Where are they now feature – Lights, Camera, Natalyn!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what can be said about a video. Those moving images that often move us, the beautiful sights and sounds captured on film for eternity. For Natalyn Joseph, whose life for the past seven years has changed through her growing love for videography, a video might be worth a billion words. Maybe more.

The 28-year-old from Dugard, Micoud, has been employed as a videographer with Saint Lucia Photo Tours since 2014. Her primary duties include shooting scenic videos for events, post-production videography, and facilitating photo and video tours for visitors. It’s basically the first full-time job she has held down and her love for the craft continues to grow.

“I started out by just going out on the St. Lucia Photo Tours as an intern, teaching tourists how to use a digital camera to capture scenes of the island,” Joseph recalled. “But right now, my main focus is videography, which is my passion.”

St. Lucia Photo Tours is owned and operated by award-winning Saint Lucian photographer, Kirk Elliott. Among the services the company offers are private photo tours, private Pigeon Island and Gros Piton hikes, and private photo and video shoots.

After attending Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS), from where she

graduated in 2010, Joseph began her tertiary education at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC). Nearly two years later, however, she was still unsure as to what career path to take. She soon figured that since she loved taking photos, why not contact a photographer who could teach her the basics of the trade. As fate would have it, it was worth the shot.

“I literally went through the telephone directory and the first photographer’s name to pop us was Kirk Elliott’s, so I contacted him,” she said. “About two years later, he called and told me there was a job opening. Since then, I’ve been working with him and learning more about the job every day.”

Joseph said life on the job has taught her to be more self-reliant and courageous and also become a better problem-solver than she was seven years ago. She’s also a better communicator, and, admitting that she’s not totally there yet, recognizes that having great people’s skills comes with the territory. Be that as it may, though, the congenial videographer does get her props from her customers.

“Clients often comment on my warm and friendly personality,” Joseph noted. “I feel like I’m an ambassador for the tourism industry because aside from teaching visitors how to use a camera, I get to take them across the island and share our history with them. They are also immersed in the culture and cuisine of the island and that makes my work worth it.”

Speaking to the tourism sector’s contribution to the local economy, Joseph said there’s a great sense of pride she feels from not only being employed in the sector, but also being able to do what she loves best: creating videos that leave a lasting impact on people. Which is why she says her relationship with videography will last long into the future.

Capturing scenes and moments that leave a lasting impression is undoubtedly priceless. As such, Joseph’s role in the tourism sector is indispensable. Hers is a role that – not unlike the many other roles played by others in the sector – the Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association (SLHTA) believes is deserving of praise. And, just like the SLHTA, Joseph knows that reaching the pinnacle of success in any field of endeavour comes with copious amounts of passion, dedication, effort and sacrifice.

“In life, success doesn’t happen overnight,” Joseph said. “If you speak to successful people, they will tell you that they failed many times and got back to doing what they had to do. Many people my age do not want to work hard for something. They fail once or twice and quit. That’s not how it’s supposed to be. We need to work hard.”