Ron Wilson

What Makes Ron B Wilson More Than a Photographer

@ronbwilson
artstyleflow.com

Ron B. Wilson is an award-winning photographer, travel blogger and humanitarian. His work centres around portraiture, fine-art, fashion and travel. Ron first got involved with PWB by going on assignment in 2015 to highlight the work of community partners, Long Way Home.

With his love for travel, it's no surprise Ron went on several assignments with PWB. Ron has documented his time with community partners in Guatemala, India, Ukraine, Guyana and Botswana. In Guatemala with Long Way Home, Ron worked with community partners to highlight sustainable living and environmental stewardship through education and employment. Ron’s photos have been featured in PWB's Online and Print Magazine.

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Ron B.Wilson on assignment with Long Way Home

Ron’s next two assignments took him to Bostwana and India, to work with community partners Young 1ove and Azad respectively. Young 1ove is a NGO committed to offering youth-led health and educational programs.

Ron B.Wilson on assignment with Young 1ove

The Azad India Foundation, a Community Partner working with rural and urban underprivileged children, adolescents and women in the Kishanganj district. This assignment was featured on PWB's Print and Online Magazine.

Ron B.Wilson on assignment with Azad Indian Foundation

Ron B.Wilson on assignment with Clean Futures Fund

Ron traveled to the Ukraine to document the work of Clean Futures Fund, bringing awareness to those affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster. Ron's work was also featured in the PWB Film: Children of Chernobyl.

At one of the most hazardous worksites in the world, the employees of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant risk their lives everyday. Clean Futures Fund (CFF) is working to improve the health and well-being of all generations still feeling the effects of the historic nuclear accident. The Children of Chernobyl captured the intergenerational struggle for a healthy life.

Ron B.Wilson on assignment with SASOD

Most recently, Ron went on assignment again with PWB to work with SASOD. Featured as the most recent PWB Print Magazine cover. Ron's images has celebrated the LGBTQ+ in Guyana and their continued efforts to eliminate sexual orientational discrimination in their community.

“I believe life is about feelings, memories, and split-second moments that will never be repeated. Storytelling, through photography, allows me to take those moments and make a small difference. Nothing makes me happier than being in an unfamiliar place with my tools.” - Ron B. Wilson

Want to become more than a photographer?

Thank you Ron for continuing to advocate for human rights and telling important stories that amplify voices of grassroots communities.

Maria Paula Martinez

What Makes Maria Paula Martinez More Than a Photographer

@maripomartini
www.maripomartini.net

Maria Paula Martinez is a documentary photographer, human rights defender and marine conservationist from Mexico City. Maria first got involved with PWB by attending our PWB School India workshop in 2017 to learn ethical storytelling while documenting the work of Sambhali Trust.

Maria's photos were featured as a Photographer Spotlight article in our Print Magazine Issue #10. The article was also published to the PWB Online Magazine.

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Maria Paula Martinez on PWB School India with Sambhali Trust

After PWB School India, Maria went on assignment in 2018 with PWB to document Drug Fight Malawi, an NGO working with partners to bring attention to alcohol and drug abuse, as well as violence against women. The work was highlighted on PWB's Online Magazine.

Maria Paula Martinez on assignment for Drug Fight Malawi

In 2018, Maria went on another PWB School workshop in Mongolia to learn ethical storytelling while staying with nomadic families with Ger to Ger, an organization that is trying to help families sustain themselves through ecotourism.

Maria's drone photography captured the stunning vastness of the Mongolian steppe.

“For me, to be a photographer goes much further than being behind a camera’s lens. It is the connection of my very deep being with the way I express myself. It is an affirmation of my place in this world, of me and the cosmos. It is the reflection of my heart. For me, to establish a connection with another human being, with a landscape, with the sea, with an animal, with a volcano or a mountain, is much deeper than with just a glance; it means opening my heart and from the very true and original love of it, connecting, melting the feelings that awake inside me with the other great beyond when I am going to click. For me, taking a photograph is a revelation, a metaphysics; it’s poetry.”

— Maria Paula Martinez

Maria Paula Martinez on PWB School Mongolia

In 2019, Maria went on back-to-back assignments with PWB. The first was in Ukraine to document the fight for 2SLGBTQ+  rights in Kiev with Tergo.

The second assignment in 2019 was in Armenia, to document Society Without Violence, whose mission is to promote a society where there is no gender based violence, discrimination and where women equally participate in all decision making processes.

Maria Paula Martinez on assignment for Tergo (left) and Society Without Violence (right)

Thank you Maria for continuing to advocate for human rights and telling important stories that amplify voices of grassroots communities.

Want to become more than a photographer?

Damari McBride

What Makes Damari McBride More Than a Photographer

@damarimcbride
www.damarimcbride.com

Damari McBride is a freelance photographer, art lover and people person. A Michigan native, but a true New Yorker who loves to capture meaningful and captivating portraits.

In 2018, Damari went on assignment with PWB to document Nourish, an NGO that is dedicated to promoting environmental education to marginalized communities in South Africa. With a particular focus on “nourishing” the youth of their communities with not only food but experiences. Fostering an organic love and appreciation for nature and wildlife.

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Damari McBride on assignment with Nourish in South Africa

While on assignment, Damari was accompanied by PWB staff to film his storytelling experience and the work that is being done at Nourish. The PWB Film ‘Beyond the Gun’ came out in 2019 and has won several awards.

Damari’s photos from on assignment were featured in the next edition of PWB’s print magazine and were also featured online as an extension to the PWB Film created. The online article, “Beyond the Gun: How apartheid, poverty and poaching intersect in South Africa” further explores Damari’s experience with Nourish.

Although photography is such a huge component in his life, Damari identifies as more than a photographer. Damari sees himself as a “philosopher. [someone who] makes you think, dig deeper, look, and ask the big questions like why and how?” He wants his photographs to  challenge viewers to push the boundaries, challenge themselves and lead them to create change and impact.

Thank you Damari, and our other member storytellers that are amplifying voices of grassroots communities all around the world.

Want to become more than a photographer?

Lee Ann Bartran

What Makes Lee Ann More Than a Photographer

@lee.bartran.photo
www.leeannbartran.com

Lee Ann Bartran is a humanitarian, lifestyle and travel photographer from Colorado, USA. Lee first got involved with PWB by attending our PWB School India workshop in 2018 to learn ethical storytelling while documenting the work of Sambhali Trust.

Sambhali Trust, meaning “the rising of the deprived” is a non-profit organization created in 2007, which empowers women and girls in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. At Sambhali, women of all socio-economic and religious backgrounds are able to come together to promote self-esteem, confidence, and self-expression, all while gaining an education and access to economic independence.

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Lee Ann Bartran on PWB School India with Sambhali Trust

After PWB School India, Lee has gone on assignment with PWB to document the work of two Community Partners.

In 2019, Lee travelled to Malawi to document the work of Chipembere, a Community Partner working in women's & youth equity, education and healthcare. Her work for Chipembere was published in PWB’s Online Magazine. Read more about how these grassroots activists in Malawi are banding together to build stronger communities.

Lee Ann Bartran on assignment for Chipembere

That same year, Lee went on assignment again with PWB to work with Damnok Toek, a Community Partner that provides opportunities to the most marginalized and at risk children and youth in Cambodia.

The organization’s mission is to assist the most vulnerable youth, particularly trafficking victims, street working or street living children, young people living with physical or intellectual disabilities, and victims of any kind of exploitation or abuse.

Lee Ann Bartran on assignment for Damnok Toek

Thank you Lee, and our other member storytellers that are amplifying voices of grassroots communities all around the world.

Want to become more than a photographer?