Just another day at the office

I love my 'day job' at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts. I never know what the day will bring. Will I turn on the light in a dark classroom and be greeted by a horse headed mannequin? Will a sword yielding Ninja be lurking around a corner for me? It's never a dull moment around here, and just for the record, I didn't scream either of those times.

Part of my job description is to assist instructors during photography workshops or take behind the scenes photos. I can't believe I actually get paid to do this and last week it was with one of my favorite photographers and Instructors, Adam Blasberg. Here are my fav behind the scenes shots from the workshop Adam gave to our Advanced Lighting and Production students.

Trigger Warning: please don't proceed if you have a Clown Phobia.

Final Clown Image Photo Credit:

Adam Blasberg

Make-up Artist:

K

atrina Molson

for THEY Representation

Model: Georgie Daburas

Prairie Fairies Fowl Supper 2013

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.

Linda is welcomed into the Octogenarian club by longtime pals.

The Boomchix entertained and Kate Reid worked her magic.

Verna and her winning Jello Salad entry. Frightening really.

Mayor Gregor Robertson and City Councellor Andrea Reimer serving up dinner.

Park Board Commissioner Trevor Loke (middle) and Vision Vancouver team members.

Derek.....

will you.....

marry me?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Awesome hots Linda Fillmore and Barb Snelgrove. (that's a typo and I'm leaving it in)

The Mary Tyler Moore HAT TOSS!!

Just the Mayor of Vancouver singing her Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Linda Fillmore

Fyn's first photo shoot

Griffyn is a Welsh name that means 'strong lord'. He is a wise soul born in the month of Libra.

What a fortunate soul he is to be born into such a loving family and what a joy it was to capture these precious new moments for them.

Fyn's first photo shoot

 A photographer, a lighting assistant AND a stylist. This babe's got it going on.

Top 30 Under 30

My Freelance job at Xtra Vancouver permits me to meet such amazing people.
Case in point when Xtra hired me to shoot 7 of the 30 folks honoured in their 'Top 30 Under 30' List of B.C.'s brightest young Queer leaders. Meet the Top 7!!

#7 Carven Li

#6 Ander Gates

#5 Paige Frewer

#4: John Kuipers

#3: Melanie Matining

#2 Dave Deveau

#1: Justin Saint

Check out more of my LGBT portraiture at belleancell.com

I entered a photo contest and this happened...

This Project just keeps giving and giving. I entered four of my Primal He{Art} series images in a wee contest and received an Honourable Mention.

Queer as FUNK!!!

 I love it when a photography gig includes belly laughs, hugs, flirting, a slow dance with a handsome butch and the occasional nip from a flask.  Thank you Queer as Funk and Leadfoot.  

"Basks in the glory of Leadfoot" ~ Zena Sharman.

Primal He{Art}

The Primal He{Art} series was inspired from a photo project I was invited to participate in based out of Toronto called the 10x10 Photography Project. The ten year Project is in its third year and each year invites ten photographers to create ten portraits of individuals who have contributed to the LGBTQ arts in Canada. Those 100 portraits were showcased at a Gallery in Toronto in June and also published in a gorgeous photo book. I was also fortunate to have the Project accepted into Vancouver's Queer Arts Festival Curated Show in August.

My series honoured ten Vancouver artists and the primal heart connection they feel to their artistic expression. I invited my ten subjects to choose words that described what their artistic expression evoked for them. Those deeply intimate words were then spray painted onto their bodies by artist Carole Lagimodiere, and they were then photographed semi nude. I have experienced firsthand the vulnerability of sharing one’s art with the world and I felt that having them pose in the nude would help to illustrate that vulnerability. I also love how light and shadow can create texture, form and beauty when photographing the human body.

I endeavored to create an atmosphere of collaboration with my artists with poses and lighting that would suit their personalities and to some extent their gender expression. I took the duty that the 10x10 Project bestowed upon me very seriously as I wanted to honour these individuals by creating compelling and beautiful images for them. A lot of folks helped with this Project and I’m extremely proud of what we have all created together.

DJ Miss M, Monster DJ

Zoée Nuage, Photographer

David Robinson, Ceramic Artist

Mandy Randhawa, Event Producer

Eileen Kage, Taiko Drummer

Noam Gagnon, Choreographer/Dancer/Performer/Teacher

SD Holman, Photo-based Artist

Amber Dawn, Writer

Gwen Haworth, Filmmaker

Paige Fewer, Community Oganizer/Drag King