ABOUT Me

My name is Anita Bonnarens, and I am a documentary photographer specializing in participatory visual storytelling for non-profits and civil society organizations. I also bring BCIT-certified expertise in grant writing, which strengthens both my practice and the support I provide.

My connection to photography began when I was seven years old. My father frequently judged horse competitions, and to keep me busy during those long days, he placed a camera in my hands. When he later showed me the developed black-and-white photographs of horses in motion, a seed was planted. The magic of the darkroom deepened that early curiosity into a lasting fascination with photography. 

Today, I am a Belgian-Canadian citizen living on the west coast of British Columbia. Over the past 20 years, I have lived across Europe, South America, and North America. These experiences shaped how I relate to people: with patience, presence, and an openness to let stories unfold in their own time and rhythm. My path has since unfolded into projects and relational environments grounded in trust, care, attention, and respect.

My work with Photographers Without Borders, a global non-profit dedicated to ethical impact storytelling, has taken me to Peru, Guatemala, and Kazakhstan, where I have focused on human rights, education, cultural preservation, and women’s empowerment. I have also worked with the Vancouver Art Gallery on school programs and supported students with special needs for the Vancouver School Board. I recently co-created a photo book documenting the eighteen-month journey of the Welcome Totem Pole with Squamish Nation artist See Appl-tun (Art Harry), commissioned by Sea to Sky Foundry. I am currently working with the Dr. Peter Centre in Vancouver, supporting people living with HIV/AIDS through imagery and storytelling.

For me, visual storytelling is a process of co-creation. I arrive to build relationships, listen, and create space where stories can unfold on their own terms. Those I work with are active co-authors—shaping their portraits, reviewing their narratives, and deciding how their lived experiences are shared.  At the heart of my practice is a commitment to restoring how individuals are seen—both by the world and by themselves. This relational process of witnessing allows each person’s complexity to remain visible beyond surface narratives and stereotypes.

I care about the survival and integrity of these stories, and that’s why I offer a unique fusion of participatory photography and BCIT-certified grant writing for non-profit and civil society organizations, including commissions and consultations.

Every project begins with a conversation and a shared commitment to honour the people we serve. If my approach resonates with your values and needs, I welcome the opportunity to connect.