Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cassidy Wayant. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cassidy , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Even at a young age, I have always felt a calling to make a greater impact on the planet. I felt pulled to the ocean, and I have spent the last year working for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to help make a difference in both the study and research of the Curiver Beaked whale and also working as a photographer aboard the Seahorse for the Milagro campaign which is fighting to save the Vaquita.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a photographer, I have always dreamed of doing more with my personal art. I started working freelance as both a photographer and a social media marketing writer. I specialized in portraits, lifestyle, weddings, and food. I have worked for high-profile clients such as Snooze or Megafoods. However, my life dream is not to help corporations make money or document personal historical events. While I do enjoy those things; I find that it is more important to me to make a difference in the world, so I choose to join Sea Shepherd, a non-profit organization working to save the oceans.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal is to raise awareness of what is happening in our oceans and how humans have affected our planet. While I am only just now starting out this journey, I hope to write articles and stories and publish images from these travels in the future.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

While this story may not show my resilience, it is part of the reason Sea Shepherd became an important avenue for me.

In 2017, I decided I wanted to across an ocean. I moved to Panama and became friends with a couple traveling to the Cayman Islands who invited me to come. On day 5 of our 9-day Caribbean crossing, and having not seen land for several days, nor any sealife, a styrofoam cooler nestled on a bed of seaweed floated by, there was nothing I could do to capture it, I could only sit and watch as it floated out to sea disappearing into the blue hazy sky. The next year, I spent sailing, spending time in Cuba and exploring the Cayman Islands, I met many old salts and heard stories about how the oceans used to be teaming with wild life as far as the eye could see, it was unbelievable to think that for 9 days all I saw were waves, sea weed, and trash. This is when I knew I wanted to do more.

Contact Info:

• Website: Cassidywayant.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/wayant_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayantphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidywayant/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecasscity

Image Credits
All photos are taken by me, Cassidy Wayant, for Sea Shepherd.