October – December 2023 Up and Away Cover Photoshoot Behind the Scenes

By Yolanda Hanna

Site Courtesy Of Clifton Heritage Park

Photography Courtesy Of Robyn Damianos

Jewellery Courtesy Of Ashli Bethune-Smith of ArtSaeBae

Makeup Courtesy Of Nestaea Sealy of Nestase Beauty

Models Marlena Leonard and Daniella Beauchamp

Dresses Courtesy Of Cole’s Of Nassau

Catering Courtesy Of Chef Horatio Smith

Behind The Scenes Photographs Courtesy Of L. Roscoe Dames II

Picture this – blue skies, a bright sunny day, acres of lush green vegetation, and the aroma of fresh snappers sizzling on the grill wafting through the atmosphere. In the background, a cooler filled with ice-cold beverages, cameras, fans, and the voices of friends and colleagues feverishly working together to execute the photoshoot for the cover of the October-December 2023 issue of Bahamasair’s inflight magazine Up and Away. Ivory Global Management Ltd. (IGM), the publisher and creative team at the helm of Up and Away, decided to try something new for the last magazine of 2023.

The theme of the October-December 2023 issue is “Fashion, Food and Fun” and IGM’s Managing Director Captain L. Roscoe Dames II wanted the work behind the scenes to reflect the magazine’s theme and The Bahamas.

I spoke with the publisher, too, about the concept of the photoshoot, the choice of location, and what is on the horizon for Up and Away magazine.

Tell us about the vision behind the cover photoshoot for the October-December issue.

“We wanted to embrace our history, honour our heritage, and look toward the future. The Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence this year, so we wanted to encapsulate this in the ‘Fashion, Food and Fun’ issue.”

“As a result, the team developed the idea to use models on the cover that represented the diversity of the Bahamian people. This magazine is our eleventh issue and the first time we have used models (or people) on the cover, so it had to be a special occasion!”

“The team selected two lovely young ladies for the cover, Marlena Leonard, and Daniella Beauchamp, one with a beautiful light complexion and one with a beautiful dark complexion, to celebrate our diversity. The Clifton Heritage National Park was selected for the photoshoot because it speaks to our history and heritage.”

“So, on the cover, we have fashion. The models wore beautiful clothing from the Andres Otalora Spring/Summer 2023 Collection courtesy of Coles of Nassau, and the makeup was done flawlessly by Nestase Beauty.”

“Behind the scenes, we had delicious food prepared on location by Chef Horatio Smith, owner of The Perk and Briland Wave in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.”

“And the IGM Team and collaborators working harmoniously onsite at Clifton was fun!”

“We’ve encapsulated the entire theme of the magazine in today’s photoshoot.”

The creative eyes of international model-turned-photographer Robyn Damianos captured the ethereal beauty of the models as they posed for the camera on hallowed grounds. Her ability to connect and communicate with models guided Marlena and Daniella through the steamy outdoor heat, while she simultaneously focused on capturing the backdrop of archaeological ruins.

Inspired by the natural beauty found in The Bahamas, Robyn has photographed stunning images throughout the islands that have appeared in numerous magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and InStyle.

Clifton Heritage National Park

The Clifton Heritage National Park was ideal for the Up and Away shoot. The stunning 203-acre property is the bedrock of the history of The Bahamas; it is home to the 18th century ruins of the Whylly Slave Plantation which stands on the land first inhabited by the original native Bahamians 1,000 years ago, the Lucayan Indians. In 2005, the land with its preserved plantation ruins and landscape was purchased to develop the first National Heritage Park of The Bahamas.

The park contains three gorgeous white sand beaches, natural snorkelling areas, crystal clear water, miles of ecologically diverse coastline, scenic wetlands, archaeological/cultural ruins, eco trails, and native flora and fauna.

Dames is proud that the photoshoot took place on the sacred heritage grounds and appreciative of the reception from the Clifton Heritage National Park staff.

Dames adds, “this park is 203 acres of beauty and history that we can all embrace. We photographed in one of the original structures built by our ancestors which was an indescribable feeling. I encourage our Bahamian readers to spend a day at Clifton Heritage National Park and take a walk through our history.”

What is next for the IGM Up and Away Team?

The new year will welcome a new issue of Up and Away. On January 1st, freshly printed copies of the January-March 2024 magazine will be available to readers on all Bahamasair flights. The publisher is pleased about the magazine’s evolution noting that the team of contributing writers now includes, along with The Bahamas, writers from Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Cuba, and the United States.

“I am happy about the team that we have assembled. We work so well together! And that is funny because everyone works on their pieces individually but when it all comes together, it is cohesive. That is a beautiful thing (laughs). Our team has accomplished a lot over the past ten, now eleven issues. We are a talented, innovative group with creative ideas. I am looking forward to the future.” UA