Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan S Harris
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m from Joliet, Illinois, a small town right outside of Chicago, Illinois. I grew up a midwest kid, and, eventually went on to get my degree in Broadcast Communications, and Journalism, from Illinois State University.
I always wanted to have, or be apart of a media platform that was known for shedding light on Entertainment, Fashion Lifestyle, Politics, and Of course, Music. I moved to San Diego, in 2006, and since then, have worked with some of the top platforms in the city, including Modern Luxury, 944 (Back in the day), and now, currently I’m the Media Director for the first ever Rap, Hip Hop and Reggae Chef Fest in San Diego.
Over the years, I have been the house photographer for some of the hottest venues within the last 15 years of San Diego’s growing hospitality and entertainment scene.
Now, I’m currently the Curator for fashionlifestylephotography.com and the Chief Content Officer for UrbanSociety.Life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
With anything you want in life, there have and will definitely been struggles, but over all, seeing as I’m not from San Diego, and was able to accomplish what I have, I’d say, it was all worth it. Yes, it was challenging, and I’ve been in situations where I was trying to figure out how things will get done, but, Ive also been in situations where, I couldn’t believe I was stressing out over something that wasn’t as big of a deal as I perceived it to be.
The key is to progress is to keep moving, regardless of the obstacles. Motion creates a motion. Stay in motion. Stay moving, stay creating. Stay VISIBLE.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Photographer, Media Director, Blogger, Content Consultant, and digital journalist for many media outlets, locally and on a national level.
What sets me apart is the ability to take on all forms of media. I can host, I can shoot, I can produce, I can edit, and I can direct any type of media scenario that needs to be distributed. My experience in the field of mass media, has also led me down the path of starting to be a leader, and speaker in the media education field as well. I’ve given lectures at a few different schools, and have been doing so, on and off since my days working at Jerry Springer (RIP to my old Boss), as well as being an adolescent health counselor at the Will County Health Department.
I can say, the journey has been a long, yet consistent, very fun ride.
If I had to categorize what I’m known for, it would be, “being everywhere”. People always say, “Wow, I see this dude, Ivan S. Harris, or ISH, everywhere.”
I can be covering an event in South East San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Downtown San Diego, LA, NY, and as we all know, Vegas can be a second home for many San Diegans.
I may be seen popping up at an elite red carpet event or runway, or being in the grind with the activists. For me, it’s all just part of “getting the shot.”
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Seeking out of like minded individuals that do what you want do do is always a benefit. I personally believe, if you want to be a brick layer, you have to go where they lay bricks, and you should probably meet and get in with the brick layers. When I first moved to San Diego, I had two mentors. I saw them both doing what I wanted to do, and I just let it be known that I wanted to learn from them, and they took me under their wings. I still actively work with one of my mentors from time to time. Building relationships is the key.
Networking. To me is simple. If you want to work in a particular environment, go frequent in that environment. Go talk to people that work in that environment. I wanted to be in the fashion niche more, so I started going to more Fashion centric spaces, and now I get invited to Fashion Lifestyle based events.
Pricing:
- Prices can vary, depending on a few variables.
- Do you need social media content?
- Do you need Social Media Managament?
- Do You Need a High Resolution Photographer?
- Do you need all the above? We have packages for an All inclusive, monthly rate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ivansharris.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivansharrisphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivansharrisphotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivansharris/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ivansharris6
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ivan-s-harris-photography-san-diego
- Other: www.fashionlifestylephotography.com
Image Credits
@artwurqz, @HBphotos.co, @IvanSHarrisPhotography, @fashionlifestylephotography
