We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sher Harvey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sher below.
Sher , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Experiencing adversity can help us develop resilience. As someone who has Type 1 Diabetes, I’ve had to bounce back and move forward from this chronic illness since I was 15, every single day. Now in my 50s, I’ve learned that this practice has been a major factor in my ability to cope with challenges. Wearing external devices like an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor on my arms also makes me more aware of the struggles of others. When I’m out taking photos and wearing these devices, and people notice them, there is an unspoken strength in realizing we all have challenges. Even on tough days, interacting with strangers, smiling, and laughing at myself gives me the courage and strength to keep going. Through my own experiences, I’ve realized that every single one of us faces challenges and obstacles in life. But it’s important to remember that these struggles can help us become stronger and more resilient. We can use life’s silly hazards to our advantage and find the strength to overcome them, leaving those little devils in the dust.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Photography has always been my way of meeting new people, learning about new cultures, and experiencing new things. But it has become more than just a passport to new experiences. It’s a powerful tool for creating awareness and understanding among different cultures, communities, and countries. It helps me make sense of the commonalities that we share in this world. As I grew older, I realized that I wanted to use my photography skills to advocate for the natural world. I have a responsibility to the subjects I shoot to amplify their story and highlight the issues we face in this age of the Anthropocene. I aim to raise awareness about environmental and cultural issues, highlight solutions and efforts, and inspire positive change.
I live in Silicon Valley, California, where I work as a teacher, writer, and photographer. I have an MA in Fiction and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction and Travel Writing. I am passionate about animal photography and conservation, which has taken me on many exciting journeys. In May 2023, I spent a month living with a sociocracy in Spain to study water conservation and make a short documentary film about it, which is still in production. In February 2022, I spent a month documenting the work of the Soi Dog Foundation, a grassroots organization that rescues dogs and cats in Phuket. I wrote a short documentary film about my experience which won awards at the S.O.F.A. International Film Festival. In February 2020, I spent a month observing wild orangutans in Borneo. Advocating for the planet, the people, and the animals that we share it with is my purpose in life.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Open-mindedness is number one. Being receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences has helped me adapt to changing situations, learn from others, and make informed decisions. It also fosters creativity and innovation by allowing me to consider alternative solutions and approaches to problems. I have always wanted to travel and take pictures, and I have found innovative ways to make this happen. Photographers Without Borders, Orangutan Odysseys, and meeting other like-minded photographers and brave spirits have provided me with fulfilling work beyond my wildest imagination.
Empathy is the capacity to understand and share the feelings and perspectives of others. This quality has enhanced my interpersonal relationships and communication skills because it allows me to connect with people on a deeper level, build trust, and offer support when needed. It has also made me a more compassionate and effective leader both in the classroom and in the field.
And lastly, creativity drives me. Starting off as a writer in my first college degree, and then using that skill to tell stories as a photographer and teacher helps us all connect. At the end of the day, we all want the same things: connection and a safe place to be for ourselves and our loved ones to make the world a better place. Our stories are all very similar. Once we see the value in others’ stories, we come to realize that storytelling is a versatile and powerful tool that serves various functions in human society…communication, education, preservation of culture, entertainment, and fostering empathy and understanding is the key to saving our planet. Stories have the capacity to inform, inspire, and connect people on multiple levels. If we can listen and connect, we can learn from each other.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always open to collaboration with fellow creatives who share a passion for visual storytelling as a way to help save the planet and the animals and people that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. I believe that collaboration can lead to incredibly unique and powerful projects that push the boundaries of our craft and help find solutions for the environmental challenges we are all facing.
I’m particularly interested in working with:
–Sponsors and co-creators that can help move my vision of bringing awareness of the dangers we are all facing to the world at large.
–Writers and Screenwriters: Strong storytelling is at the core of my work. If you have a knack for crafting compelling narratives, let’s team up to create visually stunning stories that resonate with our audience.
–Cinematographers and Directors of Photography: For film projects, I’m interested in partnering with talented DPs who share my vision for human connection through cinematic excellence. Together, we can bring our creative ideas to the screen.
If you’re reading this and share my passion for visual storytelling, I encourage you to reach out. You can connect with me through www.sherricoyote.com or @sherricoyote. Let’s discuss our ideas, inspirations, and potential collaborations. I’m excited to hear from fellow creatives and explore the limitless possibilities of our combined talents to save our planet and all the animals and people who need a little help. I am heading to Namibia next, but am open to projects involved with writing, filming, and sharing stories of our wild world and wild animals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sherricoyote.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherricoyote/
