By Arianne Harell
Through his lens, Mehdy Maxor captures the essence of St. Barths, balancing the island’s luxurious tourism with its deep-rooted traditions. Passionate about storytelling through images, he creates photographs that preserve the island’s unique identity.
His work is instantly recognizable. Women dressed in traditional attire, seamlessly blending into St. Barths’ glamorous lifestyle. His photographs, displayed at the airport, The Christopher Hotel, and Le Barthélemy, have become part of the island’s visual landscape. But his journey began far from the spotlight, experimenting with his mother’s cameras as a child. Photography became a passion in his teenage years, an extension of his curiosity. He spent hours exploring the island, capturing its landscapes, flora, and fauna. What fascinated him most was the sense of discovery, photographing whatever caught his eye. At 16, he got his first camera, a Canon 100D, and it has never left his side since. Being completely self-taught, Mehdy challenged himself to improve his skills. He would focus on landscapes but experiment with different lighting, forcing himself to master camera settings to get the perfect shot. At first, he had no interest in photographing people. Nature was enough. But as he grew, so did his artistic ambition. He wanted to capture emotion and depth, so he turned to those around him for his first portrait sessions. It was a challenge. Approaching people wasn’t something that came naturally to him, but over time, he learned to direct his models and articulate his artistic vision.
“There was a story to tell about a generation caught between two worlds: luxury tourism and local traditions.”
Capturing the identity of St. Barths in a single image was no easy task. It took years before Mehdy found the right approach. Inspiration finally struck in his grandmother’s home, surrounded by old photographs. One stood out—a portrait of his great aunt in a traditional St. Barths dress. The traditional costume, he realized, was the ultimate symbol of local culture. His first major series, Origins (2017), brought these outfits back to life. With support from the Collectivity, he borrowed traditional dresses and photographed young women from the island in iconic locations like the Saline salt pond. His goal was to recreate a time his grandparents had known. There was one non-negotiable rule: his models had to be from St. Barths. For him, only local faces could truly represent the island’s culture. During one shoot, something unexpected happened. The models, still dressed in their traditional gowns, hopped on their quad bikes, scrolling through their phones with a cigarette in hand. The contrast struck him instantly. There was a story to tell about our generation, caught between two worlds. That moment sparked the idea for his next series. High Season, named after the island’s peak tourist period, captures a generation living between two realities. Young women in traditional dresses stroll through Gustavia’s shopping streets, sip cocktails on sun loungers at Eden Rock, and seamlessly navigate both worlds. The series plays with contrast, bridging two coexisting lifestyles on an island that is both intimate and global. When the collection was exhibited in 2021 at Rémy de Haenen Airport, Mehdy was overwhelmed by the reaction. Locals, visitors from mainland France, and tourists gathered in front of his images. Watching people from different backgrounds engage with the culture of St. Barths was an emotional experience.
Endless Creativity
More than just an aesthetic project, Mehdy’s work invites reflection and dialogue. He wanted to express the feeling of losing traditions in St. Barths, something that many locals are concerned about, but he also believes traditions don’t have to disappear. Instead, they can be reimagined and adapted to modern times. Looking ahead, he envisions a high-end tourism model that integrates the island’s heritage, an idea he explored in the second installment of High Season. From January 9 to March 31, 2025, he exhibited nine photographs at Le Barthélemy hotel, staying true to his signature style. Traditional costumes blend effortlessly into scenes of everyday luxury in St. Barths, creating a striking visual contrast. As his work evolves, so do his artistic interests. He once thought photography was his only passion, but over time, he realized that what truly drives him is storytelling through images. Now 27, he has spent the past few years exploring videography and feels just as comfortable with this medium. In early 2025, he launched his own media agency, offering photography and videography services tailored to businesses in St. Barths. Despite this new venture, his artistic projects remain a priority. A new photography series is already in the works, though this time, heritage is no longer the focus. Reinvention is key. There is still a connection to St. Barths, but the theme is broader and more universal. Alongside his photography, he is also working on releasing an album by the end of 2025.Overflowing with creativity, he has only one goal: to keep sharing stories.
