Far North Queensland photographer Mitchell Burns has attracted millions of views with breathtaking landscapes, daring animal rescues and a physique that has left social media followers ready to risk the Australian wilderness.
Mitchell Burns spends his days travelling through some of Australia’s wildest landscapes, searching for extraordinary scenery and memorable encounters with native animals.
For many of his social media followers, however, the scenery is only part of the attraction.
The 32-year-old Far North Queensland photographer has built a sizeable online audience by combining his striking images and wildlife knowledge with an adventurous personality — and a set of impressively maintained biceps.
Burns has even been compared with fellow Australian wildlife pin-up Robert Irwin, although he is quick to dismiss any suggestion that the pair occupy the same territory.
“Yeah, it’s been brought up a few times, but the Irwin family are in a league of their own and I’m certainly not trying to be them,” Burns told news.com.au.
“I’m just a regular bloke who cares about wildlife.”
He does concede that they share a powerful enthusiasm for Australia’s natural world.
“If there’s one similarity, it’s probably the passion!” he said. “They have an incredible passion for Australia’s wildlife, and I have that same dedication to showcasing Australia’s wild places, landscapes and animals through photography.”
From the Coal Mines to the Camera
Burns’ relationship with nature began during his rural Queensland upbringing, when encounters with snakes, lizards and other animals were an ordinary part of life.
Born in Mareeba, he spent much of his childhood and adolescence in Bluff, a small Central Queensland mining town. He entered the coal industry at 18 and spent about a decade working in mining before committing to photography full-time.
“I grew up in the country, so seeing snakes, lizards and other wildlife was just part of everyday life,” he said.
“These days I use my platform to share the wildlife encounters and rescues that happen while I’m out on the road.”
Photography remained a passion throughout Burns’ mining career, but pursuing it professionally did not initially feel like a realistic option. Eventually, he decided to leave the security of the industry and back himself creatively.
Burns believes his followers have connected not only with the finished photographs, but also with the personal journey behind them.
“People follow me for all sorts of reasons. My Instagram has never just been about landscape photography or wildlife,” he explained.
“It’s really about sharing who I am, where I’ve come from, and the journey along the way. When I first shared my story about leaving the mines to chase photography full-time, that’s when things really took off.
“I think people connect with someone having a crack at following a dream.”
Followers Are Enjoying More Than the Wildlife
Judging by Burns’ comment sections, plenty of people are also connecting with the photographer himself.
His outdoor adventures frequently attract enthusiastic responses from followers admiring both the Australian landscape and the man standing in front of it.
“Thank you sir, for not skipping leg days,” one particularly grateful admirer wrote.
Another suggested Burns looked like the hypothetical offspring of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Steve Irwin, while others compared him with Tarzan and announced their immediate intention to relocate to Australia.
“I would venture to the bushes of Australia for you only,” one follower declared. “I’d feel so safe in those arms.”
Sadly for anyone already checking flights across the Tasman, Burns is off the market.
He regularly travels with his partner, fellow wildlife creative Jessie Stenhouse, as the pair document Australia’s animals, landscapes and remote communities.
A Roadside Rescue Reaches Millions
Alongside photography and the occasional social media thirst trap, Burns and Stenhouse use their platform to demonstrate how members of the public can help injured wildlife.
A recent video showing Burns rescuing an owl from the side of a highway attracted more than 8.5 million views.
“I caught something in the corner of my eye while doing 100 km/h,” he recalled.
“So I ran over and picked him up, and he didn’t even flinch. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.”
Burns and Stenhouse wrapped the injured bird in a towel and took it to the nearest veterinary clinic. The owl was diagnosed with a concussion and later recovered.
Burns said the incident could easily have ended differently had another vehicle struck the bird before they stopped.
“I think it’s an important message to encourage people to take a few minutes out of their day to stop and help an injured animal if they safely can,” Burns said.
“The response is always incredibly positive, which tells me people genuinely care about our wildlife and love seeing those moments.”
Bringing Audiences Closer to the Wild
As his following continues to grow, Burns plans to keep turning his travels through Australia into stories that connect viewers with the country’s wildlife and landscapes.
His decision to walk away from a decade-long mining career has already opened opportunities he once considered unimaginable, including media appearances, major creative collaborations and the publication of his memoir, Life, Camera, Action.
“My platform has opened doors I never imagined possible, and I’m excited to share what’s still to come,” he said.
“I want to keep telling stories that connect people to Australia’s landscapes, wildlife and the people who call these places home.”
The landscapes are spectacular, the animals deserve protecting, and Burns clearly knows how to hold an audience.
Followers can find him on Instagram at @mitchellburns_.
