Editors' favorite submissions for the National Geographic Photo Contest 2012

When browsing the National Geographic Website today, I noticed that one of my photos (which I had submitted a couple of weeks ago) had been selected as one of the editors' favorite submissions to the National Geographic Photo Contest 2012. The photograph is called 'Abraham' and is part of the Barefoot in Ethiopia exhibition series of work, which was recently exhibited at the Hill Smith Gallery in Australia, where limited edition prints of the work were sold.

The 'Barefoot in Ethiopia' work documents the lifestyle of a village in the Afar region of Ethiopia, where I have spent several months with the Adelaide based NGO, Barefoot Initiative, who have been visiting the community and assisting them for the past 10 years.

'Abraham'

©Anna Fawcus

New LinkedIn recommendation from the Brooke

This is a new recommendation I received from The Brooke  on LinkedIn for some recent work I did in Nepal:  

I got a chance to work with Anna for a week during Nepal photography assignment. I must admit she is a through professional with a high degree of commitment. I remember she would carry a big bag of equipment to all the locations so that she doesn’t miss any action. Even when she was unwell during the draining trip she gave her 100 % effort. I really enjoyed working with Anna and got few handy tips on nuances of good photography. I wish her great success for her future endeavours.

The Brooke, September 13, 2012.

If you would like to see this recommendation, and others, please feel free to view my LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn Recommendation from Barefoot Initiative

Today I received a recommendation on LinkedIn from Barefoot Initiative for the work I did in Ethiopia. Here is what they had to say:  

Anna has worked with us in the field in rural Ethiopia where our projects are based. Her photographic skills are exceptional, but more importantly the manner in which she conducts her work is highly commendable. She is sensitive to the environment in which she works, and culturally aware to her subjects. Anna steps out far beyond her role as a photographer, and as a team member she helps where ever she is able, and shares creative and innovative ideas. She is a clear communicator and an absolute joy to work with.

Barefoot Initiative, June 24, 2012.

If you would like to see this recommendation, and others, please feel free to view my LinkedIn profile

Barefoot in Ethiopia Exhibition Opening

Last night was the opening of my photographic exhibition ‘Barefoot in Ethiopia’ at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide. David Smallacombe held the auction for us, selling 6 works of art done by the local community in Ethiopia and also selling 3 of the large limited edition photographs.Many other limited edition photographs were purchased off the walls. All of the proceeds go to Barefoot Initiative, to further their projects and work in the Afar region of Ethiopia, so it was truly wonderful to finish the evening knowing that we had managed to raise a substantial amount of funding already! Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a great night. For those who didn’t make it, the show will run until March 25th or works can be viewed online. Thanks to Dave for the following photos, I'll upload more photos from the opening in the coming days.

Final preparations for Barefoot in Ethiopia Exhibition

It's been a busy week with the final preparations for the exhibition. I've just completed signing and editioning all of the prints and dropped them at the Hill Smith Gallery. Looking forward to the opening Wednesday evening!

Signing limited edition prints for the Barefoot in Ethiopia exhibition opening

Barefoot in Ethiopia exhibition at the Hill Smith Gallery

I will be having an exhibition ‘Barefoot in Ethiopia’ at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide, Australia from March 14 – 25. The exhibition will be a fundraiser for Barefoot Initiative, with all proceeds from sales going directly to them. I have donated my time and expenses, and the Hill Smith Gallery have been very generous as the primary sponsor of the event. Check out the Hill Smith Gallery Website for a preview of the works and more information.

Working with The Barefoot Initiative in Ethiopia

Just had the most amazing month out in the Afar region of Ethiopia working with the Australian non-profit NGO, Barefoot Initiative. We slept on the floor of a mud hut, gathered wood to make fire, and trekked a couple of kilometers to the river each day. The Awash River (with the occasional crocodile on the banks) was where we washed ourselves and out clothes each day. We also collected the muddy brown water to take back to our hut for cooking and drinking water. I spent the days photographing the Barefoot Initiative team and projects and also the community, who became good friends. The work that Barefoot are doing in the community is inspirational and empowering. The photographs will form an exhibition series, which we will show as a fundraiser over the coming years to raise funding for the project.

Barefoot Initiative Newsletter 2011

The latest Barefoot Initiative Newsletter has been published. This newsletter contains many of my photographs from the time I spent there recently.

Next stop Ethiopia (Again!)

I should be in Ethiopia right now but my flight got cancelled due to snow closing down Heathrow airport. It has been a somewhat frustrating few days, as the airline offices are closed, as are their phone lines, which makes it difficult to re-book a new flight! I have been travelling to the airport every day with my luggage in the attempt to get onto a stand-by list if a flight is going. So far, planes are still grounded, which is causing chaos. Fingers crossed I will be able to get a flight soon…

Next stop Ethiopia!

I have been invited to work in Ethiopia with a non-profit organization from Australia called Barefoot Initiative. Tickets are booked for December and I am looking forward to the trip! Barefoot initiative is a Non Government Organisation (NGO) that is a group of three young Australians who have been working in the Afar region (hottest inhabited region on Earth) of Ethiopia since 2004. We will stay in a remote community, living in a mud hut for a month, with no electricity or phone reception. This means I will be out of contact with no access to a computer or telephone from December 18^th to January 18^th. For more info on the project, check out their website: www.barefootinitiative.org