Roxanne Schurton Capturing Memorable Memories

Roxanne Schurton Capturing Memorable Memories



By Michael Schurton and Trevesa DaSilva-Ashman


October 8, 2010

Roxanne Schurton is an extra ordinary young Jamaican entrepreneur who has been making waves behind the camera.

Her love for the camera started from birth. This fascination first started when she would love posing for the camera. Then later, Roxanne became fascinated with the lights, camera and action at the various photo studios she visited. The camera loved her and she proved to be a good model. Then later it would be Roxanne who would love the camera, this time, taking pictures of everything.

The former Westwood High and Ardenne High School student has forged ahead in a male dominated field. Her venture as a writer/photographer/videographer has been a natural journey. While attending Ardenne High School she started writing for the TEENage, published by the Jamaica Observer. As a child her visits to various media houses including Radio Waves, JBC Radio West, LOVE FM, and LOVE Television allowed Roxanne to develop a love for the media industry.

Roxanne holds a BSC in Computing and Information Technology at the University of Technology as she wanted to pursue a career in computer programming, however, she made a big change to a field which she really enjoys. After completing her university studies Roxanne along with her friend Michael McLeish started the company MPIXEL. MPIXEL has been steadily growing into a reputable company. MPIXEL provides photography, videography, graphic designing, ID design and printing and a wide range of other services.

The company has done work for several major corporate companies. These include Grace Kennedy & Company Limited, Wolmer’s Boy’s School, Word Time Ministries of Jamaica, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Main Event and by extension Digicel, Red Stripe, Smirnoff, Guinness etc. among a host of schools and gospel artists.

The multi-talented Schurton has been making a name for herself as a writer, photographer and videographer. Roxanne possesses the rear combination of beauty, brains and business acumen. Schurton noted that she has a natural love for taking pictures and find the entire process quite rewarding and fulfilling.

“I truly love taking pictures most of all and it’s great to be paid to do something you love”. But Roxanne admits is more than the limelight and photography, videography, graphic designing is extremely hard work. “It seems easy, but it is hard work” “This field requires long hours, a lot of preparation and post production work and it is a very expensive venture” the talented young Jamaican stated.

Roxanne however finds real satisfaction in capturing memories, and moments, - scenes that otherwise might have been forgotten or that you might never see again. She finds that both photography and videography are not only relevant in terms of publicity and news, but more importantly in recording pieces of history. “The images captured today for sheer interest will even be more valuable in years to come as we record history for others to enjoy” Schurton said.

While the young company has been enjoying relative success she also emphasized that there has been many obstacles to overcome along the way in establishing and maintaining the business. She said that there are several challenges that the company face from time to time, not just in the job as a photographer and videographer, but also in operating a successful business but Roxanne and her business partner Michael McLeish has been both persistent and determined to overcome the challenges and obstacles.

Roxanne Schurton and Michael McLeish have been creative and innovative in selecting locations and venue for photo shoots. She explained that in composing scenes for special shoots the theme or purpose of the shoot guides the choice of location and subjects. “Arranging a photo shoot demands more than a good eye for details. The uniqueness or aesthetic appeal of the setting is very important” she said.

Roxanne Schurton and Michael McLeish the proud owners and operators of MPIXEL also gives back despite their struggles to maintain financial viability. She has donated several hours in working for Word Time Ministries of Jamaica and other church organizations. Roxanne who was awarded by the Ministry for Volunteer of the Year 2003 still continues to play a vital role. She has won several other awards from the Ministry including: Best Effort Award, Courage Award at the Annual Sports Championships, Fund Raiser of the Year, and the 2009 Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Ministry.

Roxanne has grown up with a keen sense of community and the need to give back to society. She first started as a volunteer at age 12 with Word Time Ministries of Jamaica. She eagerly participated in visiting several children’s homes and hospitals. Her sense of compassion and concern for others lead her to find time to read for the children in hospitals and also to be a voice in the choir singing for patients at several. She was instrumental in starting a home work programme for the Ministry at the Jamaica Christian Boys Home.

Roxanne Schurton is the chief photographer and her business partner Michael McLeish, the chief videographer for Word Time Ministries of Jamaica. The Ministry events are never complete with the work of MPIXEL. Both recently were awarded for outstanding contribution to Word Time Ministries of Jamaica.

Roxanne flashed her signature smile when asked about her favourite subjects to capture. “Naturally people are my favourite subject. I think people bring photography alive with endless stories of who they are and what they are about. I also love to photograph nature and events.” I find that I look forward to capturing children and babies, and unique and interesting people.”

MPIXEL has also done work at the international showcase Reggae Sumfest. In 2007 the company was contracted to provide photos of the event. The assignment she noted was a total team work. She reported that the venture was both interesting and financially rewarding.

Roxanne’s impressive list of photo credits is rapidly climbing. Among her list of famous personalities she has captured on her camera include: Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt, Michael Frater, Shelly Ann Fraser, Judith Gayle-Dennis Rushton, Kimiela Candy Isaacs, Noreta Lewis, Terry Karelle Griffiths, Bruce Golding, Portia Simpson Miller, Barat Jagdeo, Babsy Grange, Nevil Bell, and Kay Osbourne to name a few.

Schurton’s list of famous personalities she would like to meet and photograph are: United States President, Barack Obama, international tele-evangelist T.D. Jakes, Morris Chestnut, Hale Berry, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Roxanne Schurton believes that her work must be autographed with the highest quality possible. She ensures quality is maintained with captivating locations, appealing visuals and exciting camera work. Quality and excellent customer service is the perpetual element in Schurton’s work.

Roxanne Schurton is on a mission to capture memorable memories with her captivating photography of people, places events. “It has been said that a picture is worth a million words, but a lot of times a picture expresses what words would not have otherwise expressed” Schurton says. From sports, culture, arts and entertainment to social and corporate events Roxanne Schurton has defied the odds and continue to capture wonderful memories.

Roxanne Schurton a talented and resilient young Jamaican woman has been making quite a name for herself behind the camera. She believes that with hard work determination and creativity she can one day be in the spotlight as a famous photographer. Roxanne Schurton is creatively turning ordinary moments into memorable memories.