Key West Perspective Karrie Bond

Tom Flip came to Key West 15 years ago, camera in hand, and built his career as a photographer. He shot weddings, ad campaigns, creative projects…but in 2013, a new opportunity would give wings to an interest he’d had all his life, which was photographing people. But not just any people, it was the eclectic characters of Key West that drew his attention. Five years later, he revisits the project with a 2018 edition and gallery opening at The Studios of Key West, and we got to sit down and learn more about the inspiration behind a five month photo shoot that brought the community together.

After Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the Florida Keys, one Key West woman took charge to see that the kids affected by the storm would be taken care of and have a sense of normalcy, even as their parents and families struggled to get back on their feet.

Key West has a long history of freediving (diving without a SCUBA tank), and those divers make up the majority of the local spearfishing population. What they probably don't tell you is that there is a lot more to it than taking a deep breath and jumping over the side of the boat. We talk with local spearfisherman Robert Bond on how one wrong move can mean serious trouble, what you need to try spearfishing for the first time, and how Key West differs from other areas.

As a staple of every Key Wester's personal care regimen, it was no surprise to find standing room only as locals flooded the City Government building to discuss a proposed ban - the first of its kind in the continental US - on certain types of sunscreen. We discuss the arguments shared by both sides, and go into why this matters not just for Key West, but for the entire planet.

Welcome! Listen in to find out how a 2 week gig turned into life in paradise, and what sequence of events led to this show!