Robert Irwin’s incredible performances on “Dancing with the Stars” makes it hard to believe that he has no prior dance experience. Dance may not be his hobby (although that could change after his experience on the ABC competition), but he is incredibly passionate about photography.
Robert Irwin Discusses His Passion for Photography
Irwin takes incredible photos of wildlife, which help further his goal of raising awareness for wildlife conservation. Photography is something he started doing when he was young, and in an interview with People on October 27, Irwin shared that his hobby was inspired by his mom, Terri Irwin, and his late father, Steve Irwin.
“I sort of found it a very sort of individual thing for me because I’ve always felt like I’m part of something that’s so much bigger than just myself, a legacy that is huge and that has spanned generations that my dad and my mom started,” he said. “And it’s a real privilege to continue that, but photography became kind of Robert’s way to continue that legacy. It was very individual for me.”
He continued, “I’ve always just loved being behind the camera as much as in front of the camera. I think it’s just being around cinematographers and being in that world for a really long time, you get a great appreciation for that craft. And growing up I was able to visit the most amazing locations in the world on conservation projects, and I would end up taking a camera with me and it sort of just developed from there.”
Robert Irwin Recalls Encounter With a Thief
As incredible as it is to photograph the animals he is so passionate about, camera equipment is not cheap. For this reason, it is often targeted by thieves, and Irwin has experienced this himself when a brazen thief stole his equipment, right in the middle of an airport. He reflected on this story in his interview, noting how he was in Kenya at the time.
“I was flying through Nairobi, and we touched down and I have my hard case full of camera gear,” he said. “I had to check it because it didn’t fit as carry on.”
Irwin recalled not seeing his case and thought this was “strange.” He decided to return to the conveyor belt to check what had happened, and as he walked toward it, he spotted his case, but it was in someone else’s possession!
Irwin’s case is very noticeable because of the stickers he has added. “It’s on a trolley and someone’s walking with it out the front door stealing it. It’s got a very clear look, it’s got all the stickers on so you couldn’t mistake at someone else’s,” Irwin recalled. He bravely confronted the thief. “And he looks at me and he looks around at everyone and gives it to me and then just takes off running,” Irwin said. “But this happens all the time. It happens everywhere, all around the world.”
