Mentor Portfolio

Hiteshkumar D. Patel is a passionate wildlife photographer and a dedicated civil engineer serving with the Government of Gujarat. A man of many talents, he balances his role as an Assistant Engineer in the Roads & Buildings Department with an unwavering love for nature and wildlife photography.

Since picking up the camera in 2022, Hitesh has travelled across India to document its incredible biodiversity from the dense wilderness of Jim Corbett and Tadoba to the grasslands of Little Rann of Kutch and bird havens like Sattal. His preferred genres include mammals and birds, often captured during golden light or in carefully composed camouflage setups using his Nikon Z5 with a 200-500mm lens.

His work has been published and recognized by prestigious platforms such as BBC Earth, Animal Planet India, Nature in Focus, Asian Photography Magazine, RoundGlass Sustain, and Nikon India. He has also earned accolades in the INW Awards, and was featured in the CWS Annual Research Report. One of his standout achievements includes ranking in the Top 75 out of 1500 entries at the 5th Dumas Art Project and being shortlisted twice in the Top 200 for the 35 Awards Wildlife Category.

When he’s not out in the field, Hitesh finds joy in stargazing, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations, and reading about animal behavior. He’s a firm believer in making wildlife photography more accessible, especially for enthusiasts from middle-class backgrounds who are often held back by the high costs of gear and tours. He advocates for collaborative communities where resources and knowledge are shared to empower more aspiring photographers.

At home, Hitesh is a devoted family man. He lives with his parents, wife, and two young children, and draws strength from their support. Despite the unpredictability of his government role, he commits to mentoring with sincerity preferring well-scheduled sessions that allow him to give his best.

Through his lens, his life, and his voice, Hiteshkumar Patel inspires a new generation of storytellers who wish to bring nature closer to the world.