Winston D. Munnings
Former Diplomat, Journalist, and Photographer
My journey into the amazing world of Photography began unexpectedly at around age thirteen while I browsed my uncle's copy of U.S. National Geographic Magazine on his couch in South Beach Estates, Nassau, Bahamas. The stunning images sparked a passion that quietly developed over decades.
After University (Bit.ly/4tIjo6f), I had a diverse career, notably serving for nearly 20 years in the Diplomatic Service of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. My diplomatic career started in 1974 as Third Secretary & Vice Consulat the Embassy of The Bahamas in Washington, D.C. However, I reached the peak of my career as Head of Mission at the Bahamas Consulate-General in Miami, first as Bahamas Consul in 1986, and as Bahamas Consul General from 1988 to 1993.
Alongside my diplomatic work, I pursued a career in journalism as a Staff Journalist at the Nassau Guardian Newspaper and as a Bahamas-based Correspondent for United Press International. (UPI is an historic global news agency founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps. For much of the 20th century, it was a major rival to the Associated Press (AP) and was once among the "…Big Three…" U.S. wire services.)
I also served as an Assistant News Editor at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas from 1980 to 1984, where I anchored both radio and television news segments. In 1984, I was invited to return to the Diplomatic Service and was reposted to Washington, DC, for a second tour, this time as Second Secretary & Consul.
As I neared the end of my professional career in 1993, I chose to embrace my long-standing passion for photography. This decision led me to pursue formal education, earning a diploma in Professional Photography from the New York Institute of Photography, followed by a diploma in Applied Photography from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, a renowned School of Professional Studies. My artistic vision has always gravitated towards capturing the raw beauty of Nature, the intricate lives of Wildlife, and the breathtaking expanses of Landscape Photography.
I draw profound inspiration from the world around me, influenced significantly by my experiences with remarkable photographers such as Gordon Parks, who was not only a dear friend but also a mentor during my journey (and whose legacy continues to guide me). Most notably, I find myself deeply inspired by Ansel Adams, the iconic American landscape photographer and passionate environmentalist, whose work has set a high standard for the art of photography.
Now in semi-retirement, I balance work with writing and photography projects and travel frequently. Originally from The Bahamas, I move between South Florida, The Bahamas, and Washington, DC, my second home, all of which enrich my artistic journey.
Contact: [email protected] | [email protected] or leave a message at (305) 342-6668 anytime!
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This photo shows Sports Reporter Phil Smith (R) and me on the news set during a ZNS-TV 13 broadcast on a Saturday evening in 1981.
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I was selected as the cover story and was featured in the September 2012 issue of ArtFlow Magazine, a prestigious London-based publication.
https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/447382
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This award-winning photograph of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels also received ArtFlow Magazine's Annual Editor's Pick for 2012.
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In 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic, I published a 68-page photo guide titled "…The View From My Window…" (Finding Beauty In Your Own Backyard), which focuses on photographing birds at a backyard bird feeder. For more details, please visit. Https://Bit.ly/3nhXN7s & Https://Bit.ly/3YlGQbw
Facebook Location: Https://Bit.ly/4sS2WR6 & Https://Bit.ly/3YLPO20