A photo essay of women weavers in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, shot for Vision Guatemala.   Lake Atitlan is a magical part of Guatemala that draws many tourists who want to experience its reputed energy.  But for many women and families living in this area, life is tough and money is very scarce.  I shot this photo essay for Vision Guatemala, a small non-profit organisation that is working to help women find a source of income, offering micro-finance, training and community development.  In doing so, their tradition of weaving beautiful textiles can be kept alive.   Being fortunate to enter their homes and witness this amazing art gave me a deep appreciation for their skill in weaving.  The women I met have amazing talent and beautiful spirits.                   If you would like to see more photos that I have taken for non-profit organisations in South and Central America, please see my website at www.aliciafox.net/humanitarian-photography/ Read More
I was looking for a place to stop and do a bit of work and I wanted to make it a kind of retreat, to get my creative juices flowing.  Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is the perfect place for a photography and writing retreat.  I spent time at some beautiful hotels in Panajachel, San Pedro and San Macos – three different villages, all tranquil in their own way.  I was doing work for hotels while also working on my own projects. Here are a couple of shots from one beautiful sunrise I spent in San Pedro la Laguna. Lake Atitlan has risen dramatically this year and buildings, shelters and lakeside recreational areas such as the one above have become submerged.  Some of the local Mayans think the rising water is related to The 2012 Shift, some just blame the rain. These are the traditional fishing boats used by Mayan fishermen each morning on Lake Atitlan.  They spear the fish with reeds then take their catch home or sell them in their villages.  It’s beautiful to watch and a wonderful example of slow, simple living.   To see more of my travel photography, check out my website www.AliciaFoxPhotography.com Read More
This week I have been shooting photos of women weavers in Guatemala,  for an organisation called Vision Guatemala, a grass roots NGO that provides micro finance and support to women around Lake Atitlan and Guatemala. Above:  Cecilia is weaving a table runner in the style typical to San Pedro.  She spends a few hours weaving each day in between cleaning and making tortillas which she sells to her neighbours at lunch and dinner time.  In Guatemala tortillas sell at 3 for Q1, which is about 13 cents.  When she finishes weaving after 3-5 days, the table runner will sell for about $4.50. Camera Settings: 1/50sec, f/4, ISO 400, 28mm lens Above: The weaving loom, used by Guatemalan women. Camera Settings(Above): 1/50sec, f/2.8, ISO 800, 50mm lens  Camera Settings(Above): 1/50sec, f/2.8, ISO 400, 50mm lens Camera Settings(Above): 1/60sec, f/4, ISO 320, 24mm lens, flash (bounced off wall) Camera Settings (Above): 1/60sec, f/4, ISO 400, 65mm lens Take a look around my blog to see more of my NGO & Humanitarian photos.  I’ll have a new folio on my new website dedicated to the humanitarian projects I’ve been shooting over here in Central and South America. Thanks! Read More