To escape the bustling human world, Otto Heijst regularly retreats with his Nikon camera to places where nature reigns supreme. He often revisits certain areas multiple times to fully acquaint himself with nature, the animals, and their behaviors, seeking to immerse himself in the landscape's essence. Otto employs his camera to seek moments where an animal seamlessly integrates into the landscape, reflecting humanity's intrinsic connection to nature.

A self-taught photographer, Otto Heijst has been capturing animals in their natural habitats since 1998, both in the Netherlands and abroad. He attributes his profound appreciation for nature to his mother, while his father instilled in him a sense of adventure, focus, and perseverance. These qualities have equipped him to flourish as a nature photographer.

"My photography reminds me that we, as humans, are part of a larger tapestry, the Great Life. For instance, during a strenuous journey in Norway, after days of trekking, I find myself deeply connected to nature from my snow-covered tent. These experiences have greatly enriched my life. My photographic focus has shifted over the years. While initially, I pursued trophies—capturing rare bird species or perfect close-ups of startled deer—recently, I've emphasized experiencing nature itself, almost on a spiritual level. Leaving human distractions behind, I seek solitude, immersing myself entirely in nature, feeling its vitality in every fiber. Photography is no longer just a goal but a means to share the tranquility and power of nature that I experience with others. Consequently, the deer no longer needs to be the primary subject of the photo; instead, it quietly blends into the forest's natural life.”