Tony & Geena: An Engagement Session

August 04, 2019 in Fashion, Lifestyle, People

I was just as elated as the rest of you when I happened to scroll social media and saw a video Geena had posted where Tony planned a surprise engagement for her. Tony and I worked together several times and I the same with Geena as she modeled for a few of the brands that I have worked with. I was excited for these two. So much that I called a meeting with them both and talked about gifting them with an engagement session.

In our meeting, I laid out my points for what I wanted to capture. I told them exactly what I felt based on their personalities. With Tony being the quiet, shy and subdued individual while Geena being the social, outspoken and expressive member of the bunch, I had the notion to shoot two looks. One of them being a more chill, homely and casual look, fitting Tony’s speed while the other being more fashion-based which would fit Geena’s personality perfectly. In the meeting, the couple laughed over and over as I hit all my points like a hammer to a nail.

I told Tony that he’d have to dress up because if you know Mr. Williams, a pair of dark shorts, a t-shirt and some tennis shoes are his life. This only made Geena excited because she expressed getting her now fiance´ to dress up was always a challenge. Tony agreed and the planning began.

With the help of Realtor Phillipa Newton of C.A. Christie, we found the perfect home to which would serve as the backdrop for their e-session. TONS of natural light flowed through the home and using my mirrorless Z6, I was able to focus more on creating my shots allowing me more time to manipulate, highlight and create a mood to the photos that simply worked. I used a reflector to help me fill in the dark areas, high ISO to let in tons of light and as I directed the two I felt like it was easy because I’d known and worked with them for some time so it was familiar to both parties.

I hope you enjoy the images.

Clients: Tony Williams + Geena Thompson

Photographed + Styled by: Scharad Lightbourne

MUA: Alexandria Miller

Grips: Dayna Pratt

Set Asst: Caneasha Carrol

Bahamian pop artist Keeya shoots new visuals for "Hella Good" single

August 29, 2016 in Creative, Lifestyle, People, Fashion

Keeya and her team met with me a few weeks back communicating that they needed "sexy, fun and hype" images for the artist's new single titled "Hella' Good." We were sitting in Starbucks and upon hearing the song, I was amped and ready to go! I loved the track, especially the lyrics and immediately, I began to visualize the images in my head.

Her energy and artsy demeanor meant that I'd have a creative range with the set and images, plus knowing I'd work with my good friend and stylist, Lavonne Alexis of ShoptheCC meant that the wardrobe would be pin-point creative!

Popop Studios, Nassau, The Bahamas, was the perfect canvas to which we'd shoot Keeya and using props like inflatable flamingos (Luxury Floats Bahamas), tea party sets (The Tea Room) and a simple mattress meant that we'd have a storyboard fitting to the song lyrics. Keeya's edgy look only added to each frame and with a monster team, we banged out look after look like it were frames from an action movie.

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO!

LISTEN TO "HELLA GOOD" by KEEYA

Miss Universe Bahamas Official Photoshoot with Scharad Lightbourne

August 23, 2016 in Lifestyle, Beauty, People

The Albany Bahamas Resort was set as the beautiful backdrop on which 10 beautiful women took their official photographs for the Miss Universe Bahamas Pageant. These lovely ladies were full of energy and laughter on set and as this production progressed, my team and I were able to get great frames from this diverse group of women.

The day was long, a production lasting over 11 hours but the ladies attitudes and personalities jumped through the camera lens. The team worked effortlessly through the blistering heat to make sure the girls were comfortable, catered to and in position to let their beauty shine through.

The makeup team, hair team and my production team all worked together, dabbing every cheek, brushing every stroke of hair and applying the best light to each contestant making sure we got the best! It was truly a fun experience for teamSL. See the FULL range of images by visiting the Miss Universe Bahamas official website.

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO

Rain Check Editorial with Atalanta Schulenberg

June 28, 2016 in Fashion, People

I remember, just recently, shooting portraits of designer Theodore Elyett. It was on the set when I previewed his latest collection and found myself itching to see the remaining pieces. The patterns combined with his use of color and texture screamed for a photoshoot. I approached Theo about the idea and he jumped with excitement, the prelude to this "Rain Check" editorial.

We planned for weeks what we were going to shoot, who the team would be and where we would shoot it. The only thing missing was a muse to bring it all together. At the time, it didn't occur to me that the perfect subject was waiting for me to ask her about photographing her. Atalanta was a student at the Lyford Cay International School, introduced to me by one of the development coordinators. She was tall, awkward with a fashion frame that my eye knew would be great for Theo's pieces.

No fitting prior to the shoot was made. We introduced the team beforehand and with the location finalized, we were ready for shoot day! The team had not seen the location before shoot but they were amazed at how amazing it was despite the overcast skies. Once we began to shoot, it was like waving a magic wand at each look. Just earlier, Atalanta said to me that she was nervous and that I'd have to direct her a lot but I knew her awkwardness would make the shots great. She'd never done a professional photo shoot before but she gave us effortless posing, frame after frame in designer pieces that fit her like they were made for her in the first place.

Please enjoy this editorial spread and our BTS video displaying amazing pieces from designer Theodore Elyett worn by our model Atalanta.

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO

The Jones' Family Portrait Session

May 24, 2016 in Lifestyle, People, Family

Deyvon and Jillian Jones along with their 3 boys, Luke, Dillan and Liam got dressed up to take family photos with team SL. Photographed, right in their own home, this large family brought out all the stops to ensure their photo-shoot was one to remember.

Uptown Downtown with Kara Mac

April 21, 2016 in Lifestyle, People

I'm really excited to finally get these "uptown downtown" images out having visited LA for the first time over 2 years ago. While in LA, I got the chance to work with a few models, Kara being one of them. She was actually suggested to me by the MUA as it was her daughter and she said that Kara had done beauty pageants, but was a passionate dancer. Now, I love dancers, dance actually; its such an amazing art form so I jumped at the chance to photograph one.

Kara was awesome on set, giving me a multitude of poses, one of the other, jumping, twirling, skipping, twisting and many more. The clothing was already her own, dance inspired, comfortable and stylish at the same time. It was a breeze to run through different looks that I actually put together myself (we had a tight budget) and everything worked well together. Hats, scarves and boots make for great foundation pieces.

Downtown LA was a photographer's paradise providing me with a buffet of interesting spaces with murals plastered everywhere, graffiti on mile long walls and just the district as a whole was visually interesting to take in. I think we spent the entire day walking around finding all these great spaces to capture.

Photographer: Scharad Lightbourne
Filmed by: Daniel K Pictures
Additional Footage: Selina Ruthe
MUA: Karen Barragato