I am Akheil Albert. I’d describe myself as a guy who tries to break the mold. I did the normal at one point; I had a very well paying job as a Field Operator in ArcelorMittal but it did not last. The norm wasn’t good enough for me. The norm was too restricting and I felt held down. At the time I had a Canon Powershot so I started dabbling in the photography world and quickly outgrew the Powershot so, I bought my first DSLR which was a Canon 20D two kit lens. After just 4 months, I needed more from my equipment, so I sold it and bought my current setup.
I don’t get technical with my work when it comes to the rule of thirds or the exposure triangle and all that jazz.
I much prefer to capture an emotion or a look based on what my eye sees in its raw natural state. Life has no rule of thirds. There is no exposure triangle when I live my life so why must there be one when I look through the viewfinder?
Blue Away
This photo came about at the launch of CNC3 studio floor. Sarah Jane Waddell of SJW Designs called me to collaborate with her as she was tasked with showcasing how you can use the cyclorama space there. Our model, Monique, did not disappoint as we got nothing but the most incredible shots through her movements in front of my camera.
Beauty on the Bedrock
This photo is a result of being asked to collaborate on a project with the model (Monique) who was given the bathing suit to showcase for an online store. I was given the responsibility of designing a shoot that was never before seen for bathing suits that also had to be done on location. So, after planning, I took her out to Fort Abercrombie in Las Cuveas, Trinidad and the stone formation had a cut out almost as though it was meant for the shape of her body.
Refraction
The beautiful Sarah of SJW Designs had some new designs. She called me to catalog them and this photo is just one of many brilliant shots we got with the help of Aaliyah. We were walking around the shoot location when I saw the plants and said this will make an amazing backdrop. I pretended to fix my settings in camera so I could catch her off guard to not have too much of a posed photo (she is very meticulous of her image). My gamble paid off, because this is one of my all time favourite shots of her.
Tropical Breeze
I was hired to shoot the collection of SS Label by Shivonne Subero. This particular client of mine hates repetitive shoots so everytime she calls me I have to bring my A game. I saw the lounge chair near the pool and told the model (Megan) to sit. I think I placed her feet then laid on the floor on my stomach to get this shot.
Free Spirit
Here we have a photo of the brilliant Shivonne Subero that I took on Carnival Tuesday 2020. There was no planning involved. I had no clue I would even find her in the chaos that is Trinidad Carnival. Luckily, I spotted her running to her band just as her section was about to cross the stage and took this photo of her in the 10 seconds I had to do so in.
Centre Fold
This photo was done after much deliberation on a concept for artwork for the newly opened Gossip Spa in Movietowne, Port of Spain. I was tasked with delivering black and white headshots for my client (Kristy) to print in a huge way but hung as artwork in the spa. This photo gave me a moment to really appreciate how far I came as a photographer. How I nearly gave up. This photo will always be the photo I go to to remind myself that I can do it.
