Capture Those Precious Moments

As a mum I know that the moments that are the most precious are sometimes not the most obvious. They are not always the high days and holidays, the birthdays, parties, or the family get togethers. Those are all important times to capture and preserve photographically. But equally important are those quiet, close moments when you and your family can just be yourselves and celebrate that special bond between you. That's why I want to preserve those moments before you - so in years ahead, in times of hurried growing, learning and exploring you can remember a time when there was you and your small child enjoying a moment of peace and tranquility.

Maternity Shoot

I was honoured to be asked to do a maternity shoot for my friend Jacqui. I went on Tuesday to do a consultation on it, but she looked so good that I took some shots there and then.



She really was blooming and I got some beautiful head and shoulder shots as well as pregnancy ones. We are doing a further shoot next week with different clothes and a bit more bump on show!

Both she and her husband love the shots - I am overjoyed and and I can't wait to meet their new baby!

Breaking the Silence

Sorry, I have suddenly gone very quiet! This is due to a number of factors but mainly due to the hard disk on my laptop packing up - it has takn me a couple of weeks to get it fixed. Also I have been doing a commissioned portrait job - my first paid job - which has taken up most of the last fortnight. It has given me the idea of setting up a photography business so watch this space. I have also been doing some freelancing and have at least made favourable contact with a couple of magazines.

Tomorrow I am doing a consult for a maternity shoot for a friend. We will be doing the actual session on Friday. I am so looking forward to it - in the meantime I have been doing my research and I have stumbled upon the amazing Jennifer Loomis - the creator of outstandingly beautiful fine art maternity photography. Inspiring!

Jo

Taking awesome photos when you don't have an awesomely expensive camera...

Canal Steps BW (contrast adjusted)
Originally uploaded by Jo Belfield

Great article on Gadling.com by Karen Walrond about taking great photos without an expensive camera....

By far my most popular photo on Flickr (seen here) was taken on my first-ever trip out with my point-and-shoot.....

Jo

"Spy" Lens for Candid and Street Photography

I love candid photography. Far more than any that is posed. I love street photography for this reason. just catching those gorgeous moments an people in their natural environment being, well, themselves. As soon as you stop to ask people if you can take their photo or they spot a camera pointing at them then that naturalness is completely lost and the photo unobtainable. That is why I love this nifty gadget though I have yet to get one and try it out. I do think calling it a "spy" lens is really misleading. I have no intention of spying on people with it. It just makes you less obvious and the arty, beautifully composed, carefree shot / candid slightly less likely to be ruined by being observed!

Jo Belfield

20 Photographs & 20 Stories

20 Photographs & 20 Stories
Originally uploaded by eastofnorth

Katherine Elizabeth Lewis and Nik Perring have been collaborating on a compilation of 20 photographs and stories they'e inspired. The book is being sold to raise money for the Alzheimer's society and is to be launched at the Waterside Cafe, Bollington on Sunday May 24th, 7 pm, with authors doing readings, signed framed images for sale, and, of course, the book! The Alzheimer's Society will have a representative there with information about their activities. Canalside Radio is recording the readings, etc., to brobe adcast later. All profits from book and image sales are going to the Alzheimer's Society. More information at www.eastofnorth.com.

Share: Threading the Needle

Added to the Shutter Sisters One Word project: Share. This was a sharing experience - it is rare we have a ceilidh in the village (I think the last one was 4 years ago at the last festival!) It was an event tremendously enjoyed by the people that attended, we shared dancing, music, laughs and most of all a sense of Community which is what it's creator, the late Dr John Coope, wanted the Festival (and his other arts organisations in our little village) to foster.