atedge: Storytelling seems to be a big part of your process. Can you speak to that?

Heath Robbins:  Storytelling is at the core of what I do. I’m always listening—whether it’s through the camera or in conversation. When I’m shooting, I want to understand who people are. My process and approach to my craft is driven by a passion for collaboration and making life as stress free as possible for my clients. That’s especially true when I work with kids. I’m not just directing them—I’m playing with them. My background as a life coach really helps me ease the pressure on set. I can control almost every aspects of a shoot, except perhaps the weather… What I strive most to impact is the energy. If I make the experience enjoyable, people relax. And when they’re relaxed, they’re more creative. My work is infused with the exchange of ideas, mutual exploration and the result of building upon each other’s ideas during the creative process.

atedge: You’re equally adept at shooting food, beverage and product in the studio. Can you walk us through your process?

Heath Robbins: Absolutely. For me, shooting food and beverage in the studio is really about creating a controlled environment where every detail supports the story we’re telling. I begin by understanding the narrative behind the brand —what it represents, the mood we want to evoke, and who we’re speaking to. From there, I collaborate with the team to craft the visual language: the set, props, colors, and of course, the lighting. I treat light like an active storytelling tool—it brings out texture, directs focus, and builds atmosphere. The studio gives me the precision to shape every element so that the final image doesn’t just look beautiful—it feels intentional and connected to the broader story.

Michael Mandolese, Senior Design Manager at Hood: “I’ve worked with Heath for over five years, and he is truly an expert at what he does, making even the most difficult shoots feel effortless. Beyond his talent, he’s just a blast to work with! Days in his studio have never felt like work. Heath is my go-to photographer for any project. Whether we’re shooting a single image for packaging or capturing a year’s worth of social media content in a single day, the results are always stunning. If you’re looking for a photographer who can make your product look its absolute best, Heath is the one to call.” 

atedge: There seems to be a joie de vivre in your photography, especially in your travel book. Is there a method to go about finding these authentic moments?

Heath Robbins:  You are correct! I love it all. Food, lifestyle, travel, personal projects—it’s all exciting to me. Switching between different kinds of work keeps things fresh. I love the spontaneity of travel shoots, but I also love the collaboration that happens on a big commercial production. It’s the mix that keeps me inspired.  Traveling allows me to slow down and observe. There were times I would sit for hours just watching, waiting for something real to unfold. Other times, we were on the move—driving to new cities every day, chasing the light. It was a mix of active exploration and quiet observation. That balance fuels my creativity. It is important to be present in order to capture the beauty of our shared experiences. On a commercial set, you create the world so that intentional human interactions can happen, which will ultimately elevate your campaign.