International photographer and writer Tanja Ellis expects to line up in the Bermuda International 10K on Saturday, and possibly in the half marathon on Sunday.

She is currently writing a book entitled In the Spirit of Bermuda, which is to be published by New York's high quality Assouline Publishing. The publication will be split into three, looking at Bermuda's past, present and future, and once published will be distributed worldwide.

Ellis is also a founder of the 'Eyes of a Child' project, a charity which seeks to better the lives of children in many countries around the world, firstly by giving children small disposable cameras to capture scenes from their daily lives ¿ from their own unique viewpoints.

The mesmerising results have already been turned into internet albums (see the website www.eyesofachild.net) and a soon-to-publish quality photographic book with children's photographs from 30 countries around the world.

Proceeds from the non-profit book will go to a fund for the children. But at the same time, the simple act of giving the children the gift of a camera to document their lives and be creative is a way of enhancing their self-belief and confidence.

In her own words, she says: "The project has given many children an opportunity to express themselves through writing and once their work gets produced we hope to soar their confidence when they see what they have created. For now we will send DVDs of their work ... for us, however, there is a different take-away, simply, that we are blessed for all the things that we take for granted - that our desire to want more is completely unnecessary, because we do have all that we really need."

While in Bermuda she will be working with former St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones on the project.

Running is a relatively new pastime for Ellis, but she has completed a 10K in the US and is hoping to run the 10K and half marathon this weekend.

A mother of four, she speaks many languages and has travelled around the world, particularly the Caribbean, South America, Europe and the Far East.

She has an Honours degree from Smith College and graduated with a Masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently doing course work at the International Center of Photography and works privately with a number of internationally acclaimed photographers. Over the years, Ellis has consulted to many of the large top luxury retail firms in New York, among them Tiffany & Company and Bloomingdales.

Today, she works in tandem with her husband Patrick on large resort developments in the Caribbean, specifically Aman Resorts, where they launched the first Aman resort developed in the Caribbean.