What does it feel like to have a wildlife photography career with no plan B? One rooted in patience, observation, and a deep respect and passion for the natural world. Where seabirds aren’t just subjects, but individuals worth protecting?
In Episode 7 of Vallerret’s Creative Outsiders, Lukas Riedl and Carl van den Boom sit down with Rachel Bigsby — seabird photographer, wildlife storyteller, and conservation advocate — to dive deep into the world of seabird photography and what it means to photograph with responsibility.
Rachel shares how a fascination with northern fulmars became the foundation of a career with no safety net. With no backup plan, patience and persistence became essential tools, shaping not only how she photographs wildlife, but how she experiences it.
The conversation explores learning seabird behaviour and fieldcraft, recognizing individual birds, and why slowing down and observing is often more powerful than chasing the shot. Rachel reflects on balancing photography with presence, using imagery as a force for conservation, and navigating the realities of building a career in wildlife photography.
Rachel also opens up about advocacy responsibilities, dealing with online criticism, and how recent achievements have opened new doors. Rachel is reinforcing why telling honest wildlife stories matters more than ever.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How a fascination with northern fulmars shaped Rachel’s career path
- Why patience and observation are foundational skills in wildlife photography
- Balancing capturing the shot with fully experiencing nature
- Learning seabird behaviour and fieldcraft in challenging environments
- Recognizing individual birds and forming deeper personal connections
- Photography as a tool for seabird conservation and advocacy
- Facing online criticism and staying true to your values
- Turning achievements into opportunities without losing purpose
🎙️ Listen to the episode here:
Explore more of Rachel’s work through the links below:
Stay sharp. Stay curious. Stay out longer. 🧤🔥
