I arrived on the beautiful island of Saint Martin in 2001, opening my first photography shop in Grand Case, called Alex Photos. Over the years, my passion for capturing moments evolved, and today I run my professional photography company, SXMDigitalMedia.

In June 2006, I had the privilege of photographing a spectacular sailboat race in Grand Case Bay. Looking back at these images nearly 20 years later, I am struck by their timeless magic — each photograph has become a treasured window into the past.

The race featured the “Sain Toises”, traditional wooden sailboats that first appeared in the 18th century. Originally built for fishing, these elegant vessels are now increasingly rare, making each photo a precious record of a maritime heritage slowly disappearing.

Back then, Grand Case was still a quiet fishing village, its shores alive with the simple rhythms of island life. Today, it has transformed into a vibrant destination, dotted with gourmet restaurants, trendy bars, and private beaches, yet the bay still whispers the stories of the past, captured forever through my lens.

Photography has the incredible power to travel through time, and revisiting these images reminds me of the beauty, tradition, and soul of Saint Martin — before modernity reshaped its landscape. These photos are not just memories — they are a treasure of history, culture, and island life, frozen in a moment of sunlight, wind, and sails.