At what age did you start taking pictures?I had always been taking photos since I was a child but only started to seriously get into photography as an art form around age 13.
What was your first camera?A Kodak Barbie 110 colour film camera, which I still have to this day.
What do you like to photograph and which do you prefer?Anything and everything worth capturing based on my specific tastes, interests and design aesthetic; but I prefer more creatively inclined photo sessions like fashion, or editorial photo shoots.
Do you prefer colour or black and white?Depends on the subject matter presented . . . . They’re both amazing mediums that serve their purposes spectacularly.
Do you previsualize your shoots or do you put all your components together as you go?I usually plan my concepts out beforehand, and put a lot of effort into that through being inspired by things that lead me to come up with said concept. It’s all a part of my thought process. But I have been in “let’s wing it” situations and have produced better than imagined end results. What’s your favourite camera?One that works [she said, laughing]. I don’t specifically have a favourite camera. I currently utilize all of my cameras at varying times depending on subject matter or simply my mood. With that being said, I currently own a Nikon DSLR, a Polaroid Sun 600 instant film camera, a 1977 Konica film camera as well as a Minolta X-300 film camera; and have recently just fell in love with the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II – medium format is definitely a great way to go with photography.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge when working on a shoot?I find it varies from shoot to shoot, but for sure being able to get models to push through their barriers and give it their all with posing. I am not a fan of the basic “Model 101” poses – in fact, they irritate me, as the human figure is such a majestic and beautiful structure and the smallest things like pointing your toes or a graceful head tilt go a long way through the lens for me.
Do you do touch-ups on your shots? Yes, Photoshop/Lightroom are extremely effective and essential tools in my line of work.
Did you know you always wanted to do something artistic or you had a different career path in mind?I would have loved to be a ballerina! But I simply didn’t have the feet or the passion my classmates had for dance. My heart always felt more at home surrounded by art, so I knew from early there was no way I couldn’t do something related to my passion.
What photographers inspired you, or what inspires you as a photographer? Whose photography work do you like to see locally and internationally?As I’m overall an artist, I find that I get more inspired (even for my photography) by painters and their works, like my all-time favourites, Edvard Munch and Edgar Degas. However, I absolutely love the photography style and works of Sally Mann, Richard Avedon, Ansel Adams and more recently Francesca Woodman.Locally, I find the editorial work by Jaryd Niles-Morris as well as the lifestyle and family portraits by Gina Francesca Photography to be breathtaking. Aesthetic-wise I’m a huge fan of British fashion photographer Lara Jade. I’ve been following her work for a few years and she is definitely one of my current icons, not only for her stellar images but for the fact that she is so young and doing such big things within the industry.
What inspires you as a visual artist?Typically any and everything inspires me, from the musical melody/note of a song, colour of a flower to a phrase in a book or poem. I tend to base myself through life and the natural wonders of this universe as my everyday inspiration.
What are some of your upcoming projects/campaigns that we should be on the lookout for? I recently did an exhibition spot through Ryerson, to take part in their one-year President’s Office Exhibition and as I’m also just completing my first local solo show here in Barbados. I’d like to say that hopefully there will be more gallery exhibitions to come within the next academic year.
Any awards?I entered NIFCA [National Independence Festival of Creative Arts] Visual Arts for the first time in 2001 and received a bronze medal. After finding my love and specialty in photography, I was inspired to re-enter NIFCA Visual Arts under the category of Photography in 2007 and successfully gained one gold, three silver medals as well as two incentive awards (Most Promising Junior and Ministry Of Environment Award) for my first-time pieces. In 2008, I re-entered the competition successfully, gaining two silver medals and then three silvers and one bronze medal for my photographs in 2009 before leaving Barbados after graduating sixth form. What makes a really good visual artist?Passion makes everything exceed.
How do you handle critics?I find no critic is as bad as my own critiques. I am definitely an overly analytical mind and extremely hard on myself. For the most part I take outward criticism as an opportunity to grow and push my limits.
Do you put pressure on yourself in terms of the quality of your work?Always. My ambition to aid my own development and succeed is rooted through always seeing room for improvement; my path is about self-evolution and continual growth.
Do you have any funny/crazy/weird photo shoot experience that stand out to you and you would like to share?I’ll never forget the day I photographed one of my favourite models, Syanne Patterson, in the middle of a gully in St Peter. She absolutely blew everyone on set away (handlers Jacob and Dan) as she lay in the mud covered with leaves and two pythons (snakes Casper and Isis) crawling all over her topless upper body. It was nothing short of magical and loads of fun!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?Lyricist. I love music and I love to compose.
What makes a really good photographer?Loving what you do and devoting time and effort to it. Passion is the root of all genius.
