Making Progress at the House of Commons?

I spent the afternoon yesterday taking photos at the House of Commons for Penny On which is a very simple but totally brilliant way of raising funds for good causes; currently they are supporting New Dawn.



I love being involved in these projects and am currently looking to get more involved with social entrepreneurs and anyone who is making a positive impact helping to eradicate hunger and poverty, benefiting local society or making a positive impact on climate change. New Dawn does all of these!

New Dawn is turning the Western Sahara Desert into land that can be used for growing crops through innovative permaculture technology. Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies.

New Dawn is working towards MDG 7 goal and will initially focus on empowering the 170,000 Saharawi refugees in the Western Sahara Desert through creating sustainable agricultural systems. At present they are almost entirely dependent on overseas aid. Permaculture technology will be used together with the energy and enthusiasm of young people from the UK.


New Dawn also helps to alleviate social problems in the UK by encouraging young offenders to get involved in the project. They provide training in permaculture and heavy plant maintenance as well as teaching them how to work and lead a team, giving them confidence and belief in themselves; thus encouraging them to take on a new positive meaning in their life which helps to reform society in the UK.

The project empowers Saharawi people giving them a sustainable future and enabling them to grow crops in areas that are currently totally barren (1 acre of permaculture food forest can feed 10 people for life -1 acre of wheat barely 4.5 people and then on a very poor diet).

If that is still not reason enough for you to want to promote Penny On & New Dawn, then the fact that the new forests/plants will increase cloud cover that will also help to combat climate change makes it a win-win situation! Quote by Bill Liao “You see rainforests actually seed clouds so they help make the rain this means if we reforest we can increase average cloud cover.”

A 2% increase in average cloud cover would halt global warming!

When Stephen asked me to photograph the event at the House of Commons he mentioned that he was looking for someone who could get involved with the New Dawn project. The past year I have really embraced social networking, helping others to find the right people to help them so I immediately introduced him to Bill Liao co-founder of the social network service XING, an Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist who has participated seven IPO's and supports We Forest.

I recently took photos of Bill at a talk for Africa Gathering a group of Social Entrepreneurs that meet to discuss ways that they can help we can create sustainable systems for Africa.





Bill gave an inspirational talk about the benefits of permaculture and reforestation at the event and commented in a recent interview that how can we individually and collectively change the world (for the better) is:-

“As individuals by giving our word to good things and then honouring our word by taking actions consistent with that word. By planting trees, by striving and thriving towards empowerment for everyone. By using the tools of the Internet and mobile telephony to reach out and actually do something good every day.

As a species by giving up petty and childish nationalistic infantile games and instead realising that we are close to destroying our world so investing in our forests and our technology with the purpose of a world that works for everyone”.



Help me get retailers to sign up to Penny On so they can support projects like New Dawn! All they need to do is agree to offer purchasers the opportunity to add a penny on to their purchase which will be a simple bar code that the cashier can swipe and the Penny will go to the New Dawn project- Stephen Bailey the CEO can explain this in a lot more detail!


“Penny On is a simple electronic mechanism, at the point of sale which allows consumers to add 1p to the price of their shopping transaction. 100% of all monies collected go to sustainable initiatives and good causes working on the ground to deliver the MDGs. Penny On is effortless and totally inclusive. At 1p, everyone can afford to get involved!”

If you want to start making a positive difference and hep to solve, hunger and poverty as well as benefit local youth and make a positive impact on climate change sign up at :-

http://www.pennyon.com/

Networking to make a positive difference!

2010 is already looking like a very positive year January has been a record month!

Next week shooting for a catalogue Monday and Tuesday, Thursday some lifestyle shots for an article - “A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur”. Shooting two clients head-shots at my studios on Friday.

Actually have a weekend off thinking of popping over to Tenerife to get some sun!

Having only embraced networking last February I love to see how effective networking can be! I have been pleasantly surprised how I am already realizing my dream of making a positive difference!!

