Annette Bonnier
Photography

I am a freelance photographer and I’ve been producing Photo Essays since I graduated from the University of Florida in 1979 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Photo Journalism.

I published my first story on Katie Brown in Tropic Magazine, Miami Herald Sunday Edition, which followed a woman who was a crack addict, living with her 8 children, and eventually married, became clean and changed her life.

I also photographed a prisoner in Sing Sing Prison, convicted of murder who graduated with a Master’s Degree while in prison. When he was freed, he began his new life with his family and was involved with the church and worked as a Drug Counselor.

I published my book, “India’s Elephants” in 2013. I was introduced to many different and interesting cultures within the indigenous tribes of India. I was amazed at the variety of tasks, functions and life styles elephants endured. I traveled throughout India, on and off for several years with my camera and an amazing Indian guide Kapil Deval.

Later I traveled to Africa on and off for 3 years and photographed a wide variety of the tribal societies in Ethiopia, Angola and Sudan. I photographed their daily lives and customs. I printed many of the portraits on Vellum Paper with gold, silver or copper backing as well as standard photographs. I was honored to receive the Julia Margaret Cameron Award in Photography for this project on Vellum Paper.

I am currently working on two separate projects. One is a book titled “Reflections From the Shadows” where I have photographed reflections with interesting compositions which are surreal and mysterious. This began as a personal project after being sick for a long time. I also received the Julia Margaret Cameron Award in Photography for this project.

I am also working on “Vestiges of Past Lives”. This project focuses on old, beautiful or interesting buildings that are in disrepair, falling apart and deserted. There is something haunting and beautiful about these photographs that I love. They have a wonderful history and life of their own.

Gallery Exhibitions

Studies

– Bachelors Degree – Photojournalism University of Florida – 1979
– Travel & Local Workshops – Mary Ellen Mark, Steve McCurry, David Allan Harvey,
   Maggie Steber, Eli Reed, Ed Kashi & Matt Black.

Published Work

– India’s Elephants – Book 2013 – Books & Books Press Publications
– New York Times, Tropic Magazine (Miami Herald), The Independent, BBC Wildlife
   Magazine, Wanderlust Magazine and Loft Magazine.