Rachel Bigsby, an award-winning wildlife photographer and seabird conservationist, has been appointed as Ambassador for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), one of Europe's largest charities for the conservation of birds and nature.
Rachel has dedicated her career to sharing the often unseen lives, stories, and science of seabirds. Her work behind the lens, combined with hands-on involvement in seabird conservation, has given her a profound understanding of the delicate balance of their existence—and the urgent need to protect them.
“Wildlife photography is a portal to another world. It invites us to step into the lives of species many will never encounter, to see the beauty and fragility of the natural world. But it also does something more profound: it tells stories that words alone cannot.”
In 2022, Rachel’s documentation of the bird flu crisis for National Geographic highlighted the devastating impact of the disease on seabird populations.
“When I shared those images, the response was overwhelming. Most people said they had no idea this was happening right on their doorstep. It was a stark reminder that a single photograph can bring untold stories to life and open our eyes to the realities of the natural world.”
As humanity faces an ever increasing disconnection from nature, Rachel believes that wildlife photography is a vital bridge:
“It sparks curiosity, builds empathy, and inspires action. By igniting love and appreciation for the natural world, photography helps us to see what we stand to lose—and why it’s worth fighting for. As I embark on this new chapter in my career, blending my two biggest passions in life, I’m proud to play an even bigger part in protecting nature and sharing its greatest stories. With the support of the RSPB and Nikon, I hope to inspire others to connect with both photography and with the wild, to fall in love with it and take action for it.”
Rachel’s love for seabirds has been a defining focus of her work. Her ability to capture the beauty and fragility of them has earned her numerous accolades, including the ‘Natural Artistry’ category winner in Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Portfolio Award winner in Bird Photographer of the Year.
The RSPB’s Chief Executive, Beccy Speight shared her excitement about the partnership:
“We are so excited to have this fantastic opportunity with such a special talent. I’m personally very drawn to her abstract-inspired approach that encourages viewers to stop and look, and to really take in an image, which ultimately helps more and more people to feel connected to nature and understand the crisis it is in. Rachel is not only an exceptional trail blazer within this field, but she is so influential in opening up representation and creativity within wildlife photography more broadly.”
Speaking about Rachel’s passion for seabirds, Beccy added:
“The UK is internationally important for breeding seabirds, but shockingly ten of these species are now Red-listed, including Puffins, Arctic Terns, and Great Skuas. We know the challenges that nature is facing, not only around our coastlines but across the globe. We’re really looking forward to collaborating with Rachel on creative ways to share these vital concerns and bring the urgent change to safeguard the future for our precious wildlife.”
Rachel’s previously partnered with the RSPB and the Natural History Museum, London to present a film about avian influenza in Northern Gannets. Her role in that project not only highlighted the critical challenges faced by these iconic seabirds but also showcased her ability to combine art and storytelling to raise awareness about urgent conservation issues.
As Rachel embarks on this new chapter in her career, blending her biggest passions in life, she is proud and determined to play an even bigger part in protecting nature and sharing its greatest stories, and hopes to continue inspiring others to connect with both photography and with the wild, to fall in love with it and take action for it.
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