One of the most exciting things that happened this January was to get commissioned to photograph a convention at the House of Commons on 8th February on climate change looks like my goal to be more involved in charity work and something that truly makes a positive difference is unfolding.

The event will be focused on the performance to date against the targets within Millennium Development Goal 7 – Environmental Sustainability and will be hosted for us by Colin Challon MP, founding Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group.

Colin Challon (Cross Party Chair of the Climate Change Group) will highlight progress to date around the world in achieving the targets within MDG 7 and, Penny On will launch "New Dawn", a programme designed to bring food and water security to the Sahawari people, using Permaculture technology and the energy and enthusiasm of Britain's young people.

Penny On was conceived in the Western Sahara desert back in 2002, when the Founders (Martin Dewhurst and Anthony Vernon-Riley) were working for an NGO programme supporting the Sahawari people. Penny On was born in Chorley, Lancs in May 2009 and is an effortless, inclusive, fundraising mechanism that supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.


Stephen Bailey, CEO of Penny On - http://www.pennyon.com/ (No relations to David he he) told me he was looking for someone involved in combating climate change so I immediately thought of Bill Liao who I met whilst photographing a weekend conference for the Africa Gathering, http://www.africagathering.org.uk/ (a group of entrepreneurs and business people who have pledged to work together to help Africa to become a sustainable continent and eradicate poverty and famine).

Bill is involved with an amazing reforestation project. He was recently at the Copenhagen climate talks with Gordon Brown, who seemed surprised to learn that trees create clouds durrr! (Where is this man’s brain – obviously – in the clouds!!) Bill is now going to be one of the speakers at the conference and hopefully will be more involved with New Dawn!

Stephen then asked me if by any chance I know Stuart Rose, CEO of M&S and actually I do! I photograph the annual M&S awards, so was able to connect him to Stuart too. Hope M&S will decide to be a part of it!.

M&S recently celebrated their 50 years anniversary and Penny Bazaar which fits really well with the Penny On charity which wants retailers to encourage all shoppers to add 1p on to their purchases to the charity.

My dream this year is to connect like-minded people who want to make a positive difference to world climate and poverty and who are passionate about the planet.
I hope to realize this through my photography.

I have extensive experience photographing seminars, conferences and speakers as well as many other events, recently photographed “Make it Big in 2001” with James Caan from Dragons Den and Kevin Green from Secret Millionaire Channel 4’;s program – both Kevin and James are truly inspirational people a who are actively making a difference. Kevin Green is involved with “Make a Wish Foundation” and I will be working with Kevin at his 3 day seminar in July this year.

Hearing James Caan speak was truly an inspiration. He has his own foundation setting up a school in a rural village in Pakistan among other projects. I also recently photographed the FT Environmental Awards and the FT Sustainable Banking awards when I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Sir Bob Geldof – always an outspoken, but truly passionate speaker!


If you know anyone in the charity sector who may need a photographer, either at a fund raiser, charity PR event or to cover a story – or any Event Organizers, Productions Companies, PR Companies, Journalists, Magazine Picture Editors……let me know!


I am confident that I will represent their events with passion and give them images that will help their cause to make a positive difference!

A Poem I wrote in the 90's

Oblivion, is that what we want ?

Everyone is bustling and buzzing about
No one has the time to think
Endlessly we hurl towards our own oblivion
Hurricanes, cyclones, tidal waves
When will it end ?

Green turns to concrete slabs
Rivers to molten blood
Sea the colour of mud
Yet still the sky gold and red at dusk
Perhaps its not too late

Between the grey paving stones
Pale shafts of green push their way through
Concrete reluctantly conceding to persistent green
Grey towers marching on forests fine

World, total sphere of grey blood
No more water trickling down streams from mountain tops
Just endless rows of blind grey blocks

Earth so fine so rich
Textures pure and clear
Do something soon
Don't want the end to be near

Photo of Erin Pizzey featured in a two page spread of the August edition of the Oldie by the Independent

Pleased to see my recent portrait shot of Erin Pizzey featured in a two page spread of the August edition of the Oldie by the Independent.

