Seascape nominee

I photographed Frozen Heartbeat from a kayak in Antarctica, drifting quietly alongside an iceberg that morphed in shape as I passed by. At one point the natural arches formed a shape unmistakably reminiscent of a heart, carved not by intention but by time, pressure, and melt. From water level, the scale was humbling—this delicate-looking form was part of a massive, powerful structure moving slowly through the Southern Ocean.

Every small swell, shift in wind, and crack of ice demanded awareness and respect. With changing angles and changing light the iceberg transformed as the blue interior glowed in the soft light. The muted sky and calm water stripped away distraction, allowing the shape and texture of the ice to speak clearly.

What drew me most was the contrast between fragility and permanence. The heart-like opening felt intimate yet fleeting, existing within an ancient system of ice and sea. I did not manipulate the scene or wait for dramatic conditions; the drama and power of this natural moment was humbling and inspiring.

Frozen Heartbeat is about witnessing rather than interpreting—recognizing how emotion, scale, and impermanence can coexist in a single, unrepeatable moment.

Leslie Robins has been a casual photographer for over 30 years and an avid hobbyist for the past eight. After retiring from a successful career in marketing and advertising, her background in graphic design and collaboration with photographers and creatives reignited her passion for visual storytelling—especially through photography.

Driven by a love of travel, nature, and horses, Leslie found photography to be the perfect way to capture and savor the beauty of the world around her. Today, she specializes in landscape and wildlife photography, with a particular focus on equine subjects. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for natural beauty and seeks to inspire a sense of wonder, wanderlust, and emotional connection.

Leslie’s photography has earned recognition in many prestigious exhibitions and competitions. She was recently awarded Discovery of the Year in the 2025 reFocus Awards in the category of domestic animals and has also won awards from the Muse Photography Awards, London Photography Awards, 1839 Awards, Global Photography Awards, European Photography Awards, Monochrome Awards, and the ND Awards.

Through her lens, Leslie continues to share the extraordinary moments and places that inspire her, inviting others to pause, reflect, and connect with the natural world.