Hi, I’m Vidyun R Hebbar, a 14-year-old photographer from Bangalore, India, currently studying in 9th grade.
My journey with photography began when I was just 3 years old, and it’s been my passion ever since. I’ve mostly learned by observing and exploring with my father, who has been my biggest mentor. Macro photography is where my heart lies, but I’ve also started experimenting with street photography. Honestly, I enjoy capturing everything from tiny spiders to fallen leaves.
My father always says that you don’t need to go on a safari to photograph wildlife. With the right perspective, you can find amazing subjects even in the middle of a city. I usually shoot in Bangalore’s (also called the “Garden City of India) lush parks and gardens. I also love photographing in the Western Ghats near Sringeri, where my grandfather lives. The area is full of insects and hidden wildlife waiting to be discovered.
In 2021, I was honoured to receive the Grand Title of Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year. I also earned Highly Commended awards in the “10 Years and Under” category in both 2020 and 2021. These awards, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, are among the most prestigious in the photography world. They are often called the “Oscars of Wildlife Photography.” In 2023, I received a Special Mention in Nature inFocus, and in 2024. I was the 1st Prize winner of Changing Planet category at MontPhoto 2025, also in which I had been a finalist in 2024. Three of my images were also shortlisted for the Close-up Photographer of the Year 2024.
Besides photography, I’m passionate about building and flying FPV drones. I currently fly a custom-built FlyFishRC Volador VX3.5, which I’ve assembled myself.
When I’m not outdoors or flying drones, I love to read—sometimes for hours at a stretch. Some of my favourite books include the Tintin series, Hardy Boys, and anything written by Rick Riordan.