3 minute read
Antigua through my lens - Yohance Brown
Yohance Brown has lived in Antigua for the past six years after leaving his native Jamaica for the twin islands’ shores. An avid hiker and sportsman, his photos reflect his love for the great outdoors. We caught up with Yohance to find out a bit more about his hobby.
When did your passion for photography first begin?
It’s really hard to pinpoint an exact time; I’ve always loved looking at beauty, especially beauty that you didn’t plan on seeing. And I think that best describes Antigua – unexpected beauty. I found my camera roll starting to fill up the moment I took my first hike here on this island.
Hiking is one of your hobbies. How has exploring nature influenced your photography style?
A peculiar thing about nature is that it creeps up on you. There’s an energy and inspiration that comes from being immersed in the natural world that uplifts your spirit. That’s the feeling I try to capture in my photos. My goal is to let the image be a vessel for the emotion experienced in that moment.
You’ve spent several years working in banking, which is quite different from photography. In what ways does photography offer you an escape from your work in finance?
The world of finance can be highly charged and energy-sapping, even at the best of times. Photography gives me a necessary detachment from that and replenishes my resources.
What do you love most about living in Antigua, and how has the island inspired your photography?
It’s hard to sum it up in just one thing. It has an untouched, accessible beauty. Most of the island is the same as it’s been for centuries, and you don’t have to travel long distances to experience it. So that’s a big plus point for me, as I have never been a big ‘planner’ but more of a go-with-the-flow guy.
Do you have a favourite spot on the island?
There are a few, but Carpenter’s Rock and the Pillars of Hercules trail will always take my breath away.
What’s a personal mantra or life motto that drives your approach to life? We’re here for a very limited time in the grand scheme of things, so I try to leave anything I interact with a little better than how I found it. And this world can be very cruel, so I try to lighten the burden for others.
To view more of Yohance’s work, check out: Instagram.com/yohbimages
