Winston D. Munnings
Former Diplomat, Journalist, and Photographer
My journey into the captivating world of photography began unexpectedly when I was just thirteen. One afternoon, as I relaxed on my uncle's favorite couch in South Beach Estates, Nassau, I noticed a copy of the National Geographic Magazine. As I flipped through its glossy pages, filled with stunning photos showcasing the incredible beauty and diversity of our planet, I was immediately captivated.
That magazine, famous for its iconic photography, sparked a passion I carried with me for decades. Although I didn’t show this passion outwardly for nearly thirty years, the seed planted that day eventually grew into a dedicated pursuit of my artistic interests.
As life unfolded, I traveled a diverse and dynamic journey through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, filled with various interests and career pursuits. Over nearly 20 years, I proudly served in the Diplomatic Service of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. My diplomatic career started in 1974 when I was appointed as Third Secretary & Vice Consul at the Bahamas’ Embassy in Washington, D.C., just six months after the Bahamas gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1973.
As one of the Bahamas’ pioneering Foreign Service Officers, I reached the height of my career when I served as Head of Mission at the Bahamas Consulate General in Miami from 1986 to 1993. I retired in 1993, leaving behind a legacy as Consul General, having established key international connections and worked for the welfare of Bahamians overseas.
Besides my diplomatic career, I was deeply passionate about journalism, which enabled me to explore storytelling through print and electronic media. I worked as a Staff Journalist at the Nassau Guardian and, in the early 1980s, as the Bahamas-based Correspondent for United Press International (UPI). My media experience also included electronic outlets, where I served as an Assistant News Editor at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas in Nassau. In that role, I took on the responsibility of anchoring both the Radio and Television Prime News segments, delivering accurate and engaging content to our audience. This position improved my storytelling skills and helped me develop a keen eye for engaging narratives.
As I neared retirement from diplomacy in early 1993, I felt a strong pull towards my long-standing passion for photography. To pursue this interest, I enrolled at the New York Institute of Photography and earned a professional photography diploma. My quest for knowledge continued at the renowned Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, a school specializing in professional education, where I earned an additional diploma in applied photography.
My main focus has always been on Nature and Wildlife Photography, a passion ignited by the natural beauty around me. I am deeply inspired by the work of respected photographers like Gordon Parks, a personal friend and mentor (now deceased) whose investigative lens captured the intricate fabric of the human experience, and Ansel Adams, the legendary landscape photographer and environmentalist whose breathtaking black-and-white images of the American West, especially iconic locations like Yosemite National Park, resonate with me deeply.
Today, I embrace a vibrant semi-retirement lifestyle, working part-time while juggling my professional responsibilities and personal passions. I frequently travel and engage in writing and photography projects that reflect my artistic interests.
Originally from The Bahamas, I now navigate between the lively international culture of South Florida, the tranquil charm of my beloved Bahamas, and the bustling atmosphere of Washington DC, my second home. Each location has profoundly shaped my outlook, igniting my creativity and enriching my artistic journey. Contact: [email protected] | [email protected] or simply 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 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.
My Facebook Locations: Https://Bit.ly/4sS2WR6 & Https://Bit.ly/3YLPO20