Fitness Shoot Branding (BTS)
We postponed this shoot nearly 5 times before we finally got everything lined up to shoot fitness trainer and lifestyle brand Latoya Moxey. Latoya called me months before to ask me if I'd be interested in helping her create her new fitness brand and before she could finish asking I eagerly agreed. I love shooting lifestyle and fitness was always something I was interested in so it was a win-win for me looking at the bigger picture.
Before shooting we met up to go over outfits at her home and Latoya must have brought out a million and one pieces of fitness apparel, in every color and shade with athletic shoes to match. I found myself surrounded by nothing short of a sporting brand factory store and we quickly narrowed down several options that would give our shoot a palette of diverse styles. Old Fort Bay was our locale of choice as it provided many different scenic areas for backdrops. I’d shot here a handful of times so I was no stranger to the property and I felt, at first, Id be challenged trying to find unique spaces for Latoya but the team and I worked through to find some incredible spot to compliment our subjects look and styling.
We shot throughout the day, capturing lifestyle poses as well as some using motion and exercise. I shot all-natural light with my Nikon D750 and a Sigma 85mm f1.4 lens and the lighting all around the property was buttery smooth and hit all the right angles creating light flares and hazes that one just couldn't create in post. (I mean you could but it looks so much better when It's natural)
Overall, I enjoyed working on these images, more so because I chose a very minimal setup, I used a diffuser to block the subject from too much light and a reflector to help fill in darker areas of her face and body. In most cases, I found that shooting wide open (f1.4 - f2.8) would prove to be too intense but shooting at smaller apertures (f3.5 - f4) helped me maintain sharpness on the subject and keep some blur on the backgrounds. Please enjoy the images below and be sure to watch the BTS video!!
Styling + Photography: Scharad Lightbourne
Hair: Skyline Designs
MUA: LooksbyChar
Grips: Catina Ferguson + Rayandra Nairn
I shot at the dopest wedding location ever! Leo & Keva Creary
Last year Leo, Keva and I had a meeting to discuss their wedding day. It was full circle for me in many aspects because I’d mentored Leo for many years and he’d come to me for a long time whenever he wanted photos of himself. This time was different though. It was his wedding day and I was so honored that he and his fiance asked me to be their wedding photographer. The first question I had for the couple was; “Is it going to be in Bimini?” because I knew of a dope location, a shipwreck on the island that I KNEW I had to use as a backdrop.
So…I’ll skip all the bells and whistles and get right to it. It was particularly exciting for me because I’d done my fair share of weddings, but this backdrop was going to be the delta of wedding locations for me. I told the couple we’d have to shoot at sunset because their wedding was earlier in the day.
I shot in and around the boat and used a strobe to assist me with the lighting. The location and natural light were incredible. The couple even agreed to go in the remains of the ship, part of which was partially submerged in the sand. The images were magical and I was so happy to capture this couple in a way that made me happy as well.
After being featured in both Essence and Adriana Magazines, I now have the chance to post these. Be sure to check out the behind the scenes video below.
Signature Styles Holiday ’19: “Lady in Red” Collection
Words by Sherron Young
The product of two authorities stemming from two completely different industries, fuse for an electrifying reveal.
Scharad Lightbourne, renowned Bahamian Photographer has established quite the name for himself, introducing photography in lighting that forces all eyes.
As a pioneer in his industry, Scharad re-invests heavily into budding photographers, mentoring them all while capturing stunning polaroids of some of the largest names in the Region.
While immersed in his work which dictates a rather overwhelming schedule, it leaves very little time for projects of the heart. He says being the creative that he is first, sometimes leaves him famished for a creative project, one that he can call his own and that is born from a pure passion in photography.
This collection was precisely that, a birthing of a veteran photographer's soul; bringing it to life, however, would call for a clothing line that was expansive in its collection yet exquisite, bearing fierce variables and a team whose fashion sense purely distracts.
