Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via Getty Images

In this photo released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on August 28, 2010, Paris Hilton is pictured in a police booking photo in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to reports, Hilton and her boyfriend Cy Waits were arrested late Friday night after being stopped on the Las Vegas Strip in a black Cadillac Escalade by a police motorcycle officer who smelled marijuana smoke coming from the vehicle driven by Waits. Hilton was charged with suspicion of felony cocaine possession after police found a small amount of cocaine in her purse. Waits charged with driving under the influence.

John Loengard//Time Life/Getty Images

Young women born or wed into great wealth, then cast into the public eye, are endowed with collective hope and expectation.  Vessels of vicarious living, we suffer with them as they fall prey to gold diggers, mental illness and the responsibilities that come with privilege.   Not all famous heiresses are doomed.   There are those who use their resources and influence in positive ways.

Let’s take a look at some of the Celebutantes that preceded the Casey Johnsons and Paris Hiltons of todays media landscape.  See the full gallery here.

Bert Morgan/Getty Images

Brenda Frazier (two above), for whom the term Celebutante was coined in 1935, was the daughter of a wealthy Boston family and married football star Shipwreck Kelly, with whom she had one daughter.  It was said that she suffered from a stiff neck, trying to keep her hair in perfect order.  Later in life, she lived a hermetic existence, ravaged by anorexia and bulimia in Cape Cod.

Evelyn Nesbit, aka the girl in the red velvet swing, began life destitute, but blessed with beautiful auburn hair and a curvaceous figure and became an in-demand artists model as a teenager, until at age 16  she encountered Architect Stanford White, who according to lore, plied her with enough champagne to steal her virginity.  White enjoyed pushing young women in the a red velvet covered swing for his aesthetic pleasure in a room of his apartment with mirrors. She carried on with White for a while, became involved with John Barrymore and then married Harry Kendall Thaw, who later murdered Stanford White at a theater performance in a rage of jealousy.  Nesbit was eventually a vaudeville performer, silent film actress and penned two memoirs.  Later in life she struggled with addiction, suicide attempts and alcoholism, eventually became a ceramics teacher.  In 1955, a movie was made about her life called “The Girl In The Velvet Swing”.

Roger Viollet Collection/Getty Images

Barbara Hutton, called “poor little rich girl” by her generation, was heiress to the Woolworth and E.F Hutton fortunes.  She came into her $50,000,000 inheritance in 1933.  She was married seven times, but claimed to have loved only her third husband, actor Cary Grant. He was the only one of her husbands that didn’t take substantial money with them after each divorce.  A shy young woman, Hutton was  uncomfortable with her status.  She struggled with anorexia throughout her life.  She bore only one child, a son who was killed in an airplane crash when he was 36.  She died at the Beverly Hills Hotel with only $3,500 to her name.

Susan Wood/Getty Images

Jane Holzer, also known as Baby Jane Holzer, was born to a wealthy Real Estate family and spent her early years living in Florida and the New York area.  She was thrown into the limelight when a photo of her taken by David Bailey, appeared in British Vogue.  She married into more Real Estate money when she connected with Leonard Holzer.  The couple lived in a twelve room apartment on Park Avenue.   Holzer became acquainted with Andy Warhol and starred in a number of his films  and ran in the same Factory social circuits.  She never became engulfed in the drug culture of the Factory scene and became an art collector, film producer and real estate star in her own right.

*Thanks to Marcia Dover Hoffman for her research and story conception for Society Women on the Edge.

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It’s the simple things that matter. And whoever said that wasn’t wrong. That’s why we’ve just taken a look at our site and concentrated our efforts on the little things that all add up to a much better experience for everyone who visits.

We’ve made our search tool more, well, searching. We’ve made the nuts and bolts things, like managing your account, easier. Made changes to our shopping cart. And we’ve also introduced electronic invoicing.

When you add all the changes up, it makes the whole experience easier, clearer and a great deal faster than ever before. Here’s a taste of what we’ve done:

Search that’s more searching

Looking for an image of a boat? Or maybe a particular city? Or a pet dog? Then it’s likely that will be the focus of the images you want to see. It’s not rocket science, we know. But it is the key to how we’ve changed our image search.

So, we’ve improved our search, giving a greater weight to the keywords you enter. The result? The most relevant results are shown at the top of your search so you get what you want quicker.

See the difference in the screen shots below:

Before:

After:

Find out more

We’ve made some other changes throughout the site to make things easier, clearer and faster. Want to know more? Click here for a summary.

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Getty Images and Bridges to Understanding are honored to be among a strong group of partners supporting the Democracy Photo Challenge, a public-private partnership with the U.S. State Department. The project invites people around the world to complete the phrase, “Democracy is..” with their photo.

(A wonderful photo from Getty Images that captures the spirit of democracy)

The Democracy Photo Challenge received nearly 3,000 entries from people in 131 countries.  A series of judges reviewed every entry and narrowed the field to 36 finalists, representing 6 regions of the world.

