Pat and Ken Ramsay dancing up a storm at a party in St Andrew last October. - File

BESIDES TAKING photos in faraway locations, Ken Ramsay loved to party with Jamaica's in-crowd. The lanky lensman stood out at most soirées, thanks to his trademark scarves and riding boots.

Ramsay died last week at the age of 73. His body was was found by his gardener at his home in Portland on Friday morning. No cause of death has been announced.

Yesterday, film-maker Lennie Little-White remembered his close friend of 35 years as a free spirit who refused to limit his talent.

Zest for life

"He was one of the most open and creative persons in terms of his craft. Ken could also be critical but in a supportive way and that, I think, was his greatest asset," Little-White said.

Marcia Erskine, head of public relations at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, said the social scene will not be the same without the flamboyant photographer.

"One thing I will miss is his debonair style, those immaculately polished boots," Erskine said. She also commented on his zest for life.

"Ken was always working on something exciting, he was always buzzing."

At the time of his death, Ramsay was still employed as a contract worker to the Jamaica Observer. Over the years, he covered several major events for that newspaper, including the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and the West Indies cricket tour of South Africa in 1998.

He made his name as a celebrity photographer in the 1970s, 'shooting' the likes of African-American model Susan Taylor and Michael Manley, Jamaica's charismatic socialist prime minister.

Ramsay's profile of a bald Taylor won him fans in the black American community. He formed a lasting friendship with Taylor who went to become editor of Essence magazine.

The Taylor shot was featured in the retrospective book, Dare To Dream. The Dream Lives On and Jamaica: Out of Many One People were Ramsay's other books.

Ken Ramsay was the younger brother of noted attorney Ian Ramsay. He was married to Pat Ramsay, former curator of art galleries at Mutual Life and The Pegasus.

No funeral arrangements have been announced.