Portraits of Grenada
Pure Grenada
A Visual Love Letter to the Spice Isle
Grenada isn’t just photogenic — it’s soulful. From luxe beachfront escapes to unfiltered moments in fishing villages, this island invites you to shoot with intention. Whether I was capturing the polished elegance of Silversands or sharing a riverside meal with a vegan chef, Grenada gave me stories — not just scenes.
The Carenage: Grit and Grace
The journey started in the Grenada Carenage, a historic harbor that curves around the coastline like an old-world amphitheater. There’s a lived-in beauty here — brightly painted buildings perched just above the water, boats bobbing in rhythm, fishermen hauling in the morning catch.
It reminded me more of a coastal French village than a Caribbean capital, and it set the tone: this was going to be about capturing real life, not just beautiful backdrops. I reached for the Texas Leica (Fuji GW690III) to do it justice — its medium format gave weight to each frame, inviting stillness and focus.
From Luxe to Local: The Soul of Grenada
I’ve never considered myself a landscape photographer. I’m drawn to people, to feeling, to subtle cues that tell you where you are without shouting. Grenada gave me both ends of the spectrum — the refined luxury of Silversands and the raw charm of the everyday.
At Silversands, it was all clean lines, soft linens, and that perfect interplay between design and nature. The team there understood craft. The spa manager made sure every element — from lighting to timing — was considered. We weren’t just creating visuals, we were building atmosphere.
But equally moving were the everyday faces:
- The rum shack owner who handed me a morning coffee, no questions asked.
- The younger gentleman who cooked a custom vegetarian “oil down” just for me, steaming with turmeric, coconut, and soul.
- The sailboat captain who intuitively knew every angle of the island — and how to find the light.
This is where portraiture thrives. Between luxury and life. That middle space where something honest emerges.
A Chef by the River
One of the trip’s standout experiences was a day spent with Joachim Jammeal, a local vegan chef (@joachimjammeal) whose creativity is rooted in the land. We trekked to a quiet riverbank surrounded by wild greenery. There, he cooked a meal over an open fire — callaloo, yams, Grenadian spice peppers, and fresh coconut milk, all prepared with the kind of rhythm that comes from growing up in tune with your environment. I documented the entire process using both film and digital, soaking up the textures of flame, steam, skin, and soil. It was one of those rare moments where nothing needed staging — it was all there.Tools of the Trade: Film + Digital
This trip was about balance, and so was my kit:- Film: Texas Leica + Fuji GA645
- Digital: Hasselblad X2D
Final Thoughts: The Real Grenada
Grenada has all the visual ingredients: mountains, beaches, black volcanic sand, waterfalls — you name it. But it’s not the topography that stays with you. It’s the vibe. The generosity. The sense that beauty lives not just in luxury resorts, but in the face of a man offering you lunch by the sea.
As a photographer, this island gave me everything: the polish of a five-star property and the intimacy of local life — both held in equal regard.
This is Pure Grenada. And this is what I live to shoot.