On Wednesday, February 11th the last print issue of Xtra Vancouver was published.
I am so grateful to Editor Robin Perelle and Xtra for taking a chance on an emerging photographer with no editorial shooting experience.
The day Robin asked me into her office to invite me to shoot for Xtra I said yes, but I was terrified!! So terrified of failing that I turned down my first cover shoot with them. But I didn’t turn down the next one.
It was a shoot with the Little Sisters Bookstore family for their 30th Anniversary story.
I will always have that wonderful memory of working with them and with Jim Deva before his tragic death.
I will have many wonderful memories from the shoots I did, the fabulous people I was privileged to photograph, and the pride I felt at seeing my he{art} work in print on the newsstands.
Thank you Xtra for believing in me. Thank you for honouring me with the task of photographing this incredible group of community leaders for your last print issue.

Xtra_the_last_issue_photoshoot_community_portrait

Read the full story and the bios HERE about the individuals honoured in this commemorative portrait.

Behind the scenes of the Xtra newspaper final print edition photo shoot with Vancouver LGBTQ community leaders. Video by Tony James ~ dreamfixation@gmail.com

Check out more of my LGBT portraiture at belleancell.com

A fun time was had at the 14th Annual Fillmore Family Prairie Fowl Supper and Barn Dance.

Over $70,000 was raised for worthy receipients, A Loving Spoonful, McLaren House and Out in Schools.

This year was a special event as the Matriarch of the Fillmore Family, Linda Fillmore was turning 80 years old. Here are a few of my favorite images I shot of the evening.