Photographer of the Week: Wildlife Photographer Yehuda Hirschowitz
- Adam Cruickshank
- Jul 31
- 6 min read
For this week's Photographer of the Week, we're introducing you to Yehuda Hirschowitz, a wildlife photographer and digital marketing student based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
With a bird list of 483 species, around 300 of which he has photographed, Yehuda has developed a passion for capturing birds in a way that goes beyond simple identification. His photographs are about preserving memories, telling stories, and showcasing birds within the landscapes they call home.
While photography is a major part of his life, it is also how he connects with nature.
"Photography has become the way I experience and connect with nature. It encourages me to slow down, pay attention, and notice details that many people walk past every day."
Discovering Birds Close to Home
Yehuda's journey into wildlife photography began when he was around thirteen years old. Initially, he photographed wildlife in general, but growing up in Johannesburg meant that opportunities to photograph larger mammals were limited.
Rather than seeing this as a disadvantage, he turned his attention to birds.
"I have been into photography since I was around thirteen, starting out with animals in general. Living in Johannesburg, though, opportunities to photograph larger wildlife were limited, so birds became the natural subject to turn to."
What started as photographing what was available gradually developed into a genuine passion for birding itself.
There was no defining moment that made him take photography more seriously. Instead, it evolved naturally as photography became less about recording sightings and more about capturing experiences.
"As my interest in birding grew, so did my desire to improve as a photographer and to create images that reflected not only what I had seen, but what it felt like to be there."
Telling Stories Through Photography
When describing his photography style, Yehuda returns repeatedly to the idea of storytelling.
"I would describe my style as natural and story driven. While I appreciate a good detail shot, I am particularly drawn to environmental portraits that place the bird within its habitat and tell a broader story about where it lives and how it interacts with its surroundings."
Rather than isolating the subject, he enjoys showing birds as part of a much bigger picture.
"I want my images to feel authentic, capturing not just the subject but the atmosphere of the moment and the environment it was taken in."
The Memories Matter Most
Ask Yehuda what he enjoys most about bird photography and his answer has very little to do with cameras.
"For me, it comes down to the memories and moments rather than the photographs themselves. The images are really just a way of holding onto an experience. The early mornings, the search, and the time spent outdoors are what I value most."
That perspective also shapes how he views his own photographs.
Rather than pointing to one favourite image, he says the photographs that mean the most are those connected to memorable experiences in the field.
"The story behind a photograph often matters more than its technical perfection."
Many of his favourite images remind him of early mornings, long searches, and time spent birding with friends who share the same passion.
Learning Patience
Like many wildlife photographers, Yehuda believes patience has been his greatest teacher.
"Some opportunities come quickly, but many of the photographs and sightings that mean the most to me have come after multiple attempts, early mornings, and plenty of unsuccessful outings."
He has also discovered that success often depends far more on understanding birds than understanding cameras.
"I have also learned that understanding behaviour and spending time observing a subject is often more important than camera settings or equipment. The more time you spend in the field, the more you begin to anticipate moments before they happen."
A Morning to Remember
One of Yehuda's most memorable birding experiences came while he was still relatively new to birding.
After hearing reports of an African Crake at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, he and a friend headed out before sunrise to try their luck.
The morning turned into one of those unforgettable birding days.
Not only did they find the African Crakes, but he also added Orange-breasted Waxbill, Great Crested Grebe, and Cuckoo Finch to his life list.
"At the time, waking up before sunrise to target specific species was still a fairly new experience for me, so the excitement of finding all those birds in a single morning has stayed with me."
Why Owls Stand Out
Choosing a favourite bird isn't easy for Yehuda.
His favourite often changes depending on recent experiences, but one group consistently remains near the top of the list.
Caught briefly in the light before disappearing back into the night
"If I had to narrow it down, owls would be near the top of the list. There is something special about their behaviour, their presence, and the challenge involved in finding and photographing them."
Perhaps that sense of mystery is exactly what makes them so rewarding to encounter.
Persistence Pays Off
Like most bird photographers, Yehuda still has a long list of species he hopes to photograph.
One bird, however, taught him a lesson that has stayed with him.
The African Rail became a personal mission after several unsuccessful attempts at Marievale Bird Sanctuary. Even after reports of one at Rietvlei, it still took two more trips before he finally succeeded.
"The experience taught me that persistence is often the most important skill in bird photography, and it made finally seeing the bird all the more rewarding."
Advice for New Bird Photographers
When asked what advice he would give someone starting out, Yehuda's answer is wonderfully straightforward.
"Practice, practice, practice."
He believes there has never been a better time to learn photography, with countless free resources available online, but nothing replaces time spent in the field.
He also encourages photographers not to compare themselves to others.
"You are usually only seeing somebody else's best images rather than the hundreds of missed shots, unsuccessful outings, and failed attempts that came before them."
Instead, he encourages people to enjoy the journey.
"Photography is a journey, and the most important thing is to enjoy the process rather than worrying too much about the results or how your work compares to others."
More Than Just Photographs
Bird photography has taught Yehuda far more than how to create images.
"It has taught me patience and perseverance. You do not always get the shot you were hoping for, and more often than not, you leave without it. But you keep trying, and that process has taught me to sit with disappointment without letting it put me off."
He has also learned that not every outing needs to revolve around finding a particular species.
"There is value in simply enjoying the moment and the space you are currently in, regardless of what you go home with."
Looking Beyond the Final Image
Yehuda wishes more people understood that bird photography is rarely about a single press of the shutter.
"I think many people see the final photograph without realising how much time and effort often goes into it. A single image may represent hours of searching, waiting, or returning to the same location multiple times."
For him, the photographs are only part of the story.
"Bird photography is often about much more than the photograph itself. For many people it becomes a way of connecting with nature, learning about conservation, and appreciating species that they may otherwise never have noticed."
Finding Birds Wherever You Are
If there is one lesson Yehuda hopes readers take away from his journey, it is that great bird photography doesn't depend on travelling to distant destinations or owning the latest equipment.
"You do not need to travel to remote destinations or have the latest equipment to enjoy bird photography."
Instead, he encourages people to appreciate the opportunities close to home.
"Some of the experiences that have meant the most to me have happened close to home with common species. There is always something worth seeing if you take the time to look for it."
It's a fitting conclusion to the story of a photographer whose journey began by photographing the birds that were simply available to him. Years later, that practical decision has grown into a passion for birding, photography, and telling the stories that unfold every time we spend a little longer outdoors.
To see more of Yehuda’s photography, follow him on Instagram.
Could You Be Our Next Photographer of the Week?
We are always looking to showcase talented bird and wildlife photographers from across our community.
If you would like to be considered for a future Photographer of the Week feature, simply complete our short application form. Each week we will select one photographer to feature on The Birding Life website and across our social media platforms.
If you are selected, we will get in touch to learn more about your photography journey and create a feature article showcasing both you and your work.
Complete the application form here: https://forms.gle/cFmZkLv9nWdFS4wr8
