I am a third culture kid who has had the enriching opportunity to live in Malaysia, Canada and now the Middle East. My love for nature and wildlife stems from spending a lot of my childhood outdoors in a multitude of diverse landscapes rich in flora and fauna. I’ve come to appreciate any and all varieties of environments whether sun-scorched deserts or the lush ecologically diverse rainforests this planet has to offer. Along with all this came many experiences where I had the pleasure to explore a plethora of cultures and ways of life. I particularly take an interest in learning about how human presence and activity impacts wildlife in their pursuit for survival amidst an ever-changing world.
Through the process, I accidentally picked up photography but soon discovered that I had a knack for it. While it started out as a hobby, I soon found it as a means to capture and immortalize the awe-inspiring moments of nature that I initially fell in love with. Raising awareness about conservation and sustainability topics through building appreciation is something I constantly strive to convey and propagate through my work. I truly believe that people will only have the raw and uninhibited desire to conserve something if they hold a genuine appreciation and understanding of the cause. Thank you for visiting my page! I hope you join me on my journey and enjoy seeing the world through my lens!
Rohail Akbar
Recognition
A showcase of the awards, publications and features that have acknowledged my work over the years.
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Shortlisted for Close-up Photographer of the Year 2025 in the Animals category (final results pending)
Animals shortlist for CUPOTY 7 -
Recognized in Audubon’s Top 100 Images of 2025 for outstanding bird photography.
The 2025 Audubon Photography Awards: The Top 100 -
Recognized and featured by National Geographic Magazine Arabia for my contribution to the City Nature Challenge Dubai
City Nature Challenge Dubai -
Published in Khaleej Times, showcasing my images in their coverage of the City Nature Challenge Dubai
‘Rare finds’: Dubai residents discover 1,300 wild plants, animals in 4 days’ -
Acknowledged by Emirates Nature–WWF for my ongoing contributions to the planet through active and passionate youth volunteer work
Emirates Nature-WWF Youth Day -
Macro photography featured by Environment Canada on their official page
Environment Canada - Caterpillars