Estes Park is known for its stunning landscapes, majestic and serene beauty, drawing visitors from around the country and beyond to experience for themselves nature in its purest form.
Among those who have found inspiration in this mountain town is a photographer who has earned a unique nickname — “The Bunny Whisperer.”
Deena Sveinsson has a passion for capturing the unique moments of wildlife. She has gained local traction not only for her exceptional skill with a camera but also for her uncanny ability to connect with the animals she photographs, particularly rabbits and moose.
During college at the University of Washington, Sveinsson began photographing rock bands and some of her photographs were picked up by publications. After graduation, she continued to live in the Seattle area where she worked as a commercial airline pilot for 20 years.
A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park led Sveinsson and her husband, Knut—who is also a pilot—to pick Estes Park as their new home, and her journey into wildlife photography began when her career as a pilot ended.
Sveinsson began making wildlife pictures, slowly at first, in the national park and also on trips. “I realized that this area has snowshoe hare, blacktail jack rabbits and white table jack rabbits all over the state, it was natural for me to photograph here,” she explained. Then, with a knowing smile, Sveinsson added, “I can take an ordinary cottontail rabbit and make it look like a pinup girl.”
Having always owned rabbits growing up, and volunteering with organizations like House Rabbit Society, it did not take long before Sveinsson housed two rabbit pets, this time Continental Giants which happen to be one of the oldest and largest breeds of rabbits.
Her distinct photos with rabbits set her apart from other wildlife photographers and led to her becoming known as the “Bunny Whisperer,” a designation that reflects her extraordinary ability to capture these creatures in their most natural and intimate moments while appearing to pose for her.
“She will sit with them so they get used to her,” Sveinsson’s husband said, “She will spend long days out there.”
Sveinsson’s photographs of rabbits are not just images. Her photographs are portraits that reveal the gentle nature, playfulness, and even the subtle emotions of her subjects.
A “Moose Whisperer” too
Sveinsson is also a moose whisperer, another species that holds a special place in her heart. Sveinsson’s moose photography highlights the strength and playfulness of these strong animals, often capturing them in moments of quiet reflection or powerful movement.
Two of her most celebrated images are of a moose standing in front of a photographer’s camera set up and appearing to be looking directly into it, and one which features three moose splashing and playing which she named “The Fast and the Furriest.” Both photos were taken in the Tetons.
The required characteristics of any nature photographer are patience and stamina. Sveinsson has persevered through tests of her patience in various parts of the world and in many forms of inclement weather. “There is a lot of hiking and a lot of snowshoeing,” Sveinsson reflected.
She spends hours, sometimes even days, in the field, quietly observing her subjects without disturbing them. “The key is to become part of their environment,” she says. “You must blend in and let them come to you. It’s a practice in patience and respect.”
Sveinsson’s talent has not gone unnoticed. Her work has been featured in prestigious exhibitions, including a recent showcase at the Natural History Museum of London where she held the People’s Choice title in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year two years consecutively.
In addition, her photos continue to be featured in magazines including BBC Wildlife Magazine and National Geographic. “Someone recently told me they saw one of my photos at the Louvre Museum,” Sveinsson said.
Despite her growing recognition, Sveinsson remains grounded in the community that nurtured her passion. She and her husband continue to live in Estes Park in a home they built, and she draws inspiration from the area’s natural beauty. You may even see her out on a walk with her rabbits, Jackson and Cooper.
In addition to her photography, Sveinsson is the founder of the Estes Valley Photo Club which launched this year. The club meets every fourth Thursday between June and September in the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each month there is a new topic with a rotating speaker to teach different techniques in technical and other skills related to photography, giving the community an opportunity to gain experience more about taking photos from local experts, as well as to meet others with this similar interest. The next two meeting will be Sept. 9 with Peter Ismert about photography with bears and Sept. 26 with Alan Lipkin about photography with moose.
Looking to the future, Sveinsson would like to expand her work as well as her space for educating the public. She would like to offer guided trips next year as people have told her she has a way of teaching technical and techniques details that makes it easy to understand. This may lead to workshops and group trips overseas.
As Sveinsson continues to capture nature through her lens, her photographs allow us to connect to the animals that would never allow most of us to see that level of detail or stillness.
For a list of Sveinsson’s accolades and awards and to see more of her photography, her work is available on her website. You can also follow her on Instagram.
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