Mitzi Turnquest, fashion connoisseur and founder of Bahamian Fashion Empire; Signature Styles, partnered with the noble photographer for the capturing of her brand's 4 tiered holiday collection which features bold reds among other holiday looks. As her brand moves to onboard an international line, Turnquest thought it the perfect timing for a peak in the brands look and feel in the changing of the company's entire branding scheme, logo, inter-store cosmetics among other upgrades. This photo-shoot would serve as just another feature to the brands full overhaul and seal her efforts placing Signature Styles in due position as the leading ladies’ fashion brand.
She along with her team collaborated with Lightbourne on a set that looked like we were in Miami South Beach, bearing floor to ceiling glass walls and a memorizing view of the Nassau Harbour. The ambiance alone was a sight to behold, amplified by model and social influencer; Denise Francis.
This campaign showcases the profound power of collaboration but more importantly raises the bar in editorial fashion locally. The collection definitely opens your senses for a better product in 2020 as they have certainly outdone themselves this year. All looks are available within the Marathon Rd location commencing 10:00 am December 3rd with a sip and shop experience. All are welcomed.
Photographer: Scharad Lightbourne
MUA: Y. Aysia
Model/Hair Stylist: Denise Francis
Styling: Mitzie Turnquest
Styling Assistant: Cordero Toussaint
Grip: Tariq Cartwright / Stephen McKinney
Tony & Geena: An Engagement Session
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
Shooting a Naturalista ft Rache Josey
Most times, when shooting a client, they often start by saying, "Now I’m not a model, inferring that they have no idea what to do or that they won’t appear as beautiful. I believe that as a photographer, its ones job to make every client look and feel good. It's an art to pull something from the average person and make them appear in a whole different light. Such was the case with Rache.
When we first met up for her consultation, the first thing I noticed was her natural hair and I asked if it was all hers to which she replied, “yes” but she seemed not to care too much for it. I was shocked considering it was so much! She took it down and I knew right away that I would focus this shoot around her hair. I had a makeup artist and hairstylist who wanted to work on someone natural not taking away from their skin or hair and Rache was perfect.
She asked about clothing and I didn't want anything too fussy, I kept things simple; a summer dress and I liked the idea of overalls. I wanted a summer theme in a garden photoshoot. My client, Caribbean Landscape graciously lent me their premises to complete the shoot. This was a great shoot, natural, effortless and free.
Enjoy the images and the cinematic BTS video below.
Model: Rache Josey
Photographed + Styled by: Scharad Lightbourne
Hair: Ryen Fox
MUA: Raven Forbes
Grips: Kenton Ferguson
Video: Sherard Campbell (iFocus Films)
WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO
(and be sure to subscribe to my page for more behind the scenes)
Enchanted Forest Maternity Session
If this beautiful woman looks familiar, you are not seeing things. Gail Clarke was recently shot by my team and I, 5 months ago to announce she and her husband Wenrick were expecting. Gail and Wen without question, just after that shoot, began to discuss the idea of shooting the actual maternity session.
I told Gail, we had to think out of the box, take the session outside of the studio and shoot her in an unexpected place. She has no issues with my ideas nor did she question my thought process. In fact, she told me to run with it. She’d bought a red dress already and she told me she’d fix her natural hair in a particular way.
We took the couple to the Primeval Forest, a protected park on the island of New Providence and I’d photographed numerous people here but never a maternity session! The couple had never seen this location before so they were immediately impressed when presented with the area. The thick foliage, natural trails and rock patterns gave us great backdrops to shoot Gail and her red dress certainly popped when putting into all that green. It was a great contrast!
Gail was a trooper. We fought through humidity, poison oak, mosquitoes, and other flying characters to get the frames we wanted. Oh, we threw Wenrick into a few shots for fun which he was completely ok with! Since I've gotten into maternity portraits, I’ve really just included the male as a prop! We did share a few laughs on set about this statement by the way.
Please enjoy the images below.
MUA: Khandise Bain.
Grip: Tameka Petithomme
