My He{Art} work debuts

Conceptualized it, planned it, photographed it, retouched it, printed it, framed it, mounted it.

Matting and framing my work for the Queer Arts Festival!!

On the walls and ready to go!!

Being in the same show as Joe Average was mind warping for me. Especially when he walked in and looked at my work on the wall.  

Noam Gagnon, my future husband.

Two of my artists...Mandy Randhawa and Eileen Kage.

Zoee Nuage, a photographer I admire and have now photographed.

It was fun to watch people's reactions to the images.

Mandy Randhawa in front of the beautiful image of her we created together.

David Robinson poses with his powerful image we collaborated on and created together.

A touching moment for me when my lighting instructor from photography school came to the opening to congratulate me.

Amber Dawn and I goofing it up in front of her stunning image.

Ginger Grads

I've been spending some time this summer with younger folks under bridges and other exotic locations.

Jessica is a 2013 graduate and we spent an afternoon under the Burrard Street Bridge with her sister Kaitlin and her friends Ted and Cory to create these fun images for her memory book.

Eau-Vive and Seja - Life Partners

I've been wanting to photograph these two for some time and I was so happy when everything finally came together to make that happen at magical Iona Beach.

Illuminares

Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.  ~Rumi

Poodle Photo Bomb !!

I don't remember a Poodle at this Photoshoot and I have photographic evidence.

What a fun bunch, as you can see from this year's Queer Film FestivalProgram guide.

The photograhic evidence.....

The wonderful folks of Out on Screen and Out in Schools.

Xtra! COVER #2

I LOVE WEDNESDAYS!!

My 2nd cover for Xtra! and I am so proud and honoured that it is the cast of Canada's 1st Lesbian Opera. Opening on August 5th at the Queer Arts Festival in Vancouver.

An evening with Cassie

I've been spending time with some amazing young folks lately, shooting unique GRAD portraits for their memory books.

Cassie's graduation outfit is bound with love and tradition. Her red button blanket was made by teenager Takeri Charlie of Chehalis, BC, who makes one blanket for each grad every year as her mother did before her.

Cassie's black gown is 65 years old and belonged to her grandmother who danced in it at the Commodore Ballroom. We had fun getting Cassie to twirl in that gown!!!

The exquisite white swan feather was beaded by Cassie, as well, she wore a cedar head piece she wove herself for her graduation ceremony.

When the Sun Comes Out

I never thought I would utter these words. I loved this Opera. I saw the workshop last summer at the Queer Arts Festival in Vancouver. Well, I had to see it. I was photographing it for them. Seriously, it was not what I expected. First of all, I developed an instant crush on the lead soprano. Secondly, the male role broke my heart. Like tears in my eyes and heart crushing compassion for his story, that kind of broke my heart.

This was the largest, longest and most elaborate photo shoot I've ever done and involved the collaborative efforts of 12 people to pull it off. It was so worth it. We created some awesome images for the Opera. The Georgia Straight, Xtra and the Courier all featured the images which had enormous impact in its promotion.

The Opera is so poignant today in a 2013 world where we can still be tortured and murdered for simply being who we are.

From the Queer Arts Festival website - "When the Sun Comes Out is the world premiere of Canada’s first lesbian opera, commissioned by QAF. This ground-breaking new work is written by composer Leslie Uyeda and poet Rachel Rose, and directed by James Fagan Tait.

A story of forbidden love, divided loyalties and culture clash, the opera explores the oppression that queers face, and the risks they take, in nations where homosexuality is illegal."

From left to right: Aaron Durand, Teiya Kasahara, Julia Morgan, and Leslie Uyeda (with baton).

Check out more of my LGBT portraiture at belleancell.com