NINFA Z. BITO

Ninfa Z. Bito is a freelance photojournalist based in Manila, Philippines. She was self-taught in photography and in 1998 took on formal training in Paris where she met and assisted Georges Fevre, personal printer for Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau and Josef Koudelka, and a former director of B&W at PICTO (one of France's largest photography labs). After Paris she apprenticed with, Michel Rabaste, a commercial photographer and a former Academy of Arts instructor in San Francisco, in studio and location photography. She also attended the Santa Fe Workshops with Chuck O'Rear, a former National Geographic photographer.

Over the last two years she has been pursuing her interest in reportage/documentary focusing on humanitarian, environmental, health and social issues. In July 2005, she was one of four photojournalists awarded a grant by the Panos/Stop TB Media Fellowships to document tuberculosis in the Philippines.

Commercially, she is experienced in medium format, 4x5, and digital photography shooting interiors, food, products, portraits, fashion, editorials/lifestyle as well as print ad campaigns. Her work has been published in local and international publications such as those listed below. 

• Philippines - Colors Philippines Travel Guide, Metro Magazine, Chalk, YStar, Preview, Mega, Philippine Tatler, Working Mom, BluPrint, MyHome, Newsbreak
• International - Far Eastern Economic Review, The New York Times, International Herald Tribune.

Ninfa is available for assignments locally and regionally.