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Shambhala

Mother from Dutch Guyana, father from Holland - Photographer

Shambhala - Click on image to view other services
  
 

Apart from my Buddhist name meaning Source of Light, nothing could lead me to believe that I would become a photographer. I had a successful education andgot three University Degrees - English Literature, Philosophy and Mathematics. But I had no idea what my future would be until I was 'discovered' by FAM Collections, a model agency specialised in couture designers. At 6"1, I had no other choice. Fashion was not the career of my choice but I must admit I liked the job although I was the most anti-fashion model in the industry: I did not care about my weight, my hair was as dry as straw and I never went to the parties organised for and by the 'beautiful' people. 

  
  In 1995, after five years on the catwalks - Yves St Laurent, Valentino, Dior, Ungaro, Chanel, Paco Rabanne, Givenchy and independent Italian designers - I was booked for a show in Burkina Faso, Africa. The trip was a life-changing experience. As soon as I landed on the African continent, I knew I would become a photographer.The light was exceptional, the flavours, the colours and the people inspired me.Photography seemed more designed for my talkative and multilingual nature than fashion.Back to Paris, I quit modelling.I still did not know anything about photography, until I met a photographer who, seduced by my keenness, took me under his wing and taught me his art for two years. Photojournalism and portraiture were my favorite subjects. Every face tells a story and everyone has a story to tell. I wanted to photograph the beauty of real people in their real lives. At the time, I had a real admiration for war photographers and wanted to join them on the front line. So I went to Sarajevo in 1996, got the scare of my life and decided to turn to safer subjects. In my spare time, I had been playing the bass for a few years so I started my career taking pictures of Jazz musicians, the more famous the better - my portraits include Archie Shepp, Abbey Lincoln, The Skatalites, Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke. 

I came to London in 1997.My first pictures, about survivors of war, were published in Marie Claire. Soon followed work for Pride, the Guardian, the Sunday Times Magazine, Untold and Black Media Journal.I am currently doing actors portfolios and corporate work,as well as digitally restoring vintage photographs.

INTERFACE- As Chair of Intermix, I felt the need to show a collection of pictures of mixed race individuals and mixed couples. We need Intermix because it promotes our Mixed-Race identity in a positive light. As the Mixed-Race population is ever-growing, it is important that we all come together to celebrate our dual heritage. I am grateful to Intermix for giving me the platform to present my first-ever exhibition. I had only a month to get it ready. Choosing the models was easy: I've met most of them on the street or by word of mouth. Contrary to my work as a fashion model where I had to stand in a studio for hours, I prefer, as a photographer, to make the sessions as short as possible and on location because I know most people are notcomfortable in front of a camera. Luckily, all complied, for which I am grateful. This exhibition is only the beginning - I intend to take more pictures like these and invite people to come forward. So if you are yourself of mixed race or in a mixed relationship and would like to be photographed for my future exhibition, please do not hesitate to email me.		  
   
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