searching for wildlife, waiting for interesting light, or scrambling around chasing it, which doesn’t often pay off. More often than not, I fail to capture something uniquely compelling. But, regardless of capturing a stellar image, being there (wherever there may be) is always a wonderful and well-appreciated window of time in nature. The ultimate goal with my imagery is to facilitate opportunities for people to gain a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, the natural world, hopefully culminating in actions and decisions to be better stewards of the land.