Erin is famous for her work with battered wives especially in the early 1970's. She is an acclaimed author having written many books on the subject.

Having met her a few months ago I was able to introduced her to Women Unlimited a great social entrepreneurs network that I often take photos for. Erin spoke to a room full or Women Entrepreneurs and a man, Ecademy's Black Star member Bob Nichols author of Remember the Ice was so enthralled and inspired by Erin's emotive talk, he commented that he would have been happy to have traveled from the USA just to hear her talk!

She is an amazing woman and although she wasn’t the one who actually discovered domestic violence she was the person who forced it forward as a major social problem. Her bold act in setting up the Chiswick Women's Refuge in 1972 led to a series of court cases in which she took on the hostile local council.

Having suffered abuse herself as a child, Erin could identify with the women that came to her refuge saying to her “no one will help me”. In the article she says:-

As I child I was standing in front of a teacher with blood running down my legs from a whipping my mother had given me with an ironing cord saying “please will you help me” and the teacher had looked at me and said “I don’t blame your mother for beating you, you’re such a terrible child”.



The house she set up in Chiswick housed many women and children sometimes as many as 56 mothers and children in four rooms! Erin Pizzey accepted that domestic violence was a problem for men and women and received a lot of criticism from the feminists

They wanted a world where men were excluded and I didn’t agree with that at all!

In 1982 Erin moved to Santa Fe and continued her work later moving to the Caribbean where she lived in a 50ft pyramid for 4 years and then to Tuscany, finally settling back in London, Twickenham . She is currently working on her autobiography “This Way to Revolution”.

It’s great fun going back to 1970 to write about the time when everything imploded, the enormous madness of the period. People are still embarrassed to remember what they got up to!



Links

http://www.erinpizzey.com/ - Erin Pizzey’s official site.
http//:www.theoldie.co.uk - The Oldie Magazine the most original magazine in the country
http://www.women-unlimited.co.uk -
Women Unlimited is an organisation that is totally focused upon supporting Women providing inspiration, motivation and development

SPREAD THE WORD AND HELP

I recommend Hotels Combined and sent $20 to World Vision!

You can shout and help too.

Hotels Combined says:

We thought; let's donate to charity every time someone helps us spread the word. This way, we can then benefit from your word of mouth (or mouse in this case) whilst at the same time being able to donate what we normally would have had to spend on advertising!

So, if you've given us a try and think we deserve a shout, here's a few easy ways you can particpate: it's totally free - you choose the charity, they donate the money!

In order to spread the word about the company, Hotels Combined are currently donating money to one of three charities WWf< World Vision and Make a wish when you mention them on your blog or become a fan on Facebook.

Click below:-

I recommend Hotels Combined and sent $20 to World Vision!

You can shout and help too.

Front cover of The Family Grapevine magazine

Happy to see my image on front cover of The Family Grapevine magazine March – July 2009 edition!

Ecademy Black Star Water Skiing Day with Jodi Fisher World Champion

Having recently upgraded my membership with Ecademy from Power Networker to Black Star; I enjoyed my very first social event as a Black Star and what a day it was!!

Sixteen of us met at the Denham Water Park at a picturesque lake where we had one to one training from world Champion Water skiier Jodi Fisher.

I have only been skiing twice before and the last time was the weekend that Lady Diana died 31st August 1997 so I was not expecting to be able to stand and was surprise to find that I was able to get up on the second attempt.




Jodi gave me loads of really practical advise and by the end of my second 15 minute session had me skiing mono! It's an amazing rush to jump the wake on one ski(mind you I was only up for a few mins on one ski - it's so fast!)




We were lucky enough to get to see Jodi Fisher ski and I was lucky enough to be on the speed boat taking photos and really experience his expertise. It's amazing how when he's traveling across the wake at approx 65-70mph he can nonchalantly go one handed.



