Rondel H. Smith said he experiences a type of peace when under water. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Photo taken by Rondel H. Smith in the beginning of his photography career 2020-2021. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Photo taken by Rondel H. Smith at the start of his photography career. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Rondel H. Smith hopes to educate the world about the Virgin Islands' uniqueness through his photography. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Rondel H. Smith has also become a conservationalist. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Rondel H. Smith was the first artist to be featured with an exhibition at Creative Waves' new art gallery. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Rondel H. Smith hopes to share his photography with the international community one day. Photo: Rondel H. Smith

Today, we place the spotlight on a talented young photographer, Mr Rondel H. Smith, who has quickly become known throughout the territory as a storyteller through photos. 

Born on the main island of Tortola, Rondel was raised and received his primary and secondary education on the sister island of Anegada. He obtained an Associate’s Degree from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). 

A love for the outdoors & animals 

Rondel told us he has always had a love for the outdoors. “I'm an outdoors person. I've always been that way, particularly the ocean. From a young age, I was underwater, and it always captivated me.”

He also has a love for animals, which makes photographing them easy. 

It was during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, Rondel took an underwater camera and a leap into the world below. 

“It kind of forced me to slow down and appreciate life when it's not busy…I started taking videos and pictures with a little underwater camera and sharing them with my friends and whatnot, and it kind of just grew from there.”

Underwater, he said, feels like you’re on another planet; it is a different scene from being on land. 

“I feel like it's easier to interact with wildlife or be interested in wildlife underwater than it is on land…when I'm underwater, I'm kind of at peace.”

The process

Asked about his approach to photography, Rondel said it entails a bit of everything. 

“One of the things that I've learned is that when you go out with expectations, with a certain shot in mind, it doesn't go your way…you kind of feel like you're wasting time…it kind of discourages you.”

However, he said over time he has learned to appreciate just being outdoors with his camera. 

“Regardless of if I get a good shot or not, nature is beautiful in its entirety...The more I carry out my photography career and I take photos, the more I kind of appreciate, you know, the entire process of everything,” he said. 

Photographer to conservationalist  

In 2022, he began transitioning to photograph terrestrial animals like birds, iguanas and other land animals. 

While documenting the nesting season of flamingos in the Territory, Rondel noticed something rather odd. 

“It just so happened that in the process of me trying to get photos and videos, I noticed something was wrong. While the chicks were hatching, the very next day, they would disappear.”

Rondel engaged the assistance of the National Parks Trust to set up motion-sensing cameras and reached out to NGOs for assistance and information. Soon, a cage was provided to capture the predator, which turned out to be a cat. 

“I feel like that was pivotal in me wanting to traverse into more of a conservationist career, and I tried to use my photography to portray that,” he added. 

Collaboration with Creative Waves

Rondel became involved with Creative Waves when he wanted to have his photos part of an exhibition at the college.

Director of Creative Waves, Sophie Stanton, he said eventually saw his portfolio, which led to a collaboration. 

“She saw the potential, I guess and what it could be, and we kind of just took it from there.”

Rondel’s work is currently on display at Creative Waves’ gallery, which was recently opened. 

He is the first artist to be featured there. 

“She told me that from a photographer's perspective, I kind of have a specific style and a specific subject type, and that's nature and wildlife…on top of it being photography, it's also a story behind it, a meaning behind it, a purpose for the photography.”

Creative Waves’ gallery, he added, is more than just an art gallery but rather a space for people to tell stories. 

Showcasing the VI’s uniqueness through photography

Rondel added that he aims to tell the story of the Virgin Islands through his photography. 

He aims to “show people that we have something very special in terms of our nature, the wildlife…I want people to be aware of that…I want us to understand that there is a need to protect that as well.”

Asked what photography means to him, Rondel responded, “I don't see it as me taking pictures…I kind of immortalise moments. I can look at every one of my photos and I remember the exact time, the exact moment, the exact feeling, everything about that specific time.”

He said he also remembers almost every animal in his photos. 

“Photography is kind of a portal, if I would say that, into my perspective of the world around me.”

The future

Rondel said he hopes to continue photography, be a conservationalist and even be a videographer in the future. 

“I'm also traversing more into filmmaking, short films, like documentaries, with the same message. I feel like it can be more, or if not, just as impactful as photography. I feel like I can show you a lot more through videography and film than I can through photography.”

He hopes his passion can be recognised regionally and internationally one day. 

To others, he encourages them to share their perspective on the world. 

“Not many people are able to see the world in the same eyes that someone who loves nature does, or someone who has an eye for capturing the beauty of the little things. Don't hesitate to share your perspective.”

With a bright future ahead, this creative young man surely will be a name to remember.