Close-up with Best Photographer Edson Reece
Edson Reece never imagined that his photography hobby would one day develop into a successful business, but thatâs exactly what happened.
About 10 years ago, he started taking pictures with a friendâs small digital camera. Today, Reece operates under two brands: Emages Photography and @caribbeanweddings by Edson Reece, and the focus is on him as the Best Photographer of SVG.
Weddings are a major part of his business; however, Reece also does general event photography, marketing work for companies, and wall art on canvas, featuring pictures of nature, close-ups of objects and abstract photos. Reece shared with SEARCHLIGHT his unique perspective as he pursues his photography passion.
Q: How did you become a professional photographer?
A: I used to work at a nightclub and to promote the nightclub I started taking pictures and thatâs how the event part of it started. Then I got my first wedding; it was a neighbour. Other persons had checked me to do weddings, but I was too scared. It was a neighbour of mine, so I decided to just do it. That was really when I realized I could do this thing as a business.
Q: Why are you so surprised with your success?
A: I am surprised because I just like taking photos, really. I mean, I like the business part of it too, but Iâm not only in it for money. I just really like taking photos. I didnât expect to reach this far. Social media is good for me with photography. When I go to the Grenadines and do weddings, some of the clients said that they found out about St Vincent and the Grenadines because of my work on Instagram and Facebook and they decided to get married here. Clients have reached out to me from as far as Germany… Australia…
Q: What are some of your favourite projects?
A: Personally, I had a project where I was taking a photo every day for the year: a sunset. I called it Project 365. I did some work for Richmond Vale Academy one time. I really enjoyed that, because we spent the weekend there and went into nature and I love nature. Sometimes I wish more of my jobs could be with nature, but you know people call you for different stuff mostly.
Iâve been really enjoying weddings. Itâs become really special to me. Growing up, all my friends used to get invited to weddings. I never went to a wedding until I started getting jobs to shoot weddings and Iâve learnt so many things. I just like capturing happy moments. I know some other photographers go all out to get their best images; set up their shots in the most fancy way. I prefer to get the moment that they were in… that they remember; not the memory that I created and put them in.
Q: What makes your photography special?
A: I try to use my own style. I never studied photography. I learnt everything on my own and then by the time I bought books to see if I could learn what I didnât know, I realized the books were teaching me the stuff I already learnt on my own. I just have a different perspective. In photography, itâs all about your perspective. Thatâs what makes your picture different.
Q: Whatâs a moment in your career that stands out for you?
A: I normally submit to National Geographic Daily Dozen, where photographers from around the world, thousands of us, try to make the cover. They pick a daily dozen, from thousands of photographers, and out of that dozen, you make the cover or the inside of the magazine. Iâve made the daily dozen. For them to see my work and recognize my work, it was really good for me.
Q: Where do you see yourself going with photography?
A: I would love to be a photographer with National Geographic. Iâve been thinking about that since I was a kid. My ultimate goal as a photographer is to just work in photography only, to have my own studio and to inspire others. The greatest payment I could ever get from photography is my work inspiring others.
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