Meet the Judges Behind the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2025
We are honored to feature a panel of distinguished judges for the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2025.
Each of our judges brings a unique perspective to this contest. Get to know the talented individuals who will be helping select the winning images:
Makil Bedminster
Makil Bedminster is a proud son of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with deep ancestral roots in Dominica, the lush “Nature Island” of the Caribbean. Raised between the vibrant shores of St. Thomas and the fertile hills of Dominica, Makil’s early life was steeped in natural wonder and cultural richness. Summers were spent in river baths at dawn, tending cattle with his great-grandfather, harvesting vegetables on his grandfather’s farm, and hiking to sulfur springs tucked deep in the forest. These moments weren’t just pastimes, they became the moral compass and creative fuel that still guide his life today.
From an early age, Makil felt called to the arts. Though music was his first love, it was the gift of a camera that truly transformed how he saw, and shared, the world around him. That passion led him to pursue a degree in film and journalism, and ultimately to the founding of Viable Pictures, a local media production company committed to elevating Caribbean voices, brands, and stories through powerful visual content.
Professionally, Makil works with businesses across the Virgin Islands and beyond, but his heart remains drawn to capturing the beauty of his environment and culture. His photography often focuses on landscapes, environmental portraiture, and the quiet moments that define Caribbean life. Now open water certified, his fascination with nature has extended from mountaintops and farm trails into the depths of the sea—where he continues to explore the ocean’s magic with the same reverence he’s always held for the land.
As a judge for this year’s photo competition, Makil brings not just technical insight, but a lifetime of lived experience rooted in nature, culture, and community. He believes that the most powerful images aren’t just seen, they’re felt, and they have the ability to preserve, protect, and inspire generations to come.
Matthew Burzon
Passionate about 4WD travel and sailing photography, Matthew Burzon captures action, remote landscapes, and coastal scenes using a Nikon Z6, D5200, and iPhone 15 Pro. For more than 35 years, Matthew has travelled frequently to the French West Indies, where he is continuously inspired by the natural beauty and vibrant cultures of the Caribbean.
Matthew is also an Open Water Scuba Diver and serves a Lieutenant at his local fire department – these experiences reflect on his commitment to exploration, service and community.
Professionally, Matthew is the Founder and President of The Source and Recruit Company, where they use AI-driven strategies and market insights to help businesses hire top talent. Their modern, multi-brand recruitment platform supports data-informed hiring practices and strong candidate alignment with company culture.
Matthew Cohen
As a professional nautical photographer and sailor with over 25 years of experience in both fields, Matthew Cohen’s talent is reflected in how he discovers unique perspectives, captures great motion, and understands the maritime world. He is respected by clients, collectors, customers, colleagues, and competitors on both local and international levels. In today’s saturated industry and niche market, Matthew believes that relentless creativity, customer service, and continued education are three imperative tenets for long term success.
Twenty five years ago, he experimented with 35mm film and later learned the magic of printing in his college darkrooms. It was then he decided to blend his photographic talent and passion for the sea towards a fulfilling and challenging career. Matthew graduated from Roger Williams University during the digital photography explosion and shortly after, he was grateful and fortunate to work for two inspiring industry leaders, Onne van der Wal and Clint Clemens.
Matthew acquired his love of boating as a child and competed with the very successful Roger Williams University Varsity Team. Following his tenure with the RWU Hawks, he became an accomplished sailing instructor for 25 years at the renowned Sail Newport Sailing Center, and now has logged over 37,000 ocean miles. Being a professional sailor for over a decade has given Matthew the tools, know-how and ability to brave ends of super yacht bow sprits, dangle 100’ above the deck, or higher in helicopters to produce rare and enduring works of art.
When not behind his camera, you may find Matthew networking in town, dancing the night away, enjoying water sports, flying sailplanes, or hand delivering his products to customers and collectors in the Newport, Rhode Island area.
Irtha Daniel
Irtha Daniel brings a unique blend of creativity, environmental insight, and judging experience to the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest 2025. A dedicated visual artist and poet, she has spent years exploring the intersection of art and nature, using creative expression to raise awareness about environmental issues.
With a professional background working within environmental NGO’s such as Environment Tobago, UNICEF and presently as Manager of The House of Vetiver and member of I Am Movement, Irtha Daniel is deeply familiar with the pressing challenges our planet faces, as well as the power of imagery to inspire change. In addition to her environmental work, she has previously served as a judge for children’s carnival competitions, where her eye for creativity, originality, and cultural relevance was greatly appreciated. Irtha is excited to be part of this competition and looks forward to celebrating the ways (young and emerging) photographers capture the beauty and urgency of the world around us.
Lexi Fisher
Lexi was born and raised in Grenada and grew up sailing with her father Jeff, a longtime friend of Chris Doyle, the founder of Doyle Guides. Many of her childhood vacations were spent on the ocean or traveling abroad, which sparked her deep love of both. She studied Geography and Environmental Studies in Canada before returning home to Grenada, where she led guided kayak tours before becoming a scuba instructor in 2016.
Lexi had always dreamed of becoming a travel writer, so when Chris offered her a job in 2015, she eagerly accepted. She spent the 2016/17 season updating the Leeward Islands guide with him and learning the ins and outs of the business. In subsequent years and editions, she and Chris divided the islands—and the work—between them.
When the COVID-19 pandemic made international travel more difficult, Lexi produced a stand-alone guide to yachting and watersports in Grenada (view or download it free here). After Chris officially retired in 2022, she took over all aspects of producing the guides, including research, writing, photography, design, and marketing.
In addition to her work on the Doyle Guides, Lexi contributes to other yachting publications such as The Caribbean Compass and Cruising World Magazine, and helps organize the annual Grenada Sailing Week. Each year, she escapes the Caribbean summer heat for a few months in Ontario, Canada—her second home.
Etienne Lake
Etienne Lake is the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) and Dock Master at Yacht Club Isle de Sol in St. Maarten. A native of St. Maarten/St. Martin, Etienne previously served as a Chief Marine Park Ranger and Environmental Police Officer before joining IGY Marinas, where he has worked for the past 10 years. He is a certified dive instructor and rescue diver, as well as an active member of the Voluntary Korps St. Maarten (VKS).
Etienne is deeply dedicated to his family and friends and has continued to excel in his career at both Yacht Club Isle de Sol and Simpson Bay Marina. To read more about Etienne’s journey and achievements, check out his IGY Marina spotlight here.
