Kwesi Abbensetts

EVOLV

2011-10-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Sundaze in the Shade

2011-07-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Bird Of Prey

2011-07-16T13:15:00.003-07:00

Change

2011-04-27T11:13:00.001-07:00

http://kwesiabbensetts.tumblr.com/

Free Peoples Rebellion LookBook

2011-04-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Free Peoples Rebellion

Man

2011-04-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

The Lure

2011-04-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Stylist- Pamela Shepard
Make-up - Jewrel Gainey
Hair - Bobbie Yanoupeth
Model - Shyloh Wilkinson @ Identities

Somerset Falls, Portland, Jamaica

2011-03-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

In My Head

2011-03-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

Stylist - Folayan Xui

SOUL

2011-03-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

SOUL

: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life

a : the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe

: a person's total self

a : an active or essential part

bLACK IS MY LOVE

2011-02-28T19:53:00.000-08:00

Stylist - Pamela Shepard
Make-up - Jewrel Gainey
Hair - Bobbie Yanoupeth

Undressed

2011-02-22T00:43:00.000-08:00

Stylist: Shayla Cox

Me & You

2011-02-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

30 Minutes

2011-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

So I first saw Jodie Smith in Seu Jorge short film The Model: Oshun and the Dream. I was enchanted by and wondered who was this girl. Well by chance she flew into New York for a shoot, but it was cancelled due to the snow and so she gave me a call late night and we had an impromptu shoot just to introduce ourselves to each other and as rushed as it was I found some gems to share.

First Moon

2011-02-03T18:58:00.000-08:00

Experiments, experiments, experiments. I just keep doing them.

Air

2011-01-21T18:48:00.000-08:00

Soca Feathers

2011-01-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

Styling - Folayan Xui

Gypsy Woman

2011-01-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Unprepared

2011-01-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

I drink,
drink to numb it all
All of it
I drink the spirits, and turn on the music to help me drift
away,
Away from you, away from me
the spirits are kindred
they take me in, cradle me
rock me, speak to me in tongues,
I drink now, its a new form
to harness some kind of pleasant sanity.

LookBook : Boxing Kitten SS/2011

2011-01-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

http://boxingkitten.com/

New York : A Poem

2011-01-02T03:08:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK POEM from kwesi abbensetts on Vimeo.

Copper Spun

2010-12-13T11:25:00.000-08:00

2010-12-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Seu Jorge- The Model Part 1&2

2010-12-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

Director - Kahlil Joseph
DP - Bradford Young

Worked shooting stills on a movie "PARIAH" that Bradford shot -

Images are my lust. Good work is always rewarded.

1

2

Portraits: A Dear Friend

2010-12-02T23:04:00.000-08:00

Isn't she a Joy

Untitled

2010-12-02T00:56:00.000-08:00

Do you feel vulnerable ...

No. 1

2010-12-01T23:26:00.000-08:00

Frames

2010-12-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Model - Nikia Phoenix
Stylist - Pamela Shepard
Makeup - Jewrel Gainey

One

2010-11-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

One

2010-11-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

Model - Nikia Phoenix - what can I say, you are a star
Stylist- Pamela Shepard - Pamelashepard.com - Thanks pam you rock
Make-up - Jewrel Gainey - you are great and your work is seamless

We did it . Black Gurls Rule. More will be revealed soon

Smile (Against the Sun)

2010-11-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine today told me she loved these photos and I figured now is the appropriate time to reveal these photos to the world. These photos were taken about two years ago at Afropunk Festival. I was watching Janelle Monae in concert and as she was singing the song "Smile" these young men climbed up on a trailer next to the stage and started dancing to the song in their own interpretation. They were dancing against the sunset and I felt like this was a very special moment, to see them celebrate such a special song and also knowing that life keeps going on. In this moment now this song has a special meaning in my life, since some changes are happening and well I have to smile. Its the only way to move forward in this life. And I share this moment with you also, so just smile, for me and for you .

Wild Daze - Featuring Jack Davey

2010-11-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Stylist - Jasmine Benjamin
Make-up - Jewrel Gainey

Punch Drunk Loving

2010-10-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks Apryl & Sed

My Passage

2010-10-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

I do fashion Photography, but fashion photography also so bores me. In my opinion most fashion photography stands on a flimsy foundation. It only solicits awws at it's beauty and superficial statements, and in the next moment it wanes, like the receded flavor of a candy that has dissolved. I do fashion photography, never with beauty in mind, but with the need to find substance and context in the image. From the clothes to the model to the space. Why? Because I don't want to become bored of my work and also I don't want to bore you. This quote can better tell you what I try to achieve-

"When you start to know someone, all their physical characteristics start to disappear. You begin to dwell in their energy, recognize the scent of their skin. You see only the essence of the person, not the shell. That’s why you can’t fall in love with beauty. You can lust after it, be infatuated by it, want to own it. You can love it with your eyes and your body but not your heart. And that’s why, when you really connect with a person’s inner self, any physical imperfections disappear, become irrelevant."—Lisa Unger, Beautiful Lies

One

2010-10-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

Fola the Muse

Stylist - Jean S Hall

Love Fola - ( In the studio)

2010-10-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yes I am always, always shooting ......

