Pandemic Pride

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A photo project to celebrate the Vancouver LGBTQ2+ Community during the Time of COVID.
I thought it was important to photograph LGBTQ2+ folks and document this challenging and bizarre time in our Queer History.
I wanted to accentuate that as a Community we are resilient.
That Pride is a feeling, and we don't need a specific day once a year to be Proud of who we are.
Folks were asked to pose as their most fabulous Pride selves while wearing a COVID mask.

Vancouver Drag Queens Miss Gloria Hole and Mina Mercury perform the Main Stage during Pride and attend numerous events sharing love and naughtiness.

Heather and Linnea attend events and immerse themselves in Queer culture during Pride. They love to ride in the Dykes on Bikes and the Vancouver Pride Parade.

DJ O Show (Orene Askew) spins at numerous Pride weekend events including the Pride Main Stage. Orene was a Vancouver Pride Parade Grand Marshall in 2019.

Vancouver Men’s Chorus President Yogi Omar rides his scooter every year in the Vancouver Pride Parade. He is pictured with his new puppy Bear.

Sister Fancy Pants, pictured at the Vancouver Aids Memorial, is a Vancouver Sister of Perpetual Indulgence and the current reigning Miss Vancouver Gay 40.

ANALOG DREAMS

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The digital photo medium triggers my insatiable need for perfection. I have to control the scene, the light, the outcome. As expected, this need can sometimes stifle creativity and spontaneity.
I truly long to be an artist. I feel that digital doesn't afford me that luxury.
I realized that fact recently when I was gifted an old analog camera and loaded it with expired film.
I am just re-learning this medium and using expired film is a good practice in impermanence and letting go. Letting go of what the outcome will look like or if there even will be one. I can't control the outcome because I can't see it on the back of my camera and perfect it, over and over and over again. I have to click the shutter, let go, and trust.
The ritual of film is fulfilling.
The anticipation of the film being processed and then that satisfying tangible moment of holding a print in my hands.
I am infatuated.
This is a scene I captured at a nude photo workshop I attended. It is far from technical perfection, and yet, I find it truly beautiful.

Health Initiative for Men || Condom Wrappers Shoot

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Well, this one certainly wasn't on my Bucket List but I can tick it off now.
A sexy photo shoot in a Men's Only Bathhouse - CHECK!!
This project with Vancouver’s Health Initiative for Men was for condom wrappers they distribute for free to the community.

RIVER 'THE FOX' TUCKER

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Boxing champ River Tucker arrived tired, hungry and caffeine free to this shoot.
But it wasn't a detriment because this is a person endowed with deep focus and determination. You can feel it in her presence and you can see it in the images we created together.
I have wanted to work with River for some time so I was excited when she suggested we shoot in her gritty New Westminster training gym. We could not have asked for a cooler location to shoot these edgy promo images.
River is a two-time National medallist in amateur boxing and former Western Canadian Champion. R. She Founded Vancouver’s Queer Box Camp and owns Functional Fitness Gym in East Vancouver.

The boy is 18 today

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Hard to believe it's been 5 years since I photographed him.
I still adore this image. I always will. It was the first time I ever pushed myself to get past my fear of approaching someone I didn't know who I wanted to photograph.
I feel like this image opened a door for me I never stepped through. I feel like I'm always at the edge of defining my style and I sense there's something more I need to discover about myself as a photographer.
It's like that feeling of having a word lingering just on the tip of your tongue.
I believe this image is the closest I've ever come to finding my voice. 

em′ula′tion

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My grandmothers pearls, a gorgeous actress and a wonderful team helped to create this image which was inspired by a portrait of actress Laura Dern by photographer Dan Winters.

Actress Eliza Hargreaves as photographed by belle ancell

Actress Laura Dern as photographed by Dan Winters

Awesome team: Assistant Bridget Shacklette, MOI, Model Eliza Hargreaves, Hair Stylist Hair by Soo.

'Unveiled' Photo Exhibit and Celebration

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Thanks to Graham Spence, Debbie Pipe and Jason Husmillo for capturing all the fun at my first solo photo show and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 5th Anniversary party.
I feel so grateful to the Sisters for this wee photo project that somehow took on a life of it's own and brought the community together in love and celebration.
I look forward to watching the Abbey grow and photographing more beautiful Sisters !!!

Outlook TV's coverage of the evening. Story begins at 9:09 minutes.