Randy Robbins has pursued his passion for photography for many years, and with the recent purchase of a historic building in uptown Susanville, he finally has a place to display and sell his art.
Robbins, and his wife Jill, recently purchased what was once the Oakes and Philbrook building on the corner of Main and Gay Streets (facing Pancera Plaza).
Built in 1901, the building was occupied by the Bank of Lassen County beginning in 1913 and has housed many prominent local businesses in the years since, including the Lassen County Times.
Remodeling the building to house Jill’s law practice, the couple set aside the front portion of the building as a gallery for Randy’s photography.
“A Thousand Windows” comes from a John Muir quote that Robbins has always found inspirational in his work: “Oh these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, inciting at once to work and rest! Days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God.”
Randy’s photography focuses mainly on wildlife, landscapes, night skies, and camera trapping. He has grown a rather large social media following and has found recognition for his photography by obtaining some rare and difficult images.
His work has been featured in Outdoor California Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, The San Fransisco Chronicle, Adventure Cyclist Magazine, and The Journal of Wildlife Photography, in addition to many local publications like the annual Lassen County Visitor’s Guide. He also recently became an FAA licensed commercial remote pilot, adding aerial photography using a drone to his quiver.
Robbins captured one of the first close-up high-resolution images of a gray wolf in California, spending two years researching and tracking our local Lassen Pack. He has photographed mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, and many other local wildlife “stars,” including spending many years pursuing local bald eagles, mostly at Antelope Lake.
Last summer he shared a river with grizzly bears in Alaska and brought home some incredible images of North America’s most fearsome predator. He won the coveted California Wildlife Photo of the Year contest in 2019 and is the only photographer who has had two images selected as finalists in that contest in the same year, something he has accomplished for the past two years in a row.
Randy’s gallery features several large format Chromaluxe metal prints, which showcase his images in a stunningly vibrant, sharp format. He also prints his own canvas and fine art prints in various custom sizes and formats.
“It’s exciting to be able to contribute some beauty to uptown Susanville, and to show off this place that I love so much through my photography,” Randy says. “We live in an amazing part of California, and being able to show people the beauty around us is a privilege.”
A Thousand Windows is located at 800 Main St. in Susanville. Current hours are 11:00 to 4:00 Monday through Thursday. The gallery is also open by appointment, just email [email protected], or message Randy Robbins Photography on Facebook to set up a time.
Randy’s facebook page can be found at facebook.com/randyrobbinsphotography and his website is randyrobbinsphotography.com
