Why be an “Eco Photographer”?

September 16, 2013 aliciafox Eco Photography, Eco Tips, Ethical Photography, Humanitarian Photography, NGO photography, Peru, Photography Tips, portrait, South America Photos, Travel Photography, Volunteering Latin America, Wellness Photographer tags: amazon portraits, amazon tribes, Australian tribe photographer, eco photographer, eco photographer australia, eco photographer sydney, eco photography, eco photography australia, eco photography sydney, ethical photographer, ethical photography, green photographer, green photography, humanitarian photo, humanitarian photographer, humanitarian photographer australia, humanitarian photographer latin America, humanitarian photographer peru, humanitarian photographer sydney, humanitarian photographs, indigenous amazon, indigenous tribes, indigenous tribes peru, latin American tribes, marrickville photographer, marrickville photography, newtown photographer, newtown photography, ngo photographer, npo photographer, npo photographer Australia, npo photographer Sydney, peru amazon, peru amazon photos, peru amazon tribes, peru portraits, peru tribes, peruvian amazon, petersham photographer, petersham photography, photographer petersham, photography petersham, photos of Amazonian tribes, photos of peru, photos of the amazon, portraits of the disappearing amazon, professional ngo photographer, professional photos of peru, professional photos of peru amazon, professional tribe photographer, sacred amazon, sustainable photographer, sustainable photography, sydney, sydney eco photographer, sydney eco photography, Sydney ethical photographer, Sydney ethical photography, Sydney tribe photographer, Sydney wellness photographer, Sydney wellness photography, tradition peru, traditional dress, traditional dress peru, traditional peru, tribe photographer, tribe portraits, tribes of the amazon, wellness photography Sydney 0 comments
Being an Eco Photographer means reducing the environmental impact of every aspect of my business, and working with (i.e. producing photos for) clients that have a positive impact on the environment.     I was trying to formulate an explanation as to why I’ve decided to be an “Eco Photographer” and what this actually means.  Then one day three things happened to me and I became so impassioned that I did what anyone would do… I got on my soapbox (i.e. my personal Facebook wall) and shared what I was feeling with my friends and family.  I received such an overwhelmingly supportive response that I decided to include my little story on this blog.  It gives you an idea of how I live my personal life, which crosses over into my business life.  So here it is:   I don’t often put unhappy things on Facebook but I feel the need to share this today  It has 3 parts, and hopefully is inspiring: 1. James came home and told me, with a smile, that he had a song stuck in his head all day, the song of some beautiful girls from the Ashaninka tribe we stayed with by Ene River, in […] Read More
My photos and I are being featured on fivepointfive.org and I think you should check it out, here.  You’ll gain an insight into my project Portraits of The Disappearing Amazon, a 3 month journey which will changed my life.  You can also get the background story on some of my favourite portraits from the project, and the beautiful people within them.   Five Point Five is about inspiring you to do those things that you will remember with satisfaction for the rest of your life.  They are all about travel, lifestyle and making a positive difference in the world – 3 things that are really important to me too.  The website offers information and mini documentaries on volunteering overseas, as well as travel resources and inspiration.  So go get inspired…   Portraits of the Disappearing Amazon by Alicia Fox Read More
After 4 years on the road (travelling through Japan and North, Central and South America) I have returned to Australia and decided to keep the adventures rolling by setting up in a brand new city. Sydney is my new home and I’m so excited about the opportunities ahead.  My photography will still be centred around bohemian fashion, portraiture and humanitarian photography, and I am specialising in photographing for brands of a sustainable and ethical nature. I’m enjoying networking with the other Sydney creatives, and inspiring each other’s ideas for photographic projects.  I’m also enjoying the lifestyle opportunities available here – yoga, dance, art, sub-cultures, and the fantastic organic markets that I’ve discovered in the Inner West.  www.organicfoodmarkets.com.au     I’d love to hear from anyone who is looking for a Sydney based photographer for an upcoming photography project.  Please feel free to contact me and I’ll get straight back to you to.  Enjoy the beautiful weather! Read More
 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
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
Comalapa, Guatemala “You have to ask before you take a photo of anyone here. A Japanese woman didn’t ask and she got stoned to death.” That was my introduction to Comalapa, a small town, unmarked on the Guatemalan tourist map. I usually ask before I take someones photo, but sometimes that ruins the moment and I (respectfully) want to get a shot before they are aware that I even exist. After the above advice though, I got the feeling that the locals here aren’t really into being the subjects of documentary photography, so I’m going to ask everybodies permission before I take photos of them. This morning my friend Loren needed to do some washing and asked me if I wanted to go to the public laundry with him. A lot of people around here don’t have the water or facilities to wash clothes in their own home so the women come together and wash communally. It’s such a wonderful and unique cultural experience and I’d been attracted to Guatemala’s outdoor laundries since I first saw them. ……… I got chatting to this beautiful lady, Chejina (above), while Loren was washing his clothes. Chejina told me she goes there most […] Read More
I am thrilled to have an article printed in SURFGIRL Magazine, the raddest womens surf mag in The UK. The article is about my travels and photography work/lifestyle around Central America. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think at info@aliciafox.net and if you’d like to see more photos of Central America visit my website. Read More
My Article in EOS magazine EOS magazine is a great photography publication coming out of the UK, focused on the technical side of photography and specifically of Canon EOS cameras. I wanted to write an account of my experiences volunteering in Latin America, thinking it would appeal to EOS readers. The editor Angela August agreed and offered me a two page spread in the Nov 2011 issue. When the article went to print, it ended up as four pages. I was really pleased to receive an email from Angela saying “Very many thanks for your contribution. I must compliment you on your fantastic pics, sparkling, well-targeted copy and generally getting everything to me on time and in sensible order. You made my job very easy!” I put a lot of effort in to making the article as polished as possible, so it’s so nice to hear I could make Angela’s job easier. Here is a copy of the article. ……………. I love getting feedback, so please leave any of your comments here on email me at info@aliciafox.net If you’d like to see more of my NGO photography, please check out my website www.AliciaFoxPhotography.com Read More
Antony Ledezma Mendin & The Bethlehem Youth Club – A photo shoot for Opportunity Nicaragua When Antony was eight years old his parents divorced, and his family disintegrated around him. Antony’s mother is Costa Rican, but his farther is Nicaraguan. When the family broke down Antony’s father returned to Nicaragua, forcibly taking Antony with him. They moved to the Nicaraguan Capital of Managua and shared a house with Antony’s grandmother. Life at home was tough, and the family relationship was strained. Antony rebelled. He fought with his father and grandmother, who also fought with each other. At a young age he began experimenting with drugs, smoking and drinking, by 12 he decided living on the streets was better than at home. He ran away. Antony lived on the streets with a group of friends. They stuck together and protected each other. To get money they would steel whatever they could, sometimes visiting local farms to rob fruit and then sell it on the street. As he got older, the group of friends developed into a gang; drugs and gang related violence became part of life. Antony looks back on his past drug use with open honesty, recalling “I was crazy, […] Read More
I have just finished running a 1 week photography workshop with 12 wonderful children, through Empowerment International in Granada, Nicaragua. Empowerment International’s mission is to build educated and productive communities to stop the cycle of poverty before it transfers to another generation. Their vision is for every child to go to school and achieve the level of education they desire, which is no easy task in a country where 50% of children who begin first grade drop out before fifth grade to help their families who may live on less than $1 per day. Read More