Gillian: Barbados Portrait Photographer

I went to school with this gem of a human being, but I didn’t know her very well.

I recently got an email from a gentleman saying he wants to gift a session to a very special person and her daughter.
Gillian and Niah.

I was so excited to reach out and reconnect with Gillian, but I wasn’t prepared for the inspiration that was about to step through my door.

As with every session, we sat down and chatted. We reminisced on the old St. Michael’s School days, playing tennis, and so much more.

And then I got we got deep.

Living in a small island, it’s hard to get away from “people”. Growing up in a small community is often plagued with “what will they think”, and the endless rights people have to share their opinions on anything from our body size to our cloth choices is remarkable.

And this is what we hammered out.

Why are we giving a shit.

Why is it THAT much harder to live our authentic lives in a way that TRULY brings us joy as women, as islanders, as people.

We realized, that sometimes we need those blinders. We need to wake up, feel how we feel, put on what we want to wear, and walk through that door literally putting our palms to the neysayers. (This is such a 2000’s vision i have: who remembers “talk to the hand”.. ‍♀️ As dated as it seems, it’s the perfect visual for how we need react to people’s negativity.

Thank you Gillian, for reconnecting with me, for inspiring me, for the laughs and stories..

And for trusting me..
ANIYA, XO

I am the ULTIMATE empath and storyteller. 

Hey, I’m Aniya (Ah-Knee-Ya) – the ultimate empath and storyteller. 

That’s a weird combo, isn’t it?

Kind of, but not really. 

I have strong feelings about pretty much everything. And because of this, I know the value of a moment that needs to be photographed. 

My clients have coined me a “Connection specialist”, and I’ll happy take that. 

Whether I’m photographing your wedding, your family, or your awesome self in my studio, I’m feeling your feels, and making damn honest, beautiful photographs for you.