Photos by Shawn T. Hanna

By Hadassah Deleveaux (née Hall)

Shawn Hanna is his name. I met him when he was in 7th grade at Faith Temple Christian Academy and our lives crossed paths again when I taught him English Language in grades 11 and 12 at Doris Johnson Senior High School. I clearly remember when Shawn began experimenting with the camera his mother bought. He brought samples of his work to school and I instantly knew a star was on the horizon.

Although Shawn did not grow up over the hill, I have gained permission from him to share a few shots from his editorial photo shoot with scenes from this community. This project, involving the 2017 Next Face winner, Yannique Forbes, began at a bus stop in Englerston, included an abandoned gas station and a water pump in Bain Town, followed by photographing the model on the streets of downtown, Nassau. His street photography was edgy, rough cut, yet stylish, using natural light. International quality – no doubt! I am so proud of my former student!

Shawn, inspired by the reality television show, America’s Next Top Model, is the brainchild and Executive Producer of The Next Face. It is a platform for photographers, models, videographers, graphic artists, makeup artists and hairstylists – all under the age of 30. Shawn is a Director, Producer, Editorial Photographer, in addition to a Lifestyle Photographer who captures people in an artistic manner, from commercial, weddings and portraiture, to street photography in the inner city and fashion on the pavements of New York. He documents life, capturing real emotions as they unfold. 

Shawn T. Hanna