DWAYNE Hackett is an enterprising single-parent father of one, and is probably one of the best photographers on the local shores, given his zealous attitude and open-minded approach towards life and meeting his goals.

He once owned a photo studio, but has since started to work on call, although he is hoping to re-open his studio. For now, he goes to locations to take photographs.
Now 11 years into photography, Dwayne Hackett says he is still learning with the passage of time.

His first job, as a webmaster/graphic artist at the GTV, cultivated in him a distinct liking for photography, and that is how he has decided to make that his career.

He said that after one year of working with television, he took a leap of faith and started at his own pace in the world of photography in 2003.

“I am my own boss, but the clients have the last say. I am a specialist as well as a generalist, and I specialise in classic portraits,” Hackett said.

He is also known for his work with several advertising companies, where his clientele is very wide. He likes to capture the emotions and expressions of his clients.

A Berbician from Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice, Region Six, Hackett is of mixed ancestry, with a Chinese and Amerindian-mix father from Hosororo in Region One (Barima-Waini); and a Spanish, African, European, Indian and Amerindian-mix mother. He says he is the eldest of six siblings, is a city resident, and does not have a single racist bone in his entire body.

At 36, he has been an athlete and a cyclist, but his real love is music. He plays the guitar very well, and is part of the Georgetown Chamber Choir.

Being primary caregiver for his son, Hackett told this publication, he is coping very well, and that the child can be seen in tow with him almost everywhere. He deems the two of them inseparable.

Hackett says he had been on the campaign trail with APNU+AFC for the past two months, taking photographs of individuals at rallies, and portraits of all the political candidates for that coalition.

He says he is a ‘people person’ who likes to mingle in a crowd, reach out to people, and take photos which capture people’s facial expressions and emotions, especially parents with children.

Hackett describes himself as a ‘down-to-earth’ kind of guy who likes to interact with people, some of whom he photographs without their knowledge, since he is always interested in knowing what a person is feeling at the time of being photographed.

He says he likes taking family portraits, since body language is vital to the photographer. He revealed that a photographer has to be in tune with him/herself and the people whose pictures he/she is taking.

Hackett says that, for now, he is also focusing more on individuals than groups, and that photography can be a very lucrative business if the photographer knows what he/she is about; because photography has become easy with the advancement of technology, but the human touch is still important in any job, and with photography it is quite the same.

Hackett said that before advent of the Internet age, photos were available only in hard copies; but now everything is electronic and much faster, and has become very competitive as well.

Hackett says he also likes abstract photography, and does not miss an opportunity to visit exhibitions, although he devotes a very great deal of his time to his young son.

Hackett says the photographs he takes speak for themselves and for the genuine passion he has in his job. He says photography is in his blood, and he cannot rid himself of it anytime soon. As such, he is certain he can have a lifetime of employment taking photographs of people’s most cherished moments.

By Michel Outridge