After studying Geography at Oxford, Sheil began his career in the early 1970s as a photojournalist covering “the Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Here he became associated with the New York picture agency Black Star, and over thirty years later he is still in the fortunate position of being paid to do what he loves doing – taking photographs. Sheil has visited over 60 countries around the world, working for a wide range of clients such as ABC-TV, BBC, Anti-Slavery International, British Red Cross, European Commission, National Geographic, The New York Times, Shell, Time and Time Life.