My Pivot From Global Development Strategist to Fine Art Photographer

How I used the skills from a humanitarian career to build something completely new

I am Sandy Coburn and for over a decade, I led strategic communications for USAID-funded global development projects in environmental, humanitarian, global health, and innovation sectors.

I translated complexity into clarity, often supporting colleagues during high-pressure moments—when they needed talking points for high-profile officials, an unanticipated visit from diplomats, or rapid preparation for global conferences—all while managing a talented international communications team.

Throughout it all, I carried a camera.

Photography has always been part of my work—a way to document the people and places shaping our world. Clients praised my images for their resonance; one USAID client called them “the gift that keeps on giving.”

But photography remained a side story. Until now.

Why I Pivoted

When the global development sector fell apart earlier this year, my life’s work was upended. Like many of you, I faced what felt like an impossible situation—work I cared deeply about and had built a career around was suddenly gone.

In that moment, I leaned on the same advice we often gave in development: assess the skills you have and how to position yourself to move forward using the tools in front of you.

For me, photography had always been more than a hobby—it was a parallel thread running through my career, a way to document people and places with respect and care. It was the skill I could carry forward when my professional foundation shifted.

I’d already built a library of images from some of the world’s most remote and culturally rich places—some captured while traveling for work and many others planned independently, using the skills I’d built to access remote regions, connect with local networks, and capture surreal landscapes, animal personalities, and cultural histories.

So, I took a big leap and invested in myself: tapping into savings, building a professional portfolio website, acquiring art representation, and participating in exhibitions.

Building a Photography Business

Client work in fine art photography looks very different from global development communications. My focus now is on attracting art buyers, curators, and values-aligned organizations. My strategy combines:

• A curated online portfolio

• Gallery exhibitions and art fairs

• Networking (both in-person and online)

• Representation within the art world

This isn’t an overnight success story—it’s a gradual build rooted in relationships and reputation. But every step feels purposeful because it aligns with my vision.

What About the Money?

Let’s be honest: leaving a steady paycheck is scary. I’m currently in an investment phase—using my safety net to fund the time, materials, and outreach required to build momentum. I’m applying all the marketing, storytelling, and strategic planning skills I honed in global development to position my work.

One thing I bring that feels unique is perspective: I’ve photographed remote, difficult-to-access locations and communities with care and respect.

These aren’t stock photos or easy-to-reach scenes—they’re immersive stories from the far corners of the world. That perspective, I hope, will become my signature as an artist and eventually translate into establishing a clientele.

How My Old Career Prepared Me

My time in global development prepared me in ways I didn’t expect.

Years of travel to remote places across the globe, working across cultures, and navigating uncertainty gave me the skills to operate independently as an artist.

Whether it’s planning a complex shoot in Tibet or building partnerships in an unfamiliar community in Chile, I rely on the same adaptive thinking I once used in high-pressure projects.

How It Feels Compared to Before

My years in global development were meaningful and deeply rewarding.

I witnessed firsthand how access to tools, education, and opportunity can create a multiplier effect—where individuals became changemakers in their own communities and inspired growth far beyond their own lives. Capturing those stories through photography was one of the greatest privileges of my life.

What I do now is different.

As an artist, I’m no longer documenting change programs or policy milestones—I’m creating work that invites people to connect emotionally with the world’s beauty and complexity. It’s a different kind of impact, one rooted in perspective and storytelling rather than direct intervention.

While the financial side is still taking shape, the creative autonomy and emotional resonance of this work are deeply fulfilling. And I carry forward a profound gratitude for every person who allowed me to tell their story along the way.

Lessons Learned (So Far)

• Expect uncertainty. Income may dip before it stabilizes. Create a plan and build a runway.

• Leverage your skills. Whatever you did before has transferable value. Think beyond the title to the core of what you valued in your work and what skills drove you to create an impact.

• Treat it like a startup. Networking, marketing, and persistence matter. This is your reboot.

• Know your why. Purpose is what keeps you going when it gets hard. Pause and reflect to make sure you aren’t making panicked decisions, but are driving yourself forward with intention.

A Message for Anyone Facing Change

I know I’m not alone—most of us are facing a future where the careers that meant so much to us are now behind us. The work we poured ourselves into has changed, and in some cases, disappeared altogether.

That’s a hard reality to face, and I felt it too.

For me, the slowdown in the sector became a moment to step back and ask what I wanted to build next—and how I could use the skills I’d already gained to do it.

If you’re in the middle of your own pivot, take stock of those unique skills. In global development, we learned to navigate complexity, adapt to change, and deliver results under pressure. Those skills are powerful tools when building something new.

This isn’t the easy route, but it’s possible—and it’s worth exploring. The work you’ve already done might just be the foundation for something entirely new.