Sej Saraiya uses photography to share human stories and to inspire change. For more than 10 years, she has traveled to some of the most hidden parts of the world to document the beauty, resilience, and dignity of indigenous people. As a speaker and activist, she uses her voice to amplify the stories of the people she photographs and the causes she believes in.
Sej regularly delivers keynote speeches and moderates panels at conferences, museums, corporations, and university campuses.
Sej’s natural charisma and grounded, down-to-earth presence allow audiences to connect directly with her and the people whose stories she shares. Her talks take audiences on a journey into the heart of what makes us human.
Whether she is speaking on the inherent oneness or indigenous wisdom, the thread that runs through all of her talks is the unwavering conviction that we are all one family, no matter our origins, backgrounds or circumstances, and that wherever and whenever we can embrace this kinship is when positive change becomes possible, for ourselves, our communities, and the world.
Sej speaks on the following topics:
Stories that Show Us Our Oneness – Raised under the dichotomizing cultures of Sanatana Dharma and Bollywood, the deeper meaning of the concept of Advaita or non-duality was a big question in Sej’s life. Her journey started out in search for oneness and her photographs reflect it. Bringing to life Sej’s riveting images documenting remote cultures around the world, this talk shines a light on the inherent oneness that exists within all living beings. With intimate stories, Sej ignites a dialogue and inspires her audience to open their hearts and minds to the intangible concept of non-duality.
Wisdom in Indigenous Cultures – A deep dive via stories into the many forms of wisdom and mindfulness practiced by indigenous peoples, from the interiors of Sulawesi to the Himalayas, the Chin Mountains to the Venezuelan Amazon, the inherent collectivism, community, and relationship of reciprocity with nature and all living beings around them, this talk is a meditation on the relevance of their daily lives and traditions to a modern world in which we are simultaneously more connected and somehow more lonely than ever, and what we can learn from these cultures who haven’t forgotten the old ways.
Reviving a Vanishing World – As climate change increasingly impacts our world, indigenous environments and communities are responding and adapting in unique ways. Sej shares the stories of these individuals and communities so that their lives and traditions will not be forgotten — and more importantly, so that they can serve to inspire a renewed interest in preserving their legacies for generations to come.
What others have to say about Sej’s talks:
“As soon as I walked into the theater lobby, I was mesmerized by the larger-than-life portraits of people from places and cultures I didn’t know existed. I couldn’t take my eyes off the magnificent faces so perfectly captured by the photographer. I felt I was looking into their souls, her subjects speaking to me without words.”
- Micki Dickoff, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
“When I first encountered [Sej’s] photos, I was absolutely stunned. Her photos have that unique storytelling aspect that is extremely rare to find in a photographer. These photos are not just the beauty of light or composition, of which she is an expert, but they go deeper and speak to an issue and a story of people that is begging to be heard.”
- Adam Schomer, Award-winning Director, and Producer of the documentary HEAL
“In looking at Sej’s photos and reading what she’s written about the people and places she visits, it is clear that she understands these ancient cultures because she is in touch with something deep and ancient in herself. It is easy to see that her success in reaching out to vanishing cultures and indigenous people (and others), is also based on her natural respect for people and cultures, a sharp and curious mind that understands what she is hearing and experiencing, and a natural giving quality that makes people feel she is on their side and appreciating them. All of these contribute to her success as a photographer and to why her work is so well and deeply received.”
- Jeffrey Ainis, Editor, Writer, former Associate Editor at Hollywood Reporter
“Sej brings a very distinctive wisdom to this world. This is the wisdom of being rooted in a place. It is the wisdom of being aware of connections around the world. Her photographs are not merely objects to look at. They take you on distinctive journeys to places and people's lifeworlds across the globe. I have felt removed from reality and deeply rooted in the reality at once by looking at many of her creations. Sej's work became even more engaging for me as I interacted with her in course of conversations about religion through photographs at my university. My undergraduate and graduate students found her work deeply instructive and reflective about world cultures.
Sej is so at-ease with different age ranges. We invited her to Culture Journeys Summer Camp to share her wisdom about world cultures through photos. Her presentation and storytelling became an instant hit among K-12 students who were in the camp. Sej's passion for particularity, compassion towards humanity, and eagerness to share her wisdom with the world make her a great artist.”
- Mugdha Yeolekar, Associate Professor, California State University of Fullerton, Founder of Culture Journeys Summer Camp
