CURRENT MISSION

Enriching my life through meeting and helping others!

ABOUT ME

I grew up milking cows in the rural, art-starved area of northeastern Ohio, but was always dabbling in all things creative. When I was 16, I flew on a plane for the first time while traveling to Australia and New Zealand. I participated in practically every club in high school, played soccer, and ran track & field while keeping my grades up.

After 2 years of college, I needed more time to decide on a major, so I decided to enlist in the United States Air Force to see more of the world, become more independent, and learn more about myself. Over the course of the next ten years, I achieved all three of these.

While in the Air Force, I spent many hours flying training and combat sorties all over the world. Selected to work for NATO, I moved to Germany, flying missions with international crews and learning about different people and cultures from many parts of the world. While living and working in Europe, I took my camera everywhere with me and truly "found myself."

After my time in the military, I ventured off to the west coast to attend the prestigious Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara to explore light and composition. In 2012, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Professional Photography with a focus on Advertising Photography.

When I'm not cooking, doing a photo/video shoot, or attending cultural events, I can likely be found somewhere outdoors. Hiking. Camping. Exercising. Skiing. Swimming. Horseback riding. Relaxing at the beach. Buying locally-grown produce at the farmer's market. If there is fresh air somewhere, I will definitely find it. You can take the man out of the Great Outdoors, but you can't take the Great Outdoors out of the man!

PHILOSOPHY

A life's true value is reflected in the experiences it has had, the wisdom it has gleaned, and in the lives on which it has left a positive impact

www.facebook.com/mikeharnett
www.instagram.com/freudenschade
www.tofighthiv.org/goto/MikeHarnett

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Making connections and sharing experiences with awesome people from all over the world, and introducing them to my beautiful little corner of the planet.

Interests

A lover of life, family, friendships, photography, travel, and good food & drink!

• arts
• humanities
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• exercise
• drinking
• flying
• traveling
• eating out
• outdoor activities
• equestrian
• hiking
• camping
• skiing
• soccer
• track and field
• swimming
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Very eclectic tastes in all three of these!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Flew as a crew member over Iraq on one of the first United States Air Force combat sorties of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Teach, Learn, Share

Photography/Videography
Photo/Video Editing
Cooking

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States