Bahamian Project Photographers photograph the team behind the iconic Elbow Reef Lighthouse.

Thu, Feb 10th 2022, 10:22 AM

After a lengthy delay due to the pandemic, Bahamian Project photographers are back to capturing the iconic images that have made the Bahamian Project the most significant art & culture project in Bahamian history.

The exciting third phase of the long-running project officially commenced at the end of last year when two of The Bahamas' most experienced and respected photographic artists travelled to Abaco, on their first family island assignment.

Photographers Donald Knowles and Ana-Lisa Wells were blessed with outstanding weather on their mission to Hope Town, where they photographed the team behind the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, often referred to as the Hope Town lighthouse.

The well-known, beloved and iconic red-and-white striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse is the last manned, kerosene-fueled light station in the world. Construction on this tower began in 1862, becoming operational two years later - and it is still fully functioning today as an active aid to navigation. Images of this Bahamian treasure have been reproduced on Bahamian currency, postcards, stamps, the Bahamas passport, tourism ads, and in countless images by tourists and locals alike for over 150 years.

Donald Knowles photographed the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society - a group of five women responsible for the never-ending and often challenging maintenance and repairs on the lighthouse. Working in collaboration with the Bahamas government, the Bahamas Port Department, and related agencies, they are unanimous in their passion for keeping it manually-operated and kerosene-burning. All other lighthouses across the globe have been decommissioned or automated. These women are the sole reason that The Bahamas is home to this historically authentic monument, recognized and loved around the world.

Knowles, known affectionately as "El Presidente", is a veteran of the photographic community, with decades of experience. His photography has taken him around the world on assignments. Starting his career as a newspaper photographer, Donald has created spectacular photographs under a wide variety of conditions. He now specializes in portrait and glamour photography.

Ana-Lisa Wells took behind-the-scenes photos, video and peripheral images to tell the story behind the photographic session.

Wells is a fine artist, photographer, graphic designer and owner of CocoLupe Creative Services, a full service marketing & advertising company located in Nassau. She is president of the Bahamian Project, and co-founder of the highly successful art initiative, along with her husband, Duke.

Both Donald and Ana-Lisa have previously photographed for the Bahamian Project collection.

Heather Forde-Prosa, one of the five women of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society, expertly coordinated logistics on the ground in Abaco, making a smooth travel and shooting process for our photographic team.

View the complete results of the highly successful Abaco photographic session on the Bahamian Project website at: www.bahamianproject.com

 Sponsored Ads