One Day It Will Make Sense

2010-10-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

One

2010-10-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

Hair - Helena Moke
Make-up - Geeta Khanna
Model- Anges Fischer

One

2010-10-16T22:46:00.001-07:00

Pages to India

2010-10-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken in 2009 and many times I have looked at them and tried to figure how to edit and and work something special on them. This is what I came up with and well its just part of my crazy head. At this time I was starting to work with a great team , Geeta Khanna (Make-up), Eve Whittington (Hair) and the wonderful, "spectacular" model Selena. We have all gone on to do great and better things and we still are. Here is a a result of our former efforts.

Make-up - Geeta Khanna
Hair- Eve Whittington

One

2010-10-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

I just played around with this photo just off of instinct. I don't know if the edit is either good or pedestrian but I chance to share it.

I love this video

2010-10-07T10:15:00.001-07:00

A. Sauvage, This is not a suit from Edward Gibbs on Vimeo.

Cine File

2010-10-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Tear My Skin Away, I may not bleed, i may not bleed

2010-10-02T02:23:00.000-07:00

Plutocracy Lookbook

2010-09-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Early in September I was hired to shoot the Lookbook for the latest designs of the line Plutocracy. We shot in Fort Greene brooklyn with two wonderful models and Stylist Jean S. Hall. Here are the final results.

Stylist : Jean S. Hall
Models : Folasade Adeoso & Liz Coicou
Make-up: Apryl Rankin

Bobby&Tish

2010-09-19T22:39:00.001-07:00

Hair- Bobbie Yanoupeth
Make-up- andrew jackson

Myself

2010-09-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Not the greatest self-portraits but I was bored stuck on the island of cayman and so I figured why not shoot myself.

Move Me

2010-09-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Recently a client hired me to shoot some sensual portraits of her and we got to work and did a great job. She was scared when we started and by the end she was comfortable and open, giving my camera what I wanted to capture. At the end she said I made her look powerful. It was a compliment I never expected and it surprised me. I will share two of my favorite photos from the shoot. But first I want to make little note on shooting the nude.

I think for every photographer there is the excitement of shooting a beautiful young lady nude. I think the thinking is man I will see her naked and BAM I will just take picture after picture. Fine I get excited too, but I get excited anyways when I am faced with any beautiful subject nude or not. Most photographers though when shooting nudes never do good service to the naked body. Most times its never moving, never challenging of perception, thought, or it never imagines something new. There it is, just blatant, no execution of lighting, of playing with light and dark. And so their photo is just a naked body, no poetry in the nakedness they capture. The only reason they took the photo was to heighten their own excitement and not find anything new. And now I will share with you ......

This one I took a while ago, but the approach is the same ... find that thing.

PlethoraaaaA

2010-09-08T15:41:00.000-07:00

Jack Davey

Stylist - Jasmine Benjamin

Reggae ah Religion: Dance the praises

2010-09-08T14:18:00.000-07:00

Flight

2010-09-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

2366

2010-08-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

1

2010-08-22T13:55:00.001-07:00

Styling:Jean S. Hall
Make-up: Apryl Rankin

1

2010-08-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Styling:Jean S. Hall
Make-up: Apryl Rankin

Message: "I am on my way"

2010-08-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

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PleAsure (not safe for viewers prone to seizures)

2010-08-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

LadyTripper Line Lookbook

2010-08-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

Jack Davey of J'Davey

The Online Store

shot by Kwesi Abbensetts
styled by Jasmine Benjamin
make-up by Jewrel Gainey

Ice Cold

2010-08-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

fola from kwesi abbensetts on Vimeo.

Viral Tripper

2010-08-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Just a warm-up

Lady Tripper from kwesi abbensetts on Vimeo.

Friends - Me, Robby, Jeanie, Rachie

2010-07-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

Just me playing around with my friends while practicing with my lights. Dunno what happen to the few that PROMISED they would come through to the spot. Ah well we made the four of us into a party dancing to raphael saadiq, while sipping on some Ron Abuelo 7yr old rum. Enjoy.

Behind the Scenes for LadyTripper Look Book Shoot

2010-07-29T09:56:00.001-07:00

Recently I shot Jack Davey the one half of the group J'Davey. This was for her look book for her upcoming jewelery and accessory line called LadyTripper. Fader Mag was there to capture some of the behind the scenes as I was working. It was a great shoot, good energy and I had a blast. Here is a peek-

http://www.thefader.com/2010/07/29/ladytripper-jdavey-talks-about-her-new-line/

Folasade the Muse

2010-07-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

As The Sun Sets

2010-07-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

Nights End

2010-07-19T01:22:00.000-07:00

Nights End from kwesi abbensetts on Vimeo.

Just ME

2010-07-18T23:56:00.001-07:00

Just ME from kwesi abbensetts on Vimeo.