Jodi Fisher was going so fast the coot in this photo hardly had time to take off he veered off to avoid it and it managed to fly way !

I took quite a few photos which you can see on my website at http://www.worldvisionphotos.co.uk

Really enjoying being a Black Star Member at Ecademy and meeting loads of intersting people.

Dianna Bonner's Photo Blog: Bob Geldof spoke @ the FT Sustainable Banking Awards I was photographing last night!

Dianna Bonner's Photo Blog: Bob Geldof spoke @ the FT Sustainable Banking Awards I was photographing last night!

Bob Geldof spoke @ the FT Sustainable Banking Awards I was photographing last night!

I was really surprised tonight whilst photographing the FT Sustainable Banking Awards in London as Bob Geldof was the surprise speaker.

He was only supposed to speak for 15 minutes but spoke passionately fro 40 minutes about the lack of food and poverty in certain areas of Africa. Not that much seems to have changed since the days when he organized Band Aid!

Bob Geldof was as controversial as ever siting the government and powers that be as repressing the advancement of business in Africa and reproaching the ****ing Lawyers !

He pointed out that Asia is already heavily investing in African Business whereas Europe is scarcely involved in what is sure to be one of the biggest markets by 2040.



Incredibly India already has more graduates than the entire population of the United States and Africa not only has rich raw materials but a huge potential. Europe must embrace Africa and move into the new future where Africa and Asia will be the world leaders and Europe and the USA will be much more insignificant.

I was really glad to be a part of the Sustainable Banking Awards that are presented to the banks which are trying to make a positive, ethical and environmental difference within the banking sectors.

Looking forward to the next FT event I cover, Last month I covered the Bold in Business Awards at the Tate Modern where Kevin Spacey was giving out the awards. A brilliant venue - really funky and breathtaking views from the restaurant !

I will also be covering the Environmental Awards again this year, last year they took place in the Royal Opera House, this year I think it will be at the Science Museum.

Good to see that at least one of the large Newspapers is supporting Green issues !!!

Some info about me ....

I have always loved photography. I bought my first camera, a Russian Zenith, from my childhood friend and neighbour Brian when I was just 9 years old and immediately began to experiment and take exciting photos.

Traveling abroad at 19 I lived for a couple of years in Tenerife, I'm fluent in Spanish as my father is from the Canaries and I also lived in Madrid for a couple of years working for the leisure division of First National Bank during the year Madrid when was voted "Cultural Capital of Europe", Spain hosted the Olympics and the Expo was held in Seville.

After spending a few months in South Africa and toying with the idea of emigrating to Brazil I eventually returned to the UK and worked for PMI (a direct subsidiary of British Aerospace).

I left and joined non profit making International Tennis Federation (ITF). Whilst representing them in India in 1999 they asked me to do take photos in New Delhi at a Women's $50,000 event. My tennis photos were used in their publications and magazines. It was at this point that I decided to make my passion my life's work.

I set up my studio specialising in fun photography in both portraiture and weddings and also began to photograph corporate events, styled food, pack shots and actors' portfolios. I really enjoy taking photos at corporate events, marketing seminars and award ceremonies and would love to do more food shoots, love to work with Jamie Oliver as I love what he is trying to do! I really do most things apart from Paparazzi and Glamour as I feel this is not always ethical; however, I always enjoy all types of editorial work.

During the last seven years I have successfully built quite an impressive photography portfolio.

My client list includes not only large blue-chip companies such as M&S, Heinz, L'Oreal and Estée Lauder but also charitable organisations, such as WWF, Galapagos Trust, Mind and the Tibet Foundation. I also enjoy working with well-known musicians, Courtney Pine, Phillip Bent & Lionel Ritchie; and have photographed many events and venues (including the Grand Prix Ball and events at Hampton Court Palace)

I photograph the Ecademy monthly events at the Grosvenor Hotel. You can view these and download them free on my website http://www.WorldVisonPhotos.co.uk please go to the RECENT SHOOTS Tab and click on image to download free photos of the event. Here's a profile photoshot in my studio this Saturday for an Ecademy Member.

