Dec. 30, 2007 — Ervin Dorsett Jr. is no stranger to the community, and he is best known in his capacity as a government photographer and public-information officer.
But there's more to him than just his love of photography. In fact, after sitting down with this humble 27-year-old St. Thomas resident for just a few hours, it is easy to pick up on his sincerity, his love of the territory and its history, and his compassion for others.
It's fair to say that Dorsett wears his heart on his sleeve, and can spend hours talking about his wife, Gail, and their two sons, Khaaliq and Ervin Dorsett III. But catch him in conversation on the right day and he will also speak passionately about religion, his time behind the camera and the two businesses that he has worked hard to cultivate.
Inevitably, each discussion will also be dotted by bright smiles and hearty laughter, leaving listeners with a feeling that they've just bumped into a rare kind of individual, one who freely lends his ear — and his time — to those in need.
Though he hardly talks about himself, Dorsett says that he does have two qualities that help him stay balanced: a strong faith in God, and a determination to "never give up." Those attributes have served him well over the years, taking him through high school and onto college at Florida State University, where he became a business major.
"I always knew that I wanted to own my own business," he says, adding that his parents, Carmencita and Ervin Dorsett Sr. — both government employees with their own private accounting business — helped to influence his interests.
"My mother always encouraged me and told me that I could do anything I put my mind to," Dorsett says. "And my father — just watching his work ethic has helped to push me forward. He always instilled in me that whatever I wanted in life, I would have to work hard for it. My uncle Theodore also owns his own business, and works as a court reporter. I also have three sisters, and I always wanted to be to them the kind of man that I would want them to marry."
In the summer of 2000, Dorsett starting working at Government House through a program sponsored by the Department of Labor. After returning to school, he asked if he could come back the following summer. He was then offered a permanent job as a photographer and public-information officer under former Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
The position took a hold on his life. After transferring to the University of the Virgin Islands, and subsequently completing his degree online, Dorsett had incorporated visual communications into his studies and built a business called Masterpiece Photography.
"I have always liked graphic design," he explains. "And I've been taking pictures since I was a kid. But I don't think of it as work — I actually view it as capturing moments in time. I love history, but more so visual history. The governors are the ones who shape our future, and I have the opportunity to capture that and preserve it for future generations."
He laughs as he recounts time spent with another prominent individual in his life: Mary Francis, affectionately known, he says, as "Nenen."
"She always said that I could be governor one day," Dorsett says. "And I when I was little, I went to church by Government House, and I would always tell myself that one day I would be up there. It's ironic that my position at Government House was the first one I got out of college, and I would like to thank Gov. deJongh for keeping me on, and his confidence in me, that I could continue in this capacity."
With his passion for photography satisfied, Dorsett also sought to cultivate his interest in private business.
"I also own my own marketing business," he says. "It just started out as a way to pay off college bills, but it evolved into something I really like to do. I enjoy interacting with people and seeing the satisfaction on their faces after they've gotten quality service. I like that I can provide that for them, and help them out with what they need."
When asked how he balances a full-time job and running two businesses, Dorsett once again refers to his family, saying that his wife and sons continue to provide a strong support system at home.
"Doing what I do, you're going to have to put in long hours," he says. "But they're always there for me, and I know they will always continue to offer their support. And one day, I hope that my kids will also learn to have a strong relationship with God, and will find something that they love so that they don't have to 'work' a day in their lives.
"That's a major thing, to be able to work, yes, but to find something of their own that they actually like, and can control and be financially independent. I don't view my job as work — it's a lifestyle for me. Because when I'm not on the job, I'm still doing it for myself."
Looking ahead, Dorsett says he hopes one day to publish some of his photos and expand his marketing business both nationally and internationally. For more information on these services, please visit masterpiecephotos.com or denterprisesworldwide.com (password: worldwide).
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