Insider Guides: Capturing the island's beauty with Aldington Scott

TELL US YOUR STORY GIVE US SOME HISTORY ABOUT YOU AND WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

I was born in Jamaica, but moved to Cayman back in 1991. Literally the words “Beautiful Cayman Islands” back then was the game changer for me.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CAYMAN?

I just love how everyone knows one another. Well, that and the fact that I can wake up and step right onto the beach!

WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU. YOUR DRONE SHOTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE INCREDIBLE! WHAT MADE YOU GET INTO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Well, I see people all over the world that just don’t know about the Cayman Islands. So when I started photographing I just wanted tourists to see what I see and come visit this beautiful place.

TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO GRAB THAT PERFECT SHOT?

I have a lot of favourites but Spotts Beach is one where I can swim with turtles and sharks. Pedro St. James has a massive hole by the edge of the bluff. Sometimes it’s dry, and sometimes it’s filled with water and creates this gorgeous pool. Stingray City never gets old as I can photograph the most beautiful stingrays.

WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION TO PHOTOGRAPHY?

My inspiration is Cayman. Not to be fancy, but just to capture something that people don’t get to see often or usually found on the internet.

BETWEEN WORK AND PHOTOGRAPHY, YOU MUST GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE YOU TIME... TELL US WHERE YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR DAYS OFF?

I would say just being home with my family. Or to be with my friends on the beach.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD WITH US, GIVE US YOUR TOP 3 SPOTS TO GRAB SOME DELICIOUS LOCAL FOOD.

This one is tough… Mango Tree, Cracked Conch, and Fish Shack. It’s all about the seafood!

An Insider's Guide: Cortez Vernon

CORTEZ! TELL US YOUR STORY! WHERE YOU FROM, HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN HERE AND WHY YOU MOVED HERE!

I'm originally from a small district just outside of Montego Bay Jamaica. It just happened that a company here saw my website at the time and thought it was creative enough for them to give me a call and offer me a job, this was back in 2005. I took the offer and have been here since.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CAYMAN?

I love the amalgamation of the many different cultures/people. I love meeting new people and being here just makes it so much easier with CaymanKind.

YOU ARE FAMOUS FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY! TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER, AND WHAT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IT? 

I'm a graphic designer and used to do lots of corporate brochures and print work so my employer at the time bought me a camera to get some headshots and I just got addicted after that. 

THAT’S AMAZING! ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER! YOU MUST KNOW SOME PRETTY GREAT PLACES TO SHOOT PHOTOS, TELL US WHERE YOU LOVE TO SHOOT!

There are countless amazing places on island to shoot, I love nature so I tend to explore to find them. My faves are the botanical park because of the wide variety of different plants/trees, Camana Bay for a bit more modern look and of course any one of the many beaches.

AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR DAY OFF? TELL US WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR TIME?

This is a tough one because I love trying new places like driving to East End and finding a random isolated beach and just decompress. I love Camana Bay to get some food and check out the latest movie, or, randomly choosing something touristy to do like parasailing or going on a Helicopter ride.

ANYONE WHO LIVES IN CAYMAN KNOWS WE HAVE THE BEST FOOD IN THE CARIBBEAN. TELL US WHERE YOUR 3 FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS ARE?

Cayman Cabana, Over The Edge, Mizu or Yoshi's for some sushi!

WHAT ABOUT THE TOURISTS? WHERE WOULD YOU SEND THEM FOR SOME ACTIVITIES WHEN THEY VISIT?

My top three would be Helicopter tour, Crystal Caves and the Bioluminescence tour.

YOU MUST KNOW THE BEST PLACE FOR LOCAL, TRADITIONAL FOOD? WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE THESE TOURISTS FOR THE ULTIMATE LOCAL FOOD EXPERIENCE? 

Cayman Cabana, Wellys Cool Spot, and Over The Edge

An Insider's Guide with Julie Corsetti: For the Love of Outdoor Photography

JC! YOU'VE BEEN IN CAYMAN FOREVER! TELL THE READERS ABOUT YOU! WHERE YOU'RE FROM, HOW DID YOU LAND IN PARADISE?

I’m From New York. I came to the island first with my family on a cruise ship in 1987. I returned as a tourist in 1993 and got a job offer as an underwater Photographer/Videographer at Bob Sotos.

THAT’S AWESOME! SO WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CAYMAN?

The clear water. The beautiful light at sunrise. Stingray City. Palm trees and no winters!

YOU’RE A WELL KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER ON ISLAND, TELL US A BIT ABOUT IT!

I’m outside and underwater daily. I do love capturing the Over/Unders with my housing. I strive to think different and to create images  I have not seen before. I absolutely love what I do. Also, I’m a Mom to a 15 year old daughter and a dog Mom to 2 pups. I Enjoy traveling and shooting landscapes as I explore! My gallery is online and available for print at https://www.juliecorsettiphotography.com/gallery/wall-art/

I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOUR TALENT FOR YEARS! TELL US WHERE YOU PULL YOUR INSPIRATION TO GET SOME OF THE BEST IMAGES ON ISLAND?

Stingray City or any remote beach is all the inspo! Don’t want to give away my secret spots as there aren’t many left.

COME ON! YOU MUST SHARE AT LEAST ONE SECRET! WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST SPOTS TO GET THAT PERFECT SHOT?

South Sound is my favourite. A bit more off the beaten path too. I love the sunsets there. Golden with empty beaches and rugged ironshore. 

HARD WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES US DULL PEOPLE. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SPOT TO GRAB A HAPPY HOUR BEV FOR SUNSET DRINKS?

I am really enjoying the new Tillie’s. It’s the old Hemingway’s at Beach Suites but they have done an excellent job with their renovations!

CAYMAN IS BOOMING WITH NEW SPOTS TO PLAY! WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU NOTICE SINCE YOU'VE FIRST MOVED HERE?

I love Camana Bay, and what it has to offer. Nice restaurants, good bars, shopping and the picturesque tiny island. Nice to throw on a pair of jeans and enjoy some wine tasting :) Not loving all the High Rises. When I arrived in 1993 to work, the highest building allowed was 3 stories. 

HELP THE TOURISTS, JULIE - GIVE US YOUR TOP 3 SPOTS FOR THE BEST DINNER

Definitely Deckers, Brasserie and The Marriott

WE CAN'T FORGET ABOUT DESSERT AND COFFEE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO FOR A SWEET TREAT OR A CUPPA?

Love me a good cuppa. Although you can’t beat PG Tips at home with some digestive biscuits. Coffee…I am a sucker for a good Frappe at Cafe Del Sol.

ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE LOOKING TO RELOCATE TO A TINY ISLAND?

You need to enjoy the sun, enjoy outside activities, for sure learn to dive and have a sense of humour.