The Turks and Caicos Islands are best known for their amazing beaches, their crystal blue water and their never-ending summer. Beyond the postcard description, we find awesome people, full of charisma, beauty and talent. One of them is the fantastic Tray David Robinson, aka Ballerina Buoy, the Turks and Caicos Dancer.

Recently Tray accepted a full Scholarship at Tiffany Theatre College in the UK and we are so proud of him. To celebrate this great opportunity and achievement, I suggested a photo shoot in one of the island best kept secret location: the Bird Trail. An early wake up call, a little bit of makeup, a short hike and we were in business. With grace, elegance and no music, he danced for my camera and together we created a collection of beautiful photographs.

“Follow your dreams. They know the way.”

The walk on the trail gave me the opportunity to ask Tray plenty of questions, so let’s hear it from him!

How did you start dancing? – “It’s kind of a funny story. During my highschool junior year, I was part of a teen organization called INTERACT. One day I went to the Youth Centre for a meeting but accidentally mistake the date. While walking around I noticed a dance class and I started to watch. The teacher spotted me and ask if I like what I was seeing. In no time I found myself pared up with a partner, dancing. I wasn’t very good and I stumbled on my toes. But seeing other school students and meeting new people, encouraged me to come back for more classes”.

“Just a few weeks later, I was performing in front of a crowd at “Hopelessly Romantic”, a musical event and Valentine auction organised by The Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts.

“My aunt Bubu passed away a month prior to me discovering my passion for dance. I think about her every time I remember how I started to dance”.

Barefeet, dancing shoes or high heels… Ballerina Buoy  enchant us with his moves and unique personality.

Next question: Ballerina Buoy, how did you get your stage name? – “A few years ago, during a photo shoot, some friends saw me dancing for the first time and they give me the nickname “Ballerina Buoy”. At first I didn’t like it but then it grew on me and I like it’s meaning: Ballerina to represent my feminine side then dancing; Boy, spelled as Buoy, representing my masculine side and the expression of the confidence I found”.

This post is certainly about Tray but did you notice the fantastic location?!? I simply love it!

Besides dancing, Tray revealed that he loves doing researches, focused on the current thematics and the modern society.

I promised myself to take only a handful of photos of the fabulous Turks and Caicos Dancer.. yeah right! I ended up with over 200 edited images 🙂

I like to push my models, a little out of their comfort zone. When I suggested a few shots in the mud, I felt a little reluctancy, but for the Love of Art (and some photographer pressure) Tray accepted.

So worth the effort!

And finally, I can’t finish this blog post without one of Tray’s fabulous smile. Because that’ how we all know him, happy, dancing, dreaming and ready to conquer the world. Good luck in the UK Tray!

© Attimi Photography – Turks and Caicos Photographer