Smoked Clove

2010-07-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Inspiration

2010-07-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

Off The Cuff, Quik Snaps

2010-07-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Is This Goodbye

2010-06-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Story, Styling & Hair - Bobbie Yanoupeth
Make-up - Andrew D. Jackson

Come to My Show

2010-06-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

A Litte Story

2010-06-16T23:57:00.000-07:00

Creative Director : KWESI ABBENSETTS + SARAH WILLIAMS
Make-up: JENNIFER KNOWLDEN

Sky High

2010-06-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

Blue Web

2010-06-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

Nights are blue and nothing more
Days are blue and just as much an exciting bore

the blues, the blues, the blues

You leave me with out a cure
making this normal madness so sure

My nights are blue
My days are blue

I talk back to you and you mock me
My blue sore

Yellow Yam, Kingston, Jamaica

2010-05-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

I shot this when I was in Jamaica in 2009. A friend of a friend asked me to shoot some stills of these athletes for a magazine that is published in Jamaica. At first I asked myself why shoot athletes, that's not my interest, people are my interest. But I thought about it and I said to myself they are people too and at the same time I let myself be open the the experience. I opened to the idea of Chance. And thus this is the product of what I captured, portraits of these athletes right after they ran their race.
Thanks for the link Kaysian

Here is a link to a video that gives you an intimate look at a few of these athletes.

http://www.creativecontrol.tv/www/#/odds-&-ends/yellow-yams/

Work's Worth

2010-05-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

WHEN YOU KNOW THE WORK YOU DO IS MEANINGFUL -

"I just love your pics, brought tears to my eyes just now James Town is where I was born just saw my lil sister in a pic here too haven't seen her in 4years keep the link ............One Love!"

James Town, 54 lyndurst rd, Kingston - Jamaica

2010-05-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

I did this entry as a dedication to the innocent people who died recently in Kingston, Jamaica as a result of the misdeeds of those who put these innocent lives in harms way. The gun battles that took place between the army and the gunmen placed the lives of "human" beings between the bullets, persons who had nothing to do with this political fire fight. Simple people who just wanted to get up everyday and provide for their family. These photos I present to you exemplify the humanity that exist within these people and the everyday dignity they project. I can call them poor, oppressed or disenfranchised but at the end of the day people are people and offering anyone a little respect and regard goes a long way. Enjoy

Eldorado: slippered gold

2010-05-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

BlacK MuD

2010-05-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Boxing Kitten Resort 2010 Lookbook

2010-05-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

BoxingKitten Resort Lookbook 2010

Stylist: Jasmine Benjamin
Hair: Mark Rowbotham
Makeup: Jewrel Gainey
Models: Sara Pickett, Naima Mora
Shoes: Osborn Design for Boxing Kitten

Night People

2010-05-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

Preview of my book - Night People that you can purchase on Blurb.

Night PeoPle by kwesi abbensetts | Make Your Own Book

Rise Up

2010-05-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

More sometime soon ....

Fulton St

2010-05-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

Light & Magic

2010-05-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

Cayman Isle

2010-05-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

Coconut Oil

2010-05-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Jah Know Star!

2010-05-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Flashing Lights Party Portraits

2010-05-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

"I Want Those Flashing Lights (Pictures)!" -Shoot, Cut, Print! The Flashing Photos Are DONE!
YES! Finally the picture everyone's been holding their breath for are edited & done! And I must say, they look SMASHING!
These were shot for Flashing Lights Portrait Party done on the 24th of April. More of these parties will be coming soon. Remember its about Character not about Posing.

A Cayman Carnival & its People

2010-05-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

Somtimes You can see me Working

2010-04-29T08:52:00.001-07:00

M Report Episode 5 from Soul Purpose Media on Vimeo.

Press - Images from Boxing Kitten Resort 2010 - that I recently shot.

2010-04-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the link for the write up .

Knockout Punch

2010-04-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Image from BoxingKitten Look Book I shot.
Boxing Kitten Resort 2010
Hair: Mark Rowbotham
makeup: Jewrel Gainey
Stylist: Jasmine Benjamin

If you wished

2010-04-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

In The Present

2010-04-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

You can always change your own time
Make your cup of change
defy order and make it your stool
sit in that space and flaunt your virtues,
since your life only belongs to you
Your folks already let you out to pasture ...
The way of nature my people, the way of nature
Now run off and find your own food.

We Live For It.

2010-04-08T00:39:00.000-07:00

The Usual Suspects - Portraits (Block Association Shoot)

2010-04-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ground Level

2010-04-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

Press

2010-03-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

http://thefashionrecords.com/2010/03/26/feature-friday-kwesi-abbensetts/

Renegade - Shot for Open Lab Magazine

2010-03-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have to be reminded of why I do what I do. It's a beautiful gift to be part of this process called Creativity. God is derived. I give thanks to the great team I worked with and especially the magic abilities if Stylist Rowshana Jackson.

Open Lab Magazine - link

Press - Shooting for - Open Lab Magazine

2010-03-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

Press

2010-03-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

http://noreetheinovator.tumblr.com/