Al Rahming Photography

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for this nomination and for being recognized by the Elevation Awards. This past year, 2023-24, has been a period of immense growth, both personally and professionally. My focus has been on building meaningful relationships, advancing training and development initiatives, and showcasing the beauty of Bahamian culture through my work as a photographer. It has been a year of learning, evolving, and striving to be better than I was the day before—a mission that continues to drive me forward.

Professionally, this year has been incredibly fulfilling. While my responsibilities as a business owner and my service as a combat photographer for my country limited the number of projects I could undertake, I remained committed to my goals. One of my key missions in 2024 was to connect with visitors and share the essence of The Bahamas through photography. I had the privilege of working with over 30 families from around the world, capturing their memories as they experienced our turquoise waters and vibrant culture. I hope that my interactions with them and the experiences I created helped to reinforce The Bahamas as a premier destination for travelers. Additionally, I have had the honor of capturing events for international organizations such as FIFA, Off Chain Labs—a blockchain research and development company—and Berkley Accident and Health, a leading risk management firm based in the United States.

On the local front, I dedicated myself to elevating the professional image of Bahamians from all walks of life. Through high-quality headshots, I worked with individuals who are making significant contributions to our society. Among these were Dr. Glenn Davis and his wife, Keishelle Davis, who visited multiple times, as well as other notable figures such as Dr. Elnathan Rolle, Youth Leader at Emerge Church; Dr. R. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Dr. Ghandi Thompson; Sandena Neely, Head of the Division of Youth at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture; Keishla Cash, President of the Kiwanis Club of Cable Beach; and Bishop Kendyce Moss-Moultrie, Founder and Pastor of Shiloh Abundant Life Ministries. These collaborations were not only professionally rewarding but also allowed me to contribute to the representation of Bahamian excellence.

In addition to my work with professionals, I had the opportunity to photograph over 50 local Bahamians during milestone events such as birthdays, weddings, christenings, graduations, and proms. I also collaborated with rising Bahamian artist Shine 242 on album cover photography, further highlighting the talent within our creative community.

A significant portion of my year was dedicated to training and development. As the lead instructor for the Combat Camera Training Program, I played a pivotal role in developing the skills of Defence Force Marines. Beyond this, I created educational resources for local photographers, including guides on the editing process and video tutorials on maximizing unconventional shooting locations. These initiatives reflect my commitment to fostering growth within the photography community and empowering others to excel in their craft.

Thank you once again for this nomination and for recognizing my efforts. It is an honor to be considered for the Photographer of the Year category, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and contributions with the Elevation Awards community.