Celebrated photographer Alistair Morrison unveiled his latest work last night, designed to honour Bermudian icons.

Mr Morrison told the audience, including many of the subjects of the work, that they all felt like family to him.

He said: “Bermuda is an island, which is family to me. My mother was born here. It was only through circumstances of my parents leaving Bermuda that I was born elsewhere.

“It has always been a family home. My children love it. We come back all the time.”

Shadows are prominent in all of the pictures and are used to underline the contributions of the subjects.

Sir John Swan, the island's longest-serving premier, triathlete Flora Duffy, environmentalist Stuart Hayward, and former Bermuda conservation officer David Wingate are among the 14 figures photographed for the piece entitled An Island's Legacy — Postcards from Bermuda.

Martha Dismont, executive director of children's charity Family Centre, is photographed with the shadow of a youngster and the photograph of football hero Clyde Best has his shadow ready to trap a falling ball.

Other featured subjects included Jim Butterfield, Olympic rower, Ronnie Chameau, historian and expert on the island's Native American history and football star Shaun Goater.

Former national museum director Edward Harris, Commonwealth gold high jumper Clarance “Nicky” Saunders, cancer patients' champion Ann Smith Gordon, noted teacher Ruth Thomas and celebrated former hotelier Allan Trew were also included.

Mr Morrison told the subjects: “When I come to Bermuda, I usually arrive at 6.30pm and one of the first things I always notice is the wonderful shadows on the wonderful architecture of Bermuda.

“Shadows was a very important part of the way I photographed you all.”

He added: “We had a funny experience with Flora, because we were waiting for this huge cloud to come by. And I needed to get three different shadows of Flora, not one. We got them, but we were waiting for so many hours.”

Mr Morrison was pleased to be supported by British Airways and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, where the work will be displayed.

He said: “To be part of this collection is an honour in itself. The reality is every single space is taken up by wonderful art.

Sir John said the photographs captured the spirit of the island and those who had contributed to it.

He added: “The word family strikes a bell, because all of those who you see this evening have played a very vital role in Bermuda, of lifting up the spirit of people.

“That's what families do, or should do. Lift the spirit.

“The work that he has done will tell you how these individuals feel about Bermuda.”

Mr Best said the work was “fantastic”.

Ms Dismont added: “I think that's what makes a tremendous photographer, to capture what a person is about.

“It's just amazing what a good craftsperson can do with their draft, to bring out the feel of their subject.”

Tim Morrison, general manager of Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, said the hotel was committed to both the people of Bermuda and art, and Mr Morrison's creation was a blend of the two.

He added: “Alistair has made something that captures Bermuda and its people as a whole.”

Simon Brooks, North America senior vice-president of sales for British Airways, said the airline was delighted to back the project and have a renowned photographer such as Mr Morrison involved.