Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy New Year by Montreal Portrait Photographer Hera Bell

Another year has gone by.
Life is full of simple pleasures to treasure and share.
This was the breakfast I made this morning. The last breakfast of the year 2016. Cell phone snap.


Then my client who is an art collector just sent me these shots of his beautiful place. Such a wonderful gift to see of my limited edition brushed metal print at his home. 



I had a sucessfull solo exhibit which was well attended. By such dignitaries as Quebec Minister Martin Coiteux and Federal Government mp Mr. Francis Scarpalagia. I thank Gilles Desjardins  taking the event's gala photos. Here are few samples.





The exhibit was well received and listed among Montreal Tourism Event's.  Which attracted a lot of tourists visiting the town.





And we just booked our next year's  trip. It will be Sicily. Looking  forward exploring the island with my husband.



To everyone I wish a happy healthy prosperous New Year.
Make a wish blow a kiss towards the sky where the stars are at midnight.


Please note that the above animated gif is not mine.

On to another note. Check the descriptive personality graph below. Which type are you? If you are into making new years resolutions it is worth to self analyse yourself. You are the only person responsible of your life and success.


Sunday, October 2, 2016

H2O CANADA Montreal Portrait Photographer Hera Bells Upcoming November 2016 Photography Exhibit

H2O CANADA   
 A Photographic Collection of Canadian Waterscapes by Hera Bell


 It is still.  It rages.  It ebbs and flows.  It trickles gently; it roars.  It meanders, yet with purposeful objective.  It quenches, cleanses, and refreshes.  It is an essential life force within us and around us.  Water.
  Welcome to Hera Bell's H2O Canada, a photographic journey of our country's water sources in various forms, captured through the lens of a photographer critically acclaimed for her edgy, erotic imagery.

 In her third exhibit at the Centaur Theatre's Ted T. Katz Family Trust Gallery, Bell conveys the majesty of our waters with breathtaking splendour.  In signature Hera Bell style, the images in this display are luscious and sensual, seductive, as if they depict a luxury not essential to life, the farthest notion from the truth.
  It is no secret that our waters are dissipating through pollution and climate change, being coveted and stolen through corporate greed. With an increasing human population, it is a commodity that we must turn our respectful attention towards.  Simply stated, our survival depends on it.



The exhibit is also listed at Tourism Montreal. NOVEMBER  Art Event's list.






Sunday, January 10, 2016

A Special Glamour Make Over Session With The Italian Actress Playright Michaela Di Cesare by Montreal Portrait Photographer Hera Bell

 
My photography has been a journey for each of my subjects.
A moment of reflection in our chaotic life and finding that stillness within.
 





Michaela Di Cesare  will open her play In Search of Mrs. Pirandello  at Centaur Theatre's WildSide Festival 2016. There will be only 5 performances. Go and see. You will not regret.

I first met beautiful talented Miki September 16 2013 for a special photo project with Montreal Italian actors and comedians. And yes I call her by that name, just because I can...

Here are some results from that session...




 Yes this was our first connection together.

We stayed in touch. Often we run into each other at plays. Shared a glass of wine and discussed theatre.

Then I got a message from her in February 2015 wanting to book with me a glamour make over session for their upcoming wedding anniversary. Due to busy schedules we ended up doing our session in April 2015. The session was going to become a birthday gift to her hubby.

We discussed the art direction only between emails. Her and her husband love to travel. She wanted me to represent during our session the countries they have traveled. A very tall order for me.

This is what I received from her:

" Hi Hera,

I think it's about time I sent you all the destinations/themes I would like to try to capture. I'm just going to write down words and images that come to mind

Where we've been
Cuba: a dark cave with bats
New York: williamsburg, cafes, broadway, art, spotlight
Turkey: mosque, harem, Sanli Urfa, Capadoccia, magic, 1001 Nights, scarves, lights
Mexico: Baja California, Hotel California, Water,
West Coast St Lucia: Caribbean, coconuts, mango, paradise, salt
Rome: eternal, spanish steps, trevi fountain
Sicily: limes, heat, ruins, lazy, sensual, yellow and green Thailand: gold, buddha, richness, turquoise, beauty

Where we're going He is dreaming of Africa...Madagascar...but also many other places so this could be ambiguous. Or maybe with a globe?

And maybe one image that represents home? That could be a nice romantic idea.."

I was getting a bit nervous. April 8th 2015 quickly arrived. I told to myself, go with what she brought as dresses, props and take it from there.

Here are some results from that day. We both had fun creating these images. I did her make-up, hair, styled each shot what she had brought and what I had in the studio. The backgrounds are all my own travel photography.

She loved the experience. She has now caught the bug of getting photographed by me.. That makes me very happy.

THAILAND

24 karat gold leaves...
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
TURKEY
 
Memoires from a harem... Boots are from Turkey. Embroidered leather. Many more beautiful shots with the boots, but they will stay private.
 
 
 
CUBA
 
The nightmare with the bats at the hotel room.
 
 
 
ROME
 

 
 
SIENNA
 
 
 
FRANCE Paris
 
At The Opera House
 


MIKI THE TRAVELER



 
 
MIKI THE PRINCESS
 
 



MIKI THE TALENTED ITALIAN BEAUTY
 
The wife, the lover
 
 

Today I will see her play at Centaur theatre. It is the opening... I wish her all the best.
 


Saturday, January 2, 2016

Romantic In Venice Our Gondola Ride by Montreal Glamour Portrait Photographer Hera Bell

After spending a two weeks in Venice, walking almost its every tiny streets, watching millions of tourists in gondolas, and photographing them (me off course), we finally decided to take our own gondola ride two days before our departure date.
 
Our decision was to take it from the spot that every day we had a Campari spritz. The place was next to our apt. We chose to do the half and hour tour, in tiny canals and end the trip back to the grand canal. Price was 100 Euros. Worth... every penny of it. I actually preferred spending it on a Gondola ride then few our restaurant bills which coasted more then that.

We absolutely wanted the ride during dusk, sun set time. Exactly 8.30 pm we started the ride. Our driver was great. He was doing this job since he was 18 years old. Over 35 years. He spoke only at the right times. It was uber romantic time for both of us. Quite, relaxing zen like.

Here are two photos of what I mean that I captured during our ride.

PS: On a funny note. During the ride, at a spot, a man with Quebec accent shouted at us. "Arete, arĂȘte un peu" He wanted to take our photo. I asked him "etes-vous from Quebec?" he answered "Oui, de St Lazarre"... What a small world.
 

 
 
 
  
 Our Gondola Ride Audiovisual on Youtube filmed with Samsung Galaxy S6

just click to the link above to watch the AV.

 

Friday, January 1, 2016

The Butcher A Centaur Theatre 2015 Play by Montreal Portrait Photographer Hera Bell


Least year I was commissioned by Montreal's Centaur Theatre to photograph and create their entire season's visuals.

The photos have been circulating in the entire media.

I just discovered this Montreal Gazette article about the play. Just follow the link.


 
 
And here are some of the other shots snapped  by me for this particular play.