Heather KiNCH Studio

Heather KiNCH developed her attachment to animals and birds even before she could walk. And she has been passionate about photography from the moment she received her first "Brownie" camera as a child. In due course, she went on to create award winning, innovative images on a variety of subjects throughout her school days. Heather was interested in what went on behind the camera as much as she was fascinated by what was in front of it. She grew up with and "in" the darkroom she somehow managed to confiscate from her older brother - also an avid photographer at the time - who had installed the darkroom in the basement of their Copley, Ohio home for his own use. How she ever got away with that is a well-guarded family secret. Today, 43 years and hundreds of thousands of images beyond that Brownie camera, Heather's focus is exclusively, and obsessively, birds. She "birds" them, she photographs them, she draws and paints them, and now, she displays her images of them. Her unique artistic vision is a culmination of over forty years of study in photography, graphic design, studio art, illustration and color reproduction. Each of these disciplines has played an integral role in allowing Heather to realize her mission of differentiating her approach from traditional "bird or wildlife photography". Rather, Heather's audience is treated to a rare and unique view into the avian world as expressed in her "bird art" of exquisite beauty and elegance. Heather's photographs are stunning in their artistry and captivating to the point of the viewer often finding themselves solely engaged with the image and sharing an almost intimate moment with her birds. "I love telling the stories of these birds", says KiNCH. "I'm so filled with awe sometimes that I just want to try to capture what I'm fortunate enough to see and share it with others who don't have the ability to be here." Heather's passion and love for her subject matter comes with a deep and abiding sense of respect and responsibility. Hence, Heather KiNCH Studio donates a percentage of all sales to charities and non-profit groups doing the vital work of protecting and preserving the welfare of animals, birds and our environment. When Heather is not behind the camera, pouring over her images, writing or researching, she's stalking pelicans, egrets and herons at local water holes with sketchpad, cameras and tripods in tow. She resides in Encinitas, California and shares her home with two standard poodles (often found lounging like bookends on the sofa), a micro-managing black cat, a power-napping Tabby-Siamese mix and a back yard medley of songbirds.