SERGEANT Olsen Quamina of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is the photographer to Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips.

He started photography on the job in 2006 after some hesitation, but after he got into it, he has become very passionate about honing his skills.

Quamina got qualified at Kuru Kuru College in D’Urban Backlands, where he gained a Diploma in Photography.

The soldier told this publication that he enjoys his job and makes the most out of it since he gets to travel a lot and meet a lot of people. In addition, he has embarked on some work of his own, noting his multi-talented capabilities.

In fact, he is a gifted artist who can do drawings on vehicles, among other things.

Quamina is also a freelancing photographer who specialises in weddings and taking photos of animals as well as writing lyrics for songs.

Samples of Quamina’s work 

Moreover, he is a talented singer and artist, some qualities he inherited from his father and other relatives.
He said, “When I first joined the army I did not intend to do any photography at that point but when I started I really got to like it and I knew I had to improve and upgrade myself and to this day I would remind myself that I have not ‘arrived’ and am still learning everyday.”

Quamina is married and is the father of one but apart from his busy schedule, he finds time to indulge in photography and uses his camera at every opportunity.

His motto is, “A picture speaks a thousand words” and with that in mind Quamina said he is always trying to develop himself and he has been receiving positive feedback from clients who are in loud praise of his work.

Quamina is also a videographer who is bent on reaching for success. Meanwhile, he noted that over time photography has developed with technology and as this trend continues, he wants to keep up in this regard.

He told this publication that photography is very innovative nowadays and he is aware of how addictive photography can become.

(Michel Outridge)