Sea stories

The superstar sniper Quasey McDonald, who can hold his breath for 10 minutes and go to depths that none of the other divers with him can manage.

“Sometime, when I’m out there, I have to tell myself I’m not a fish!” He told me as we sat on the beach. “Otherwise I’d forget to come up for air.”

How do you do it? Hold your breath for so long?

“It’s like a meditation. I slow my heart until it almost stops.”

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened at sea?

“Two sharks tried to take my catch, but I wasn’t sharing so I fought them off!”

Quasey, you need your own series... I’ll call it ‘Sea Stories’. I can’t fit all these gems in one portrait!

I’ll be back!

 
 
Story gallery
Gabrielle // Roots
Gabrielle // Roots

While exploring Constant Spring Arcade in Halfway Tree, I stumbled across Gabrielle at her workshop. A born entrepreneur, a self-taught fashion designer with a mission, ambitious, hardworking, business savvy with a contagious smile. The following day I came back with my camera. We spoke about life, work, family expectations and the importance of positive African consciousness within Jamaica.

Thank you Gabrielle for your pure light and positive energy, you’re truly inspiring!

Check out Quaint by GSC to get your hands on some of Gabrielle’s work.

Sassy Sue // Independence
Sassy Sue // Independence

Sassy Sue lives and works in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. She's been a hairdresser for 18 years now and has her regulars who keep coming back. Developing, refining and perfecting her craft, Sue takes time, care and pride in her job, building herself up independently. This is a woman who has put her mind to something and made it happen.

Jamaican woman have a strength, drive and power that has truely inspired me to dig deeper and push harder. There are a lot of narratives about women who depend on men and who don’t want to work within Jamaica, but in reality there are just as many (if not more) narratives of women who are making big moves through their independent businesses. These are the stories I want to hear, these are the stories I want to share.

Big up yourself Sassy Sue. You are a strong, independent and successful woman!

Bingy // Hats
Bingy // Hats

Trained as a pastry chef, Bingy took up weaving late in life after having a stroke which left him without movement in three of his fingers. Over time he has developed a hat design which uses locally harvested calabash with a brim of woven screw pine. Bingy exhibits his work from a roadside rest-stop in Annotto Bay, hanging his piece on wooden beams and bamboo posts along the outside of the building.

Bingy’s calabash surfaces are left rough, raw and natural; highlighting their organic textures and unique characteristics. With limited tools Bingy works slowly and methodically to create each hat. To create the ventilation holes on the side of the hats - along with all the holes to weave into -Bingy uses a small razor to bore through the calabash.

Racquel // Weaving
Racquel // Weaving

Brown has been weaving since she was twelve years old, a tradition which runs in her family, passed down to her from her grandfather. Using screw pine, harvested from along the coast, Brown combines twill weaving, plating and plain weaving to create her baskets, adding little cross-stitches throughout her work for detail.

By passing her work over a fire made from waste straw, Brown is able to extract the natural oils from the screw pine, leaving her finished pieces glossy. Within Jamaica, the techniques and designs Brown uses have become rare to find.

Alexis // Strong Women
Alexis // Strong Women

For Alexis, it's the strong women in her life who have guided her, taught her and kept her aiming high.

Take the time to give thanks for the beautiful role models in your life. The women and men who push you, support you and encourage you all the way. These are the people who influence and inspire, these are the people that set us on our track and watch us fly. Take time to be a supportive role model, take time to nurture and uplift the people around you.