Calypso, Steelpan and Limbo…While others may have them… We invented them

Our Unique Mix

Trinidad and Tobago boasts a rich and diverse culture.  The arts and customs of the land reflect the cultural footprints left by the African, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and varying European inhabitants of generations past.

Home of the Best Carnival in the World

And speaking of footprints, “…we chippin* down de road,” there’s no place in the world to enjoy Carnival like Trinidad and Tobago. Often described as the eighth wonder of the world, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival takes place every year, the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday on the Roman Catholic Calendar. The colours, sights, sounds and culinary delights of this Caribbean melting pot will undoubtedly get your senses going.

Creativity with purpose

As the home of the steelpan, calypso and limbo, our cultural ingenuity is unmistakable.  An astute people, Trinbagonians (the people of Trinidad and Tobago) have fashioned a rich history into a thriving industry. Exponents of the arts and culture are supported by a well organised industry, awash with theatres, art centres, workshops and organising bodies that cater to artistic development and expression. www.cdcga.gov.tt

www.trinidadandtobagofilm.com

*Chippin – to move in a leisurely fashion to the sound of music

Andrea De Silva: The woman behind the images

Pictures for the website were provided by renowned Trinidad and Tobago photographer, Andrea De Silva.

A professional photographer for 24 years, Andrea De Silva always loved taking pictures of family, friends, even strangers in a variety of situations. Born and raised in Port of Spain Trinidad, Andrea began an internship in the photography department at the Trinidad Guardian, the oldest newspaper in Trinidad and Tobago, while still a high school student. “Rudy Taylor who was the photo editor at the Guardian told me to just go out and take pictures,” Andrea recalls, “and he liked the pictures I took so he published my work; I wasn’t paid but it was a good experience.”

After graduating from high school Andrea began working for the Guardian on a freelance basis, shooting various sports and entertainment events, business conferences, breaking news stories and a range of cultural activities related to Trinidad’s world renowned carnival. In 1995 Andrea joined the staff of the Trinidad Express newspaper where she worked until 2001. She returned to the Guardian Publishing Company as a staff photographer for their new photo driven tabloid The Wire. When The Wire ceased publication a year and a half later Andrea returned to the Guardian newspaper, this time as The Associate Editor of Photography. Within a short period, the quality of her work, as well as her diligence, earned her the title of Acting Editor of Photography.

Andrea has received several awards for her photography. In 1997 she won Best News Photograph in the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT). She won first and third prize in (Caribbean Airline’s in flight publication) Caribbean Beat Magazine’s Photo Competition in 2000. Between 2003 and 2006 Andrea’s work was cited for several honors from the Association of Media Photography in Trinidad and Tobago (AMPOTT) including Best Fashion Photo, Best Feature Photo, Best Carnival Photo, Best Facial Expression Photo and Best Social Photo. She also received a special award for Best Soca Warriors Photo in the 2006 World Cup Trinidad Coverage. The organization named her Photographer of the Year in 2003 and in 2006 she was presented with an Honourary Award for meritorious service as a Photographer.

In December  2006 Andrea left The Guardian to form Silva Image, an all purpose photography company (www.silvaimage.com) which has already recruited a number of individual and corporate clients in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the Caribbean.

Andrea has also freelanced for a number of international publications including In Touch, Caribbean Beat, Island Life, Ocean Style Magazine, Poland’s Fakt Magazine and the Efe news agency, the largest Spanish language news agency in the world and the third largest news agency overall.

Despite her many accomplishments and awards, Andrea remains just as excited about photography as she was in her days as an intern. “I am very passionate about photography, it is like therapy for me; when I am at work I just forget about everything else,” says Andrea. “I like to capture people in different walks of life and all kinds of events. I couldn’t see my self doing anything else.”