Debby Besford

A 20 year project about my (late) parents and there everyday lives

Shortlisted Finalist of AOP Open Awards 2015

Portrait of Brothers and Skaters - LensCulture Highly Commended

Rolling project ,about my family and remapping childhood memories.

This is Ellen who I have photographed for the past 5 years in her home. She has evolved into a very confident skater - but has suffered from Chronic fatique that has meant she has to take a rest from her sport which she loves. This project stems from my own experiences as a competitive Artistic Roller Skater, when I was a teenager. My objective is to create a platform for these young talented female skater’s who are dedicated to this often forgotten sport. This five year project explores in-depth the athleticism and emotional challenges of each skater and how it has empowered and shaped them into becoming champion figure skaters. These portraits are part of a much larger body of work that involves 7 female skaters in total.

This Is Savannah who I have photographed for the past 5 years in her home and in mid air, titled, 'The Jump'. This project stems from my own experiences as a competitive Artistic Roller Skater, when I was a teenager. My objective is to create a platform for these young talented female skater’s who are dedicated to this often forgotten sport. This five year project explores in-depth the athleticism and emotional challenges of each skater and how it has empowered and shaped them into becoming champion figure skaters. These portraits are part of a much larger body of work that involves 7 female skaters in total.

This is Amber who I have photographed for the past 5 years in her home and in mid air, titled, 'The Jump'. This project stems from my own experiences as a competitive Artistic Roller Skater, when I was a teenager. My objective is to create a platform for these young talented female skater’s who are dedicated to this often forgotten sport. This five year project explores in-depth the athleticism and emotional challenges of each skater and how it has empowered and shaped them into becoming champion figure skaters. These portraits are part of a much larger body of work that involves 7 female skaters in total.

This is Molly who I have photographed for the past 5 years in her home and in mid air, titled, 'The Jump'. This project stems from my own experiences as a competitive Artistic Roller Skater, when I was a teenager. My objective is to create a platform for these young talented female skater’s who are dedicated to this often forgotten sport. This five year project explores in-depth the athleticism and emotional challenges of each skater and how it has empowered and shaped them into becoming champion figure skaters. These portraits are part of a much larger body of work that involves 7 female skaters in total.

This is Dulcie who I have photographed for the past 5 years in her home and in mid air, titled, 'The Jump'. This project stems from my own experiences as a competitive Artistic Roller Skater, when I was a teenager. My objective is to create a platform for these young talented female skater’s who are dedicated to this often forgotten sport. This five year project explores in-depth the athleticism and emotional challenges of each skater and how it has empowered and shaped them into becoming champion figure skaters. These portraits are part of a much larger body of work that involves 7 female skaters in total.

Molