Our Team
Photographers and Videographers
Ellen Crystal
Inspired by a year-long trip through the Middle East with just a point-and-shoot camera, Ellen Crystal returned to Canada and dove into photography. Passionate about travel and humanitarian work, Ellen uses her camera as a tool for storytelling. In recent years, she has photographed for Seva in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nepal, Madagascar and Tanzania, and her photos are helping to start conversations, generate funding, and tell the story of Seva’s impact. As a photographer with full vision in only one eye, she feels particularly connected to Seva’s mission. Ellen specializes in documentary photography and editorial portraiture, and her photos have been published in local and international publications. Ellen lives on the Sunshine Coast.
Stephanie C. Glotman
Stephanie Glotman is a retired physician living in Vancouver, B.C. In her latest iteration, she is embracing a life of creativity and can be found with a camera in her hand. She enjoys making photographs in the streets around the world and strives (seeks) to tell compelling stories of humanity filled with dignity and hope.
Brian Harris
Brian Harris has produced some of Seva Canada’s most iconic images. His longtime involvement with the organization has opened many doors into new communities of supporters. Brian has used his award-winning photography and project management skills to raise funds and awareness for Seva Canada. The Tibetan Voices Project, India Eye to Eye Exhibition, Himalayan Visions and Beauty & Transformations multimedia shows each arose from his desire to support the people and traditions that inspire him. Brian began his lifelong pursuit and interest in photographing traditional cultures when he traveled to Mount Athos, Greece and then to Jerusalem at the age of 21. Subsequent trips have taken him to Tibet, Thailand, China, Korea, Sikkim, Nepal and India.
Dr. John Judson
Dr. John Judson is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and retired Presbyterian Minister for whom photography has been an almost 50-year passion.
During his 40-year ministry career he worked to create sustainable housing for the homeless in San Antonio, build Habitat Homes, create supportive communities for those with physical and mental disabilities, build schools in Kenya, and served as a mentor at a high poverty school in Pontiac, Michigan.
He holds a B.A. in economics and business from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and a Doctor of Ministry from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA.
He is married to Dr. Cindy, and proud parent of Andy and Katie (Seva Canada consultant), their spouses Charlotte and Brendan, and grandfather of Kieran.
Dr. Larry Louie
Dr. Larry Louie and his wife, Joanna Wong, have been incredibly supportive of Seva’s work. An Edmonton-based optometrist and international award-winning photographer, Dr. Larry Louie uses his compelling, world-class photographs to raise awareness and funds for Seva’s work. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Edmonton, Larry was educated as a doctor of optometry and now divides his time between his practice and his art. His work has received international recognition, with honours including an IPA – Lucie Award, a National Geographic photo essay award, and the Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) People’s Choice Award. Dr. Larry Louie has also compiled two books showcasing beautiful photographs of Tibet and Nepal; 100% of the proceeds from these books are donated to Seva Canada and used to restore sight and prevent blindness in both countries. Books are available only through Blurb.
Jon Kaplan
Jon Kaplan is an award-winning photographer who has been taking pictures since the day his father handed him a Polaroid camera when he was just six years old. His passion for the art of photography has taken him from the edge of the Sahara Desert to the highlands of Guatemala. It has taught him the simple beauty and true power of family and community in even the humblest of settings. His work has been published in both national and international magazines including The New York Times, The New Yorker and Camera Arts. Jon currently divides his time between his first love, travelling the world, and his home in the Bay Area. Seva supporters can also enjoy his captivating photographs in our greeting cards.
Darrell McKay
Darrell moved to Campbell River with his family in 1967 from England. He lived there until 1990 when he began his world travels. From 1991-1993 Darrell attended BCIT and worked in the forestry, engineering, and travel industries. He retired at 54 and now focuses on travelling internationally to help people in need through documentary photography. Darrell’s done several large photography projects in Africa, on behalf of Seva Canada and is hoping to return to Burundi in the near future. He’s also done five trips to the Ukraine to document its ongoing war with Russia and has raised over $70,000 to help provide both humanitarian and military aid. He continues to raise funds locally in Canada for the Ukrainian people but has been asked not to go back by his wife. Darrell is currently in the process of writing a book explaining the critical gaps that are filled in by volunteers along with the stories of the heroes he’s met overseas.
Matt Marek
Matt Marek is CSA nominated cinematographer located in Toronto, Canada. Kicking off his career as a Steadicam operator in 2001, Matt quickly learned how to move the camera to aid in storytelling.
By the mid 2000’s travelling was playing a key role in his career, getting sent to places like Thailand, India and Turkey to work on Canadian and International projects. From the Arctic to Africa and most recently the Amazon in Ecuador, Matt continues his journey in seeking out new stories to tell, and amazing people to work with.
With a keen eye for beautiful composition and capturing compelling moments,Matt has focused on the commercial, factual, and documentary world, and worked on multiple award-winning television series.
Richard Tran
Whether it’s documenting those with vision loss and blindness in Nepal, or struggling outer city kids of North Chicago, the impoverished favelas in São Paulo, Brazil, or the war torn city of Kabul, Afghanistan Rich is ready to take calculated risks to get the shot. Rich strives to merge the sciences and art, for a craft that is in a constant state of learning while knowing full well the emotion and story supersede all of it. Appreciates the beauty in the brutal honesty of mathematics and the immeasurable subjectivity of the arts.
Other Photographers
We are also extremely grateful to all of the following photographers who so generously share their talents to help tell the Seva story through their images: Ken Bassett, Madeleine Bassett, Deanne Berman, Geoff Oliver Bugbee, Johannes Burge, Paul Courtright, Aaron Cumming, David de Wit, Susan Erdmann, Rob Forbes, Rocque Goh, Karl Grobl, David Hardouin, Diane Hardouin, Linda Harth, Jon Kaplan, Janette Lindley, Susan Lindley, Matt Marek, Peter Mortifee, Peter Nash, Julie Nestingen, Paolo Patruno, Mae Pratt-Johnson, Praful Lal Shrestha, Mark Sissons, Marty Spencer, Laura Spencer, and Andrea Weckman.
