Melissa Alcena is a gifted photographer hailing from the attractive islands of the Bahamas. Her ardour for pictures has led her on a journey of self-discovery and reconnection along with her native nation after learning in Canada. By way of her lens, she captures the essence of Bahamian tradition and other people, bringing a recent perspective to the usually clichéd photographs of the Caribbean.
Alcena’s pictures type is a singular mix of portrait and documentary, with a deal with capturing folks of their pure environments. She believes in constructing a connection along with her topics, leading to intimate and genuine images that showcase the true spirit of the Bahamas. Her images should not simply photographs, however a testomony to the robust bonds of kinship and a celebration of the beautiful Bahamian panorama.
After finishing her research in Canada, Alcena returned to her roots within the Bahamas, utilizing her pictures as a option to rediscover her homeland. By way of this exploration, she has been capable of showcase the wonder and variety of the Bahamian panorama, shifting past the standard postcard photographs usually related to the Caribbean. Her images inform a narrative of the folks, their tradition, and their connection to the land.
Alcena’s work has been widely known, and she or he has exhibited her images in each the Bahamas and New York Metropolis. Her portfolio is a shocking assortment of photographs that seize the colourful colours, wealthy tradition, and heat hospitality of the Bahamas. She additionally affords portrait classes and documentary pictures companies, permitting others to expertise her distinctive perspective on the islands.
As a Bahamian photographer, Alcena’s work is a supply of delight for her nation and a illustration of the expertise and creativity that may be discovered within the Bahamas. Her ardour for pictures and her dedication to showcasing the true essence of her homeland make her a priceless asset to the creative neighborhood.
Melissa Alcena is a Bahamian portrait and documentary photographer who makes use of her lens to inform the story of her nation and its folks. By way of her intimate and genuine images, she brings a recent perspective to the usually stereotyped photographs of the Caribbean. Her work is a testomony to her love for the Bahamas and her dedication to showcasing its magnificence to the world.
I used to be born and raised right here in Nassau, Bahamas. I didn’t have a powerful connection to my tradition rising up. My household wasn’t tremendous big and all of us weren’t that related at the moment, which was uncommon for a Caribbean household, to be trustworthy — however that’s what my state of affairs was. I didn’t really feel a connection to my nation in any respect. Additionally, when your accent isn’t as robust, there may be this sense: “Oh, you don’t sound Bahamian. You’re not one in every of us. You’ll be able to’t relate to us.” I used to be launched to pictures early on by my father’s espresso desk e book. They have been predominantly in all these totally different international locations in Africa. I knew that whoever the photographers have been — probably white males — they have been attempting to carry consideration to those totally different cultures, and I appreciated that no less than. As a interest, I might take footage of individuals as a result of I wished to know their tales. A digital camera was a manner of exploring that.
– Mellissa
