David Heberlein retired as professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin System at River Falls. His teaching career spanned thirty years and upwards of a thousand photography students.

His photographs allude to an interest in culture and geography; how we interact with nature, and each other, to create a sense of place. Photographic interests include national park lands and wilderness areas, transitional zones between rural and suburban spaces, a decommissioned army ammunition plant, Switzerland, and Scotland.

His first monograph,Park Place Out West, was published in June 2023.

Heberlein is the recipient of many awards and grants. His photographs have been exhibited widely and are in the collections of the Minnesota History Center, Weisman Art Museum, Plains Art Museum, and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

He lives with his wife, Judy, in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. Eva, their daughter, is living in Duluth, Minnesota.