Really enjoy social events especially weddings, christenings and Bar Mitzvahs. I love children and have 2 lovely boys of my own so have loads fun photographing families. I also often do corporate head-shots either in my studio; on location or at the company offices.

There are lots of examples of my work on the site and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to see more images http:www.worldvisionphotos.co.uk.

When I set up World Vision Photos, I was totally unaware of the charity with the same name World Vision. Once I discovered their existence I immediately became a sponsor for one of World Vision's orphaned children.

Simon, who is now 7 years old, lives in a small rural village in Uganda. He recently recovered from a bout of malaria and at school he has now learnt to write. I always look forward to receiving his hand written Christmas cards and drawings.

My two lovely boys aged 3 and 6 also love to get involved and find it hard to believe that some children do not have the luxuries they have. They can't believe that to some children clean water and even school books are a luxury! If you would like to help sponsoring a child please check out World Vision http://www.worldvision.org/

I have worked with a number of charities photographing their fund raising events including a fund raising event for Galapagos Trust where I photographed HRH Prince Phillip & David Bellamy. I was very disappointed when the WWF shoot "creating corridors for Tigers in India" was canceled due to delegates' fear of travel after September 11th and I am hoping to get much more involved in charity photography in the future.

Over the years I have gained plenty of experience photographing venues, interiors and exteriors, styled food and events, and working with a number of production, event and catering companies including Ultraviolet, Square Meal, Canepeum, ESC Events and The Recipe to name but a few.

"On behalf of my client Andrew Reynolds and ESC Events, I just wanted to say a big thank you for all you and your teams hard work leading up to and during our event at Hampton Court Palace on Thursday. It's safe to say that the client and his guests have been absolutely amazed by the venue and the entire evening.

It was a delight to work with all your team but in particular you Dianna and your second photographer, Sophie were only too happy to help and accommodated any last minute requests without a second thought, working with such professionals has made this whole experience an enjoyable one! The pictures look absolutely amazing and you've managed to capture not only the beauty of the venue, but the essence of the party and illustrate wonderfully what an excellent time was had by all!

We look forward to doing it all again soon, Many Thanks again, "

- John Wickens - Managing Director - ESC Events

Take a look at my portfolio images and my recent shoots http://www.worldvisionphotos.co.uk/ contact me info@worldvisionphotos.co.uk

I've also covered a number of events for the Financial Times including the FT Sustainable Banking awards 2007, the Environmental Awards 2007, Lawyers Awards 2008 and more recently in March 2009 the FT Bold in Business Awards at The Tate Modern. Kevin Spacey was giving out the awards and cracked a joke about Ryan Air probably being stuck on the runway in Madrid - they couldn't be bothered to collect their award! He did have a vested interest, however, as he is now the face of American Airlines!

I also work with ITOPF (a not-for-profit organisation established on behalf of the world's ship owners to promote an effective response to marine spills of oil, chemicals and other hazardous substances) covering their events including their 40 years anniversary and just last week was at London's stunning venue the Gherkin photographing a retirement dinner for Tosh Moller, MD for ITOPF.

"Her warm personality and endless energy and enthusiasm is infectious and she certainly knows just when to press the shutter to capture that decisive moment"

Tosh Moller  MD ITOPF


Recently took some portrait shots for author Erin Pizzey's new book jacket. Erin was the founder in the 70's of Refuge for abused Women. Erin will be talking at another event where I will be the official photographer organsied by Women Unlimited- Julie Hall (Power Networker) . For more information please see http://www.women-unlimited.co.uk/.



As the official photographer for Ecademy and Success Track, I've been spending more of my time in recent months during the so called "recession" doing the official photography for a number of marketing & how-to-make-your- business- successful seminars which have been taking place throughout the UK.



