Up Close … with photographer and taxi driver Sheldon Morel |09 May 2017

‘There will always be trial and error but you have to remain focused on what you want’

In this week’s Up Close column you will get to know more about a man who at first glance has a serious demeanour but in reality is truly a jack of all trades and joker.
Born on February 21, 1983, Sheldon Morel is the youngest in a family of two children.
He spent half of his childhood at Mont Buxton, then moved to Baie Lazare where he now calls his home after living there for more than 20 years.
This Elvis Presley fan spent one year studying electrical installation at the former Industrial, Technology and Construction (ITC) institute, the predecessor of SIT (Seychelles Institute of Technology).
He worked as a technician and cable jointer for the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) for five years, then moved on to being a driver for Creole Travel Services (CTS), a truck driver and also worked for a private mechanic.

Discovering photography
Sheldon always enjoyed art and as a child he wanted to be an architect but decided to follow in his fathers’ – Robert  ̶  footsteps by going into the electrical field.
His love for photography started after he was discovered by Mau de Gonzague - a professional photographer - who said that he had potential.
“I already knew the basics which was self-taught from online YouTube videos but Mau proceeded to mentor me and he taught me advanced settings and how to manoeuver with lights,” Sheldon says.
The element which Sheldon finds most interesting in this line of work is modelling photography.
“I find it fascinating in an artistic manner how models can make the image come to life,” says Sheldon.
He has recently worked with Joelle Fabre who runs Coral Models on the 2017 calendar for Rodyanne’s fashion boutique.
“My first private model was Tara Mondon, we’ve shot many times together,” he says, adding that he also covers events such as civil and church weddings, birthdays, baptism, among others.
Sheldon also has a passion for flowers which derives from his mother, Germaine. Although he may not get the time to tend to a garden, he does take many exquisite shots of the vibrant flowers around the island.

Challenges to being a photographer

He says it is hard to find the perfect equipment here in Seychelles and if it is available is very expensive.
“I think there is a lack of diversity for those in the world of photography. There needs to be more shops selling camera equipment because the lack of competition causes the existing shops to be extremely expensive,” he says.
He says another increasing challenge is the competitiveness between photographers.
“Lately you see anyone who owns a camera state that they are a photographer when there is so much more to it. I am not an attention or popularity seeker; I want people to hire me based on the quality of my work,” says Sheldon.

Taxi business
It is after being employed for a couple of years that Sheldon decided he wanted to do his own thing and to make ends meet, he became a taxi driver and describes it as being a competitive field.
“After CTS I didn’t feel like being employed so I decided to buy the taxi. However it is a hard life being away from your family at odd hours but I need to do so to provide for them,” Sheldon says.
He says his taxi comes first then photography but expects that to change.

Family Life

Sheldon has been married to his beautiful wife Terina for the past four years and have two beautiful daughters – Anaëlle (8 years old) and Sheldina (9 years old) who coincidentally were both born on March 29 a year apart.
“It’s a hassle having to live with the two girls because you have to buy two of everything so that they don’t get upset or end up fighting, but I still love them to death and I have a very loving and supportive wife, family and best friend Julie. They are always there with moral support and urge me not to take failure as a let down,” says Sheldon.

Goals
In the next five years Sheldon wants to be a successful businessman.
“I love my taxi but I want to stick to photography more as it is a fascinating world but it’s not only about the camera, you need remember the quality of editing and most important being able to merge yourself completely into this as you need to have passion, devotion, love, patience and commitment to satisfy your client. As a photographer you need to ensure that the price is equivalent to the quality not the quantity,” he explains.

Advice
He says the best way to start is from nothing and find a way.
“There will always be trial and error but you have to remain focused on what you want,” is his advice.
Sheldon’s work can be found on his Instagram and Facebook page at Sheldon Morel Photography.

By Ralista Hortere