Meet Photographer Belinda J. Clements

A resident of Dorchester, Ontario, Belinda J. Clements, owner and proprietor of Belinda J. Clements Photography, specializes in live music, festivals, and sports.

The Beat Magazine 2009 recently interviewed Belinda about her career. What follows is an edited Q&A.

Question & Answer Profile Belinda J. Clements Photography

Q What’s your background as a photographer?

I am self-taught and work part-time as a photographer. Making memories, capturing that moment in time forever. Creating something beautiful. These are just a few of the reasons I’m a photographer.

Q What inspired you to become a photographer?

It’s a passion I’ve had since I held my first 110 Kodak Instamatic camera when I was twelve years old. When I was fifteen, a house fire took all our family photos. I cherish pictures and the memories they evoke.

Q What types of photo shoots are your specialty?

I enjoy nature photography, but I primarily photograph events and do some family photos. My specialties include live music, festivals, and sports. I have also done some promotional shoots for local bands. In the past, I have photographed and written for several event-type newspapers supporting local happenings. I have had many opportunities to meet and photograph lots of talented headliners and local artists, but promoting local will always be important to me.

Q Could you identify some of the events you have photographed?

Recently, I photographed the Dorchester PetFest. I’m the festival’s photographer and this was the second year it’s been held, with plans for it to happen again next July. I’ve been photographing the two-day Brantford Music Festival, now named CallHome Music Festival, since it began in 2015. I’ve also photographed medieval fairs, baseball, rodeos, Special Olympics events, car shows, and car and motorcycle races. I’ve been hired to photograph several company conventions and mud runs.

Q Your Facebook page states that you have photographed many musicians and bands. Could you expand on that?

Over the years, some of the bands that I’ve photographed and had some interaction with at concerts are Honeymoon Suite, Our Lady Peace, Collective Soul, The Trews, Kim Mitchell, Walk Off The Earth, Junkhouse, and USS. I’ve also photographed Billy Talent, The Beaches, The Headstones, Monster Truck, and Glorious Sons. 

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to photograph and support many local musicians as well. I’ve snapped pics of Greg Williams, Mad Moxxis, Prism Tape Philosophy, Graham Bédard, Anne Moniz, The Marrieds, Brother Leeds, Kristen Renee, Aaron Allen, and Sarah Smith. My photos have been liked by many and have been shared on the artists’ pages too; It is always nice to get positive feedback. I would love to have more opportunities to support the music industry and especially local music through my lens.

Q Are there any other photo shoots that stand out in your career?

I’ve been honoured to do some other exciting shoots with my cameras, including an NHL Alumni Game, a CTV television production “Bake Sale Showdown” with host Reta Ismail, a few comedy shows including one with Corner Gas star Brent Butt, who I was lucky enough to chat with when the crew gathered with him at a nearby pub. I was also hired to photograph a band (that is no longer) at a well-known recording studio. I was invited to London, England, and spent a week photographing in Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios. 

Q Do you have any future photo shoots you would like our readers to know about?

On August 23rd, I will be among the photographers at Good For The Soll, Ingersoll’s music Festival. For the second consecutive year, I will also be photographing the three-day music event East Park’s Fairway Fest in London, September 18-20.

Q Is there anything else The Beat Magazine 2009 readers should know about Belinda J. Clements Photography?

Photography is my passion. If you have an event or anything else you’d like me to photograph, I’d love to chat with you.

News about and samples of Belinda’s work can be viewed on her Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/belindajclementsphotography/?

To book a photo shoot, contact Belinda at anditsagoodthing@rogers.com