Now it’s the online public’s turn to vote and choose the top 12 winning images.  Beginning today and running unti August 26, you, your friends, family and colleagues can participate by voting here.

Jury co-chair Phil Borges, founder of Bridges to Understanding and a contributing photographer with Getty Images, says, “This challenge brought together people from all over the world, some in countries with democratic government but many, not.  They all expressed their ideals and dreams, as well as concerns and realities, using the power of the lens to reveal their unique approach to the subject.  The response was tremendous and the image quality is extraordinary.  The scope and breadth of the work also exemplifies how much the digital revolution has democratized the media and photography.”

Please vote and help select the winners, who will be announced on the UN’s International Day of Democracy, September 15 and the winning photographs will be displayed at the UN in New York.

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Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Actresses Selma Blair, Laura Ramsey and Stephanie Pratt played with transparency for the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “Middle Men” at the ArcLight Theaters on August 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.  In typical timeless style, Blair wore a black tube dress with a gossamer overlay.  Ramsey channelled the 80’s with a black, lace panelled one-piece and Pratt revived sleek 90’s minimalism with a sheer blocked tank dress.  Who used this illusion to its fullest potential?  We are voting Selma.  What do you think?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

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It was an amazing six weeks traveling with the Spanish national football team and I couldn’t believe it would come to an even more amazing end when Spain played in the final match against my native homeland of Holland.

This World Cup trip has taken me, and my Spanish colleagues, from Schrun and Innsbruck in Austria back to Madrid and Murcia in Spain to Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and again Durban and Johannesburg. After a bit of a slow start against Switzerland, Spain players David Villa, Andres Iniesta, and the rest of the Spanish team, quickly picked up the pace and made it all the way to the final.

It was a sight to see – one hundred and sixteen Spaniards and one Dutchman, leaving the Road Lodge home in Potchefstroom behind, set on the last leg of their long travel; on our way to the final of the 2010 World Cup, played at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

After a three hour (or so) bus ride from Potchefstroom to Johannesburg we arrived at our hotel. We had just enough time for lunch before we had to leave to get to the Spanish training session at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. After weeks of chatting with my Dutch friends, who are following the Dutch team trough South Africa, it is great seeing them again. Jerry, Guus, Olaf, Koen, Michael, Hans and many more, with lots to talk about before the training session started. The Soccer City stadium was impressive and I quickly found seat number 214 — my seat for the final match.

The following morning, I woke up after a good night of sleep, from the sound of ‘Manolo El Bombo de España’ drumming his drum under my bedroom window while singing Yo soy español, español, español. Thanks for that Manolo, but that wake up call made me quickly realize that it was finally the day for the final match.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

After I ate breakfast and packed my gear it was time to go to the stadium. Instead of the usual manaña, manaña we arrive well ahead of the game at the stadium. After meeting up with the rest of the Getty Images team we make our way inside the stadium way earlier than usual due to the closing ceremony that will be held before the match in which Nelson Mandela was rumored to appear. After setting up my remote cameras behind the goal, and preparing the other cameras with which I would shoot during the match, it was time for the closing ceremony.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

The appearance of Nelson Mandela was short but impressive. The former South African president waved to the crowd seated on the back of a golf cart. It’s been awhile that I have had goose bumps while taking pictures, but this moment brings them back. It was very impressive and it made the atmosphere so much more electric than it already was.

But… back to reality. It was time to look for the famous girlfriends of the Dutch players. Dressed with an orange muppet on her head and wrapped in a Dutch flag, the girlfriend of Wesley Sneijder, Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen, was standing with the girlfriend of John Heitinga, Charlotte-Sophie Zenden. The two were easy to find.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Finally, it was 20:30hrs, the referee blew his whistle and the 2010 World Cup final match was on its way. My position gave me the Spain attack in the first half. In my heart, as a Dutch man, I was hoping for Holland to win, but I knew Spain was the strongest team. Having followed the Spanish players for the past weeks and, most of them, during this season’s Champions League and Spanish La Liga, I know how good they are.

After many hard moments of football and emotions the game goes into extra time. The match was finally getting underway with good football and some great shots on goal by both Holland and Spain.

Unfortunately for the Dutch, Andre Iniesta scored the winning goal at the end of the second half of overtime. As the goal is scored on the other end of the pitch from where I was, I concentrated on the Spanish goal keeper celebrating his teammate’s goal.

Two minutes later the match is over. Holland loses. While the Dutch deal with their disappointment, Spain is handed the trophy. Their joy is obvious and amazing. Having followed this team and the final game, these boys deserved to win the 2010 World Cup.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Photos by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

After the celebrations on the pitch it was time to pack my gear. After a well-deserved refreshment with my colleagues, it was time to say goodbye to them, until the next assignment. I headed off to the Spanish media bus, comforted by my Spanish colleagues on the Dutch team’s loss.

At two in the morning I arrived at the Johannesburg International airport.  I rushed past queues of surprised looking fans and  I was on the Spanish team plane within 20 minutes after arriving to the airport. Three hours after the match I am airborne, leaving the winter, the 2010 World Cup tournament and a fantastic country behind. Now off to warmth of the Spanish summer.

Whether you wanted it or not, soon after take-off it was party time and I was starting to feel like it was going to be a long flight. While hanging in one of the plane’s galleys, waiting for a photo opportunity with the Spanish team, the World Cup trophy was handed to me. This was a chance one does not get too often, especially being Dutch.  A colleague quickly snaps a picture for me as proof and as a memory for later.

That’s me holding the trophy.

After handing back the trophy we finally get the opportunity to photograph the Spanish players on the plane.

Photos by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Not much longer, we land in Madrid, where thousands of fans and the summer weather are waiting for us.

While my Getty Images colleagues Denis and Angel cover the players arrival, I picked up my luggage and changed my winter boots, jeans and jumper for summer clothes in the backseat of a taxi. I made it to my spot on Gran Via in the center of Madrid just in time to cover the player’s parade.

I was amazed by the crowd. Of course I had imagined that the fans in Spain would be going crazy after winning the World Cup but to completely understand the importance of the title, you have to see the hundreds of Spanish flags waving in the air.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

While the bus with the players celebrating  on it slowly made its way through the crowd, I took my last 2010 World Cup pictures realizing what a privileged position I have had over the past few weeks. I have witnessed and documented history watching  Spain becoming world champions.

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

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Editor’s note: We recently received the following update from our friend, Bonile Bam, about his documentary work with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, among other experiences. Please note, all photos are courtesy of Bonile Bam.

“In 2003, before I left Johannesburg  for New York, I was invited by The Nelson Mandela Foundation to photograph the former president and his guests.  At the end of  the event, I shook his soft right hand. On hearing the voice at close range, my heart pumped harder and harder.  Mandela, who is also known as Madiba, said “Good to see you young man, I’m glad you came.”  Smiling, he continued, “You must treat a camera like a key, it will unlock many doors for you.”

That was a turning point in my life.

Three months later, I received a call from the Market Photo Workshop, the school of photography  established in Johannesburg by documentary photographer, David Goldblatt.  I was told about the Getty Images Fellows Program in New York. Since it had been a dream to further my studies, I embraced the opportunity and applied.

Give thanks to that special handshake with Madiba – I was chosen to be the first Getty Images Fellow,  to study for a year at the ICP, and to work as an intern with the Getty Images news desk between terms.  While in NY, I took every opportunity presented before me – learning as much as I could  – with a vision to bring the skills to Africa.

Not so long back in my own country, I was faced with numerous challenges.  To escape them, I began a photo project tracing Nelson Mandela’s footsteps in Mthatha, Eastern Cape – not far from where I was born.  The idea was to tell a South African story.  To achieve this, I documented the spaces and structures that governed his childhood -  focusing more on struggles, tradition, heritage, culture, and memory.  This route inspired me – hence the problems were reduced each time I moved forward – I later reconnected with myself.   In 2008, The Star published an article I wrote as tribute to Madiba’s 90^th birthday.

I freelanced for various institutions, publications, organizations and wrote part time for The Sunday Independent newspaper and  covered assignments in the townships, urban and rural areas.

Now, I am represented by Seippel Gallery, contribute to Gallo Images and to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

This year, Madiba’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, requested me to be an in- house photographer for the Mandela family in Mvezo Great Place (where Mandela’s umbilical cord was hidden in 1918).”

Bonile’s latest work can be seen  in the following Exhibits:

Iziko Art Collections, Cape Town , until September

Africa Salutes you Mandela – Mandela Foundation, 11 June – July

Apartheid, Struggle, Freedom – SA photography 1950 2010, Berlin, Ulm and Goch, Germany

Photo Workshop -  World Cup Rural and Urban Photo Diary Newtown, Joburg

AngloGold – World Cup Rural and Urban Photo Diary , Newtown, Joburg

Mandela Day – Pretoria Art Museum, opens July 18

Mandela Day – Maponya Mall, Soweto, opens July 18

Meaning of Home – Mandela Foundation, opens July 18

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85432054, Siobhan Connally/Getty Images

Beginning today, you might notice a small change to the way you access gettyimages.com.

You’ll see the difference in your browser as we automatically redirect you to your local site –gettyimages.co.uk, gettyimages.ie, or gettyimages.dk, for example. One thing you won’t see is a difference in the quality or variety of imagery, footage and music you already find on gettyimages.com.

Once on your local site, you’ll also see stuff that’s specific to your country – like promotions, events and themed content. As well as prices automatically displayed in the correct currency for your country.

Auto redirection isn’t new: websites like Google and Yahoo use it to deliver a better, more relevant visitor experience. We’re hoping you’ll enjoy the benefits of going local at Getty Images too. But, if you don’t, you’ll always have the option to return to our .com site (or any other of our local sites) by using the ‘International’ button in the top right corner of the homepage.

If you have any feedback about the change – good or bad – please do get in touch by using the ‘Contact us’ section at the bottom left of your local site’s homepage. Or just leave a comment here.

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