Official photographer for marketing genius Jonathan Jay (Black Star) owner of http://www.successtrackonline.com/ who organises excellent seminars, business club workshops, weekend networking and marketing events in London - soon throughout the UK. Try out his amazing business club http://www.jonathanjay.com/free.html



Also photographer for Penny & Thomas Power @ Ecademy taking photos of the events, delegates and speakers for them. http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=308076

"Wonderful person, powerful photographer, proactive net-worker. Great combination. Highly recommended! "

Thomas Power, CEO Ecademy Network

"Such a beautiful lady with a wonderful energy, an amazing photographer and a fantastic person, I truly hope that Dianna has the success and happiness she so clearly deserves in life."

Penny Power, CEO Ecademy Network


I have also been developing my photography to high-end food photography and one of my recent clients was Net-jets, the private hire jet company. The brief was 100 good quality food shots to promote their in-flight a la carte menu. Passengers can order in from Selfridges and the like. I created images for their website working with a chef and food stylist, Lisa Harrison who had has also worked with both Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey on Ready Steady Cook and Hell's Kitchen. Take a look at the mouth-watering food at http://www.worldvisionphotos.co.uk/food_portfolio.html


If you need to look good or need images for your website, mouth-watering food shots, corporate brochures or reportage style coverage for your event I would be pleased to talk to you about what you need.

Call me on 0208 580 1652, 0208 58 1 2376 or 0771 8818 768 or email Dianna@worldvisionphotos.co.uk - to see some samples of my work and recent shoots http://www.worldvisionphotos.co.uk/


I am a member of SWPP & BPPA (Professional Wedding & Portrait Societies) and have a BA degree in Multimedia & Photography as well as a member of SICIP (Society of Corporate & Industrial Photographers) & SINWP (Nature Photographers).

I have been told that I "combine state-of-the-art digital technology with a blend of imagination, originality and professionalism providing food photography of the highest contemporary quality, stylish wedding & portrait images to treasure for life, PR images, corporate events & Bar Mitzvahs as well as innovative musicians' portfolios & CD cover images".

I love to travel and consider myself an environmentalist. I hope my portfolio also includes contemporary and often thought-provoking images from my travels in the nature stock library.

I am available to work on location or in studio, using some of the most up-to-date Nikon photographic equipment (D700 and Professional Nikor Lenses). Please call me on 0771 888 1768 or 0208 580 1652 or 0208 581 2376 or email info@diannabonner.co.uk For corporate work please visit my website http://www.worldvisionphotos.co.uk

I cover UK and Worldwide and offer secure on line proofing usually on line the day after the shoot as well as a professional print ordering service next day delivery from Loxley Colour Professional Print Lab voted best supplier 2009 by the SWPP.

To view some of my images please visit my corporate site - http://www.WorldVisionPhotos.co.uk or my Weddings & Portraits site http://www.diannabonner.co.uk.

Please feel free to either email me on info@diannabonner.co.uk or call me on +44 (0) 208 580 1652- +44 (0) 208 581 2376 - +44 (0) 771 888 1768

Looking forward to getting to know you and hopefully doing some business together in the future.


What are you doing at the moment?

Dianna has joined Twitter follow me on http://twitter.com/DiannaBonner.
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Join me @ Athena Connect http://www.athenaconnect.com/members/#
Join me & Women on The Crossroads http://www.womenonthecrossroads.com/main/invitation/new




Some more personal info:
Where I grew up
Bristol

Places I've lived
Spain, Tenreife, Lanzarote, South Africa, UK, Fuerteventura

Companies I've worked for
ITF, International Tennis Federation, PMI, Project Management International, FNB, First National Bank

Schools I've attended
Colston Gils School, St Brendans 6th Form College, Westbury Park School. Clark's Grammar School, Amberley House, Westminster University, Harrow