As the days heat up and Summer vibes kick in, up here on the Mid-North Coast, I thought I’d revisit a super fun photo shoot I did in Costa Rica for Venezuelan label, Desi Swimwear. We had a ball shooting with these Latin beauties, on the breathtaking Playa Hermosa, as perfect waves rolled in behind us. These bubbly girls were so much fun to work with. You can check out some behind the scenes shots on my Facebook page here. I’ve been having a fabulous time scoping out locations for future fashion shoots and other photo shoots around Port Macquarie and Crescent Head (and in the process, finding my new favourite beach in the whole wide world!). Being new to this area, I am so overwhelmed by its natural beauty. I feel so blessed to live in this stunning part of Australia and I’m so looking forward to all the beautiful, natural backdrops I’ll be working with in the future, on shoot like the one picture here. Read More
Travel is like an intensified version of normal life. We take ourselves out of our comfort zone to situations where the ups are higher and the downs take us deeper than we have ever been. This is why we often return from travelling feeling like a new person: so much more experienced, wiser and even enlightened. After a year or so travelling through South America, I’d been confronted by many lows (and many more highs, thankfully). One thing that irritated me was how long things took. I’m pretty chilled out and enjoy taking my time, but on Latin American time things can be excruciatingly slow. The border crossing from Colombia to Panama is one example of this. The whole process of travelling by boat from port towns to port towns took days. I understand that authorities in this Darien Gap region are wise to watch their ports for drug smugglers, but anyone who has spoken to locals knows that the authorities are aware of the traffickers and allow certain offenders to slip through the cracks. On arriving to Panama, at the tiny village of Puerto Obaldia, the immigration officer sitting inside his sweltering hot cement block informed us […] 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
Photos by Alicia Fox Words by James Galletly Cuba may not be well known as an eco-travel destination, but its eco-credentials, like its musicians and cigars, are first class. In 2006, the WWF’s Living Planet Report named Cuba the only nation on earth achieving sustainable development. This big claim was based on Cubans having a high standard of living (assessed via levels of health, education and GDP) and at the same time maintaining a sustainable Ecological Footprint…. To view more of my published work please go to www.aliciafox.net/published Read More
Cuba Pobre Cubans showed me that in some ways their country is one of the richest places on Earth. The music, the culture and the spirit of the people are so strong. So alive! But economically, many Cubans are struggling. Even with food rations that the government provides for the population, people are struggling to survive on wages which average just $15 per month. In March 2012 I shot a photo essay for Newsmax, documenting the poor side of Cuba. Completing this assignment lead me to meet and spend time with some outstandingly wonderful human beings whose spirits actually shone stronger because of their hardships. It lead me into buildings that were literally crumbling where families still lived and into a world where I got a brief sense of what life is like in a city where food is so scarce that a cup of rice or a couple of bananas are hard to come by. And all these hardships just make Cubans stronger; more unified and more positive. They are people who live for the moment, enjoying life simply because they were lucky enough to be born Cuban! To see more of my documentary photos please visit here 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
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
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
My journey through Latin America has taken me further north to the wonderful land of Mexico. I had high expectations for this country and Mexico has already exceeded those expectations. The delicious food, the welcoming characters, the rainbow of colours across the variations of traditional dress and the remains of a deep history. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for me. I will be in Mexico for August and September 2011, followed by some time in The USA, before turning around and heading back south through Central America. Please check the Travel Plan tab at the top of this blog for more information. I look forward to sharing the journey with you on my blog and Facebook pages. Adios Read More
When I first read about the Kuna Yala indigenous people in the San Blas Islands, I knew I had to visit the islands to photograph them. In all descripitions, the people and the landscape sounded visually stunning. The Kuna women hand-sew their vibrant outfits with tropical patterns and elaborate designs. Their arms and legs are adorned with colourful beads in traditional patterns that imitate designs that used to be painted on their skin before missionaries taught them to wear clothes. The location they call home is over 300 idyllic islands in the Caribbean Sea of Panama, the most picture perfect place I have visited in my life. Many of the inhabitants are nomadic and move from island to island collecting coconuts and selling their clothing, designs and beaded jewelry to tourists. I shot a series of photos for Atmosphere magazine, an in-flight publication for Canada’s Air Transat. The photos are in the current (July-August) edition. 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
James and I wrote and photographed this article for Tide Magazine in Germany. James interviewed Patricia and Ellie, from Munich, about their falling in love with the magical Panamanian village of Santa Catalina and starting the regions first surf shop. The girls are an inspiration and show that you can follow your heart and live your dreams in paradise. The article was translated into German. Please send me an email if you’d like to read the English version. Photos by Alicia Fox Surf photos by Richard Brady Words by James Galletly Read More
Volunteering with Opportunity Nicaragua was an wonderful experience that allowed me a glimpse into the lives of many hardworking artisanas and farmers around Granada, who despite adversity, can go through life with a smile. The experience gave me perspective on how tough life is for so many people throughout the world, and how fortunate I am to live the life I have. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the experience. Read More
Here are a few shots from my recent shoot for El Camino del Sol. I had the pleasure of staying in the community throughout the photo shoot and enjoying the nearby town of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Read More
Playa Gigante, Nicaragua This morning when I was on the front porch three men with very big guns walked past me, trailed by some very excited dogs. They returned this afternoon with a bunch of iguana for dinner, Saturday night special. My little friend took one of the iguanas from her Dad and started parading the catch around the main street (Yes, this is the main street pictured). Read More
