Robin Epstein
My photography is inspired by the world I see around me – from Israel’s awe-inspiring ancient sites to its vibrant and cosmopolitan present, to the perfect beauty of a bunch of grapes or the tiniest seashell. I work predominantly in color, focusing on nature, travel and fine art photography. I’m rarely found without a camera in hand, on the lookout for beauty both obvious and hidden.
It has always been important to me to create art that is both beautiful and accessible. Something that speaks to the heart more than the mind. Something that belongs in a real person’s home and makes you smile every time you look at it. Art that transports you, that brings back memories of where you’ve been – or where you’d like to go.
Around the Island Photography brings this vision to life, offering 100% original fine art, travel & nature photography, greeting cards, bookmarks & custom Photoverse prints from around Israel and around the world.
Come take a look and find the one that will make you smile each time you look at it.
Where are you originally from and how did you end up in Israel?
I’m American-born and raised. I grew up in New York and went to college in New Jersey, which is where I met the love of my life. We moved to Israel straight after college to take our place in the greatest adventure the Jewish people have had in the past 2,000 years. Ideology originally brought us here all those years ago, but it is the life that we’ve created that has kept us here for the past twenty+ years. We all have dual citizenship though, and do get back to visit each summer. In fact, my 11 year old just flew to the States last week to spend some one on one time with his grandparents and then head off to a week of sleepaway camp before my daughter and I join him at later this month.
What are your favorite and least favorite things about where you live?
Six months of summertime with no rain all summer long! (Arid climates do have their benefits, your summer beach day is never rained out.) Seriously though, what I love most is Israel’s amazing diversity – Tel Aviv is one of the world’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities (with a fabulous Mediterranean beach) and yet just 45 minutes away is the majesty and history of Jerusalem’s Old City.
My least favorite? Things do get a bit stressful here at times, and we’ll leave it at that.
What kind of photography equipment do you use?
I shoot with a Nikon D7000 and a variety of lenses, extensions tubes and closeup filters.
Describe your favorite wall decoration in your house:
My favorite wall decoration (besides my own work which hangs on quite a few of my walls) is this gorgeous painted ceramic piece in varying shades of blue and cream with what are either poppies, balloons or trees, depending on your point of view, that we found in Tournus, France a few months ago. One look and I just had to have it.
Recommend a book you love:
The Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley.
Spunky protagonists, rich history, a sprinkling of magic – this is one of those books that I read again and again, the way you pick up with an old friend after years apart.
What do you think is the best comfort food for a crappy day?
Homemade macaroni and cheese, no question.
**As a thank you for featuring Around the Island Photography, I’m offering Dragonflight Dreams readers 15% off of anything in my Etsy shop! Just use the coupon code DRAGONFLIGHT15 when you check out and 15% will automatically be deducted from the price of your item.**
Isn’t that awesome? I may have to take advantage of that coupon code myself. 🙂 Also, come back on Friday for the group giveaway and a chance to win something cool from Robin!