Want to recreate Jamaica’s famous red shirt photo? All you need is a red JAMAICA T-shirt, a beautiful beach or river, and someone to take the picture.
The look comes from a famous 1972 tourism photograph featuring model Sintra Bronte. Over the years, celebrities and visitors alike have put their own spin on it.
And you can too.
Make a Little Piece of Jamaica Your Own
Some of the best vacation memories don’t have to cost much. And recreating this famous photograph is one of those fun little things to do in Jamaica while you’re here.
You’re putting your own spin on a piece of Jamaican history, and all it takes is a shirt, a beautiful backdrop and a few minutes of your time.
Share it on Instagram, show it to your friends or even frame it when you get home. Who knows? It might just turn out to be one of your favourite memories from the trip.
How to Recreate the Famous Red Jamaica Shirt Photo
You don’t need a professional photographer or a trip to the original location. Here’s how to get the look.
1. Get the shirt. Look for a red T-shirt with JAMAICA printed across the front in bold black letters. It doesn’t have to be sheer like the original.
2. Find your spot. A beach with turquoise water is perfect for the classic look. A calm river surrounded by greenery works just as well.
3. Strike your pose. Stand in shallow water, face the camera and make sure the lettering is visible. Copy the original pose or put your own spin on it.
4. Take the shot. A phone is fine. Try a waist-up picture, take a few different poses and see which one you like best.
See How Others Recreated the Iconic Jamaica Shirt Look
More than 50 years after the original photograph, the famous red Jamaica shirt is still getting attention.
Alicia Keys, Shenseea and Bernice Burgos are among those who’ve been photographed wearing the look, each putting their own spin on it.
Some people go for the classic beach setting. Others choose rivers, greenery or a completely different pose.
That’s part of the fun. There’s no single way to make the photograph your own.
Where in Jamaica Should You Take Your Photo?
The great thing about recreating this photograph is that you have plenty of places to do it. Jamaica has beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls and natural pools, so there’s no need to visit the original location.
At the beach: Clear turquoise water gives you that classic Jamaica vacation look. If you’re staying in Negril or Montego Bay, you may already have a suitable beach nearby.
At a river: We’ve got some beautiful rivers, waterfalls and natural pools surrounded by greenery. Find a calm, safe spot, and you can give the photograph a completely different feel.
At Frenchman’s Cove: If you want to recreate the photograph where it all began, Frenchman’s Cove in Portland is the place associated with the original photoshoot. It’s worth considering if you’re already exploring that side of the island.
You don’t need to plan a special trip just for the photograph. If you’re already enjoying a beach or river, why not take a few pictures while you’re there?
Who Was the Famous Jamaica Poster Girl?
The woman in the original photograph was Sintra Bronte, a Trinidadian model who appeared in a Jamaica tourism image in 1972.
The photograph, associated with Frenchman’s Cove in Portland, shows her wearing a wet red T-shirt with JAMAICA printed across the front.
The bold shirt, water and memorable pose helped make it one of Jamaica’s most recognizable tourism images.
More than 50 years later, people are still borrowing the look. Not bad for a photograph taken long before Instagram.
Where Can You Get a Red Jamaica Shirt?
You don’t need an exact copy of the original.
A regular red Jamaica T-shirt with bold black lettering works, especially if you’d prefer something that isn’t sheer.
We have a red Jamaica shirt available on Amazon that you can order before your trip, so you don’t have to spend your vacation looking for one.
Shop Our Red Jamaica Shirt on Amazon
It’s a modern, non-sheer option rather than an exact reproduction. Just remember that a regular cotton T-shirt can become heavy when wet.
A Few Tips Before You Take the Photo
Try taking your pictures in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer. Keep the JAMAICA lettering visible and avoid a busy background.
And don’t risk rough water, strong currents or slippery rocks just for a photograph.
Have some fun with it. You might end up with a vacation picture that’s good enough to frame when you get home.
