Humanitarian Photographer
Steven Wade Adams DVM, PhD
“During the development of the documentary on San Diego Community Birth Center, Steve collaborated with my staff and members of our community as a respectful and empathetic partner, patiently listening to their input and validating their concerns. Steve artfully and compassionately created the building blocks which were beautifully woven together to highlight the ongoing injustice and senseless tragedy of the Black Maternal Health Crisis while also creating a sense of beauty, hope and celebration for our community.”
- Nikki Helms, Lead Midwife & Clinical Director, San Diego Community Birth Center
Early Career and Influences
Long before I began my serious pursuit of humanitarian photography and film, I was fascinated by a wide range of topics in biology and anthropology. Within my photographic work, I often revisit social themes that consider our shared humanity as well as the diverse cultural attributes that provide each of us unique identity and pride.
As a young veterinary student at the University of California, at Davis, I had the privilege to be part of a small group of students from around the world who came together to pursue a unique graduate program in veterinary epidemiology. One of our most notable professors was the legendary Calvin Schwabe, who is often referred to as the father of veterinary epidemiology. Dr. Schwabe was a great storyteller and prescient veterinarian who was intensely dedicated to the concept of “One Medicine” - which later transitioned to the term “One Health”.
The central axiom of One Medicine/One Health is that human and animal health are inseparable, both based on the same medical/biological paradigm and highly interdependent upon one other. Dr. Schwabe made us think deeply as to the very rationale for the origin and value of veterinary medicine.
The wisdom Dr. Schwabe shared both in class and during smaller intimate gatherings at his home demonstrated his clarity of vision and intense commitment to an expanded view of veterinary medicine as well as the essential intersection of human and veterinary health.
I am forever indebted for the honor and privilege of being challenged by his intellectual foresight and guidance. Much of what Dr. Schwabe taught resonated with me deeply throughout my entire career as the pursuit of health for humans and animals both have played important roles. Only later in my career did I come to realize that One Health has been a central theme and philosophy throughout most of my adult life, even if I rarely thought of it in these exact terms.
Humanitarian and Non-Profit Photographer
As I advanced my photographic and visual story-telling skills, I gravitated to photographing people with a goal of capturing emotion and empowerment. The application of this skill where I found the greatest fulfillment was in the realm of humanitarian and non-profit photography which has allowed me to leverage my scientific and veterinary medical training and create content that has social impact.
Working with NGOs, non-profits and other humanitarian organizations dedicated to health, healthy equity, climate adaptation and other social causes, I seek to tell meaningful and empowering stories of people and health of all species and the entire planet.
Photographing people - especially in their enviornments, is personally and deeply meaningful to me, as it is our shared humanity that I seek to capture in my images. The most rewarding application of this passion is within the realm of humanitarian photography.
For more than a decade I have travelled to many locations around the world on non-profit photography assignments and personal humanitarian photography projects alike. Here on my site, I share my passion and purpose along with some notable examples of humanitarian assignments I have completed around the world.
It is my personal mission for my photography to be more than zeros and ones on a hard drive but instead ensure they are fully leveraged to drive impact by creating awareness, understanding, and action by stakeholders and social change. Key to achieving this goal is a strong focus on treating subjects as respected and empowered collaborators.
Non-Profit Strategic Communications
As a scientist and medical professional, I bring unique in-depth appreciation and technical understanding to a wide range of programs in health and global development.
As an experienced executive and board member at non-profits, I leverage more than 30 years of experience in strategic planning to strengthen alignment with your core mission. I have previously served as a board member for Project Concern International (PCI) and am a founding member of a non-profit dedicated to children’s hygiene and health in Myanmar (Burma).
Visual Storytelling Photographer
As a skilled and passionate artist, I am committed to visual storytelling that evokes powerful emotional responses and inspires your customers, donors, volunteers and intended beneficiaries.
My extensive experience in strategy and strategic planning within the health sector combined with practical experience in international development provides me with unique abilities to more fully collaborate with your strategic communication team in the creation of your communication strategies and leverage a shared vision when on assignment as a cultural and humanitarian photographer and filmmaker.
Such collaborations maximize the value proposition for non-profit organizations by ensuring the creation of shared communication objectives which ultimately enables the creation of unique, personal and compelling visual stories that align with your strategic communication objectives.
