Grant
Harder

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live in Vancouver, Canada with my wife and two children. I have a shared studio space two blocks from my house. This is where I have a work desk and a shooting space, if needed. When I am shooting, which is usually on location, I can be anywhere in the world I am asked to go. 

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

We are incredibly lucky to live near the mountains and the ocean. I love heading to North Vancouver to go on long runs in the mountains. I also like to cross town, from East Vancouver, to spend time at Jericho Beach with my family. 

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Vancouver has a large homeless population, much of it tied to mental health and addiction struggles. The crisis is concentrated in one part of the city, which makes it easy to look away but harder for people there to find a way out. It’s incredibly troubling, and while shelters help in the short term, what’s really needed are long-term solutions like supportive housing and better access to care.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

As a family that relies on a long-tail electric cargo bike to get our two kids around the city, I’m grateful for Vancouver’s growing network of bike lanes and cycling infrastructure. Safe, dedicated routes make it possible for more people to choose bikes with confidence, and that shift feels like real progress.

On the other hand, the cost of living here is staggering. A detached single-family home now averages over two million dollars, pushing many families out of the city. Vancouver is far from affordable and becoming more challenging by the year, with income disparity that’s both huge and glaring.

Another frustration—and not just in Vancouver—is the chronic underfunding of the public school system. With so much wealth in circulation, why aren’t children, teachers, and support staff made a top priority? Year after year it’s funding cuts, funding cuts, funding cuts. These issues are complex, but what could be more important than supporting the next generation?

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

Regarding local producers I love to mention Nathalee Paolinelli. She’s an artist that works in a few different mediums, one being ceramics. She creates fabulous tableware and vases—functional pieces that feel otherworldly yet remain grounded in nature.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

I feel particularly inspired by Sole Food Street Farms. They take vacant unused land, such as a parking lot, and turn it into a productive urban farm. The vegetables and fruit produced go to 30 local restaurants, are sold to the public and donated to the community, all while employing residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. 

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

I have long been in love with Birds & The Beets and their sister cafe, Hunnybee. Both locations sell one of my favorite cookies in the city—oat jam. And how do they make scrambled eggs taste so delicious? Down the block from Hunnybee (also down the street from me) is Harvest, a noodle soup cafe. I highly recommend the udon with coconut turmeric curry, tofu and shiitake. They also make my other favorite cookie—salted chocolate chip.  

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

One of the most interesting shops I’ve come across recently is Alterior – A Living Taste. It’s more than a shop though and closer to a hub of creativity and commerce. The space takes on many forms—clothing retailer and also producer, a place for pop up shops, seller of hard to find magazines and books, etc. 

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

Easily my favorite app is the Apple Music app and it would be tough to live without the Maps app. Sun Seeker is very helpful for shooting photos when decisions need to be made based on where the sun is going to be at certain times of day. 

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

We subscribe to the Sunday print edition of The New York Times which, of course, comes with The New York Times Magazine. This feels like a weekly miracle gift that somehow makes it’s way to our front door every weekend. I regularly get my news on the CBC app, Canada’s national public broadcaster. 

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

I’d love to see small, round-the-clock centres where people can get mental health help, detox, and harm-reduction support all under one roof. And instead of calling the police every time, we’d have more street teams with nurses and peers who know what it’s like to step in and actually help.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

It’s tough to choose between the mountains and the sea. I’ll go with the sea and choose one of the Gulf Islands near Vancouver—a property that has an abundance of light and a connection to nature with a forest, fruit trees and enough privacy that I can have an outdoor shower without offending any neighbours.