Edson "Tequila Ross" Reece Is Showing St. Vincent Through His Own Lens

Edson Reece has photographed many sides of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

There are the landscapes and eco-adventures that show off the country’s natural beauty. But there are also families, farmers, animals, local traditions, and pieces of Vincentian history that might otherwise receive far less attention online.

Better known as Tequila Ross, the Barrouallie photographer has built an audience around documenting those stories without trying to turn them into something they are not.

“My stories are told from an authentic point of view,” he says. “They’re not dressed up or turned into big productions just for social media, so people can relate to them.”

Photography remains at the centre of his work, but increasingly, Ross has been using those photographs as a starting point for something broader.

“First and foremost, I’m a photographer, hence the content creation,” he says. “But more and more, I’ve been using my photographic work to curate stories and explore that side of media even further.”

More Than a Beautiful Picture

Ross’ subject matter is broad.

On any given day, his work might touch culture and family, animals and farming, eco-adventures, biodiversity or history. He also creates short videos and AI illustrations, giving him different ways to tell stories about St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

That variety has attracted an equally diverse following, with people drawn to different parts of his work.

At the centre of it is an interest in sharing Vincentian history, culture and the natural environment through his own perspective.

That purpose is especially visible through Adventure Island SVG, which Ross says has continued to grow with him, inspired by his love for the history, culture and environment of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Through it, he hopes to encourage people to protect the country's habitats and become more sustainable, while showcasing the beauty of SVG to the wider world.

When the Work Creates Opportunities

Building an income from his content wasn't Ross’ original motivation.

Still, as his photography and storytelling reached more people, commercial opportunities followed.

His work has created opportunities to travel and led to ambassadorial contracts with brands including Digicel and Hairoun Beer.

For Ross, however, those opportunities aren't the only measure of whether the work is succeeding.

“Success beyond follower numbers is when you can ultimately encourage change and positively inspire others, especially the younger generation.”

It is a definition that fits the kind of platform he is building. The photographs may draw people in, but the larger ambition is for those images and stories to encourage people to think differently about their surroundings, their history, and what is worth preserving.

His biggest goal now reaches beyond accumulating an audience. He wants to build what he describes as “a strong, identifiable, and sustainable brand in SVG and the wider region.”

The Caribbean Through Caribbean Eyes

Ross also draws inspiration from creators elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Asked about someone whose work inspires him, he points to Jamaican photographer and visual storyteller Corey Mus.

“His work is unique and is always captured with a strong sense of mood and natural ambience,” Ross says.

That appreciation for distinctive, authentic visual storytelling reflects something Ross sees happening across the region. As more Caribbean creators document their own communities, they are giving audiences a chance to experience the region through the perspectives of the people who live it.

Ross’ message to the creators doing that work is simple:

“To each content creator in Vincy and across the region: keep doing y’all thing! The world is seeing us through our own eyes and stories. Let’s remain authentic and build more unity.”

For Tequila Ross, that starts at home: one photograph, one story and one piece of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at a time.