Published: April 9, 2007

A dramatic image can alter and deepen our understanding of a subject. This idea defines the mission of Blue Earth Alliance: to educate the public about endangered cultures, threatened environments, and social concerns through photography—with the ultimate goal of motivating society to create positive change. It's a broad vision, but one the organization is passionate about achieving.

Blue Earth Alliance projects have raised more than $900,000 towards informing the public about issues often overlooked by traditional media—from global warming to the loss of open space; from young girls' rites of coming of age to the disappearing traditions of New England fishermen.

Founded in 1996, Blue Earth Alliance hand-selects photographers for sponsorship and works closely with them to provide non-profit, fiscal sponsorship for fundraising; grant-writing consultation; marketing and PR assistance; contacts with media, publishers, and museums; and technical assistance and materials. Blue Earth Alliance's technical manual on project photography, Shooting from the Heart, inspires all looking to make a difference with their work.

Photographers Natalie Fobes and Phil Borges formed Blue Earth Alliance after facing frustration with securing sponsorship and funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals in touring and promoting their recent projects. The two formed Blue Earth Alliance to give other photographers a tool for funding and support. The hope that their experiences in photographing, funding, and publishing personal projects could help other photographers bring their passions to a larger audience fueled the organization's development and growth.

Since then, Blue Earth-sponsored photographers have traveled around the world—from Sri Lanka to South America, Central America, Cuba and Mexico; to Siberia, Europe, the Arctic and Alaska—as well as our backyards here in the U.S. They have educated students, conservationists, journalists, and the public about important issues facing our world today. Blue Earth Alliance projects are celebrated in more than 14 books, including The Living Wild by Art Wolfe, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Subhankar Banerjee and LIFE: A Journey through Time by Frans Lanting. Their passion, dedication, strong voices, and energy reach out, challenging us to change our perspective on vital issues facing our world.

More Information:

Visit Blue Earth Alliance to learn more about our photographers and their projects, get the latest news and event information, become a member, or make a contribution. With your help, we can continue to support Photography that Makes a Difference™.

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