AN INTERVIEW WITH BELLE MATTSON

BTCF: What was your inspiration for becoming a photographer?

BELLE: I began taking dance photos of my younger sister and her friends on my phone. I then received a camera and began taking photos for my dance studio. Everyone liked the photos and I enjoyed having another creative outlet that allowed me to share art with others.

BTCF: How do you come up with the compositions and locations for your photography shoots?

BELLE: The location is often up to the dancer I am taking pictures of, as I want the photos to be a collaboration and for them to be satisfied with them. I ask if they have any specific ideas for their photos and if they want them indoor or outside. If they don’t have a specific idea then I’ll give some suggestions. I come up with location ideas by looking for places nearby that would be a good background/setting for photos. These places usually have something visually interesting about them, without being too busy.

BTCF: As a dancer, do you ever feel like a choreographer setting different movements, poses, emotions, feelings, and other characteristics when capturing the photo you envision? Can you share what some of your process is when setting up shots?

BELLE: I would say sometimes. Maybe it can feel more like I am a director than a choreographer because I am often guiding the artist(s), versus planning their every step. I tend to guide the dancers through improv or creating different shapes when taking movement photos.

BTCF:  What is your favorite type of photography? 

BELLE: My favorite type of photography is movement photography. This is because it becomes a collaboration between the artist/subject and me.

BTCF: You shoot in both color and black and white, how does one speak to you versus the other?

BELLE: I love both color and black and white photos, and I enjoy taking both. In terms of dance and movement photography, I feel that color photos capture the subject; and since black and white photos make the background match the subject, they capture more of a feeling.

BTCF: What lighting do you look for when you shoot black and white and how is that different from shooting in color?

BELLE: When shooting in black and white I look for lighting that has contrast, both highlights and shadows. My favorite setting for these photos is window light. When shooting in color I still pay attention to where the light will fall on the subject and where shadows will be, but I focus more on how the subject will show and stand out against the background.

BTCF: You capture such amazing movement both when shooting live stage performances and still shots.  What do you look for when shooting live stage performances? 

BELLE: Thank you! I mostly look for the shapes created by the dancers. I think it also helps that I am a dancer, I know when the height of jumps will be and I know what steps will create what pictures. I also look for the emotions and expressions on the dancers’ faces. A big part of dance is telling and expressing a story, so I try to capture that in my photos.

BTCF: As a dancer, I would imagine there is a rhythm you feel when you take photos of these different bodies in motion.  Can you share a little bit about that and how you encounter the moments?

BELLE: When taking movement pictures, I get to watch the dancers move and it feels like they are letting me in and sharing their passion with me. Being a dancer myself, it is a shared love for dance and it is such a special moment of connection.

BTCF: BTCF uses all forms of art as healing tools, how is photography healing to you and what do you hope your viewers feel through your work?

BELLE: For me, photography is another creative outlet that allows me to connect and share with others. I enjoy connecting with other artists and trying to encapsulate their beauty, personality, and energy in photos. That is probably my favorite part of photography. I hope that viewers can see what I see in the artists I work with and that the art we create together is the art that inspires others.

BTCF: Many people struggle with having a positive body image, what is the most important thing you try to share through your photography when it comes to body image?

BELLE: The most important thing that I try to share through my photography, when it comes to body image, is that there is beauty in everyone. I feel that when struggling with body image it is really easy to compare yourself to others, and not see beauty in yourself. It makes me really happy when people who don’t usually like photos of themselves, like the photos that I take of them. When artists see the beauty that I see in them and try to capture that, it is an incredible feeling.

BTCF: You attend the prestigious Point Park University, what are your favorite things about going to school there and what are your goals for the future?

BELLE: My favorite thing about going to school at Point Park University is all the amazing artists around me. I am constantly inspired by the dancers and faculty members that I interact with each day. Everyone is so unique, creative, and talented and I always find myself in awe of the people I get to dance with.

My goals for the future are to graduate from Point Park University with a B.F.A. in Dance and then venture into the commercial dance industry. Performing on cruise ships, in music videos, television and film, and on tour with artists are all things that interest and excite me. I would also like to explore choreographing and hope to have the opportunity to share my love and passion for dance with others.

BTCF: Favorite song?

BELLE: I don’t know! There are too many! So, I guess any song that I can dance to.

BTCF: Favorite photographer?

BELLE: Hannah Mayfield and Bridgette McNairy

BTCF: Pasta or Tacos?

BELLE: Pasta, but gluten-free because I have a gluten intolerance.

BTCF: Social Media can be tough for youth to navigate, what are three things that you would share with your younger self?

BELLE:

• Don’t compare yourself to others, everyone is on their own journey through life, and that is okay.
• Social Media is often a curated version of people’s lives, you don’t see everything, so don’t get stuck on your life not being “perfect like theirs is”.
• You have nothing to prove, only to share.

BTCF: Who are the people that inspire you and why?

BELLE: My mom because she is the most thoughtful, caring, and supportive human I know, Deena Bryan because she is so creative, uplifting, and strong, Lilly Bryan because she is a light in the lives of everyone around her, Irelynn Bryan because she is strong and unapologetically herself, Jason McDole because he is caring, intentional, and extremely passionate, all the dancers at Point Park because they are so insanely talented, and of course my illuminaTe Dance & Arts Center family because they are some of the most amazing artists and people.

BTCF: If you could share 3 tips to youth who are interested in photography, what would they be?

BELLE:

• You don’t need a fancy camera to do photography. You can even use your phone, that’s how I started.
• Not every photograph has to be groundbreaking; capture the things that you find interesting or beautiful, whether that be people, art, nature, etc.
• You have your own unique perspective on the world, so share it!

Thank you Belle! We look forward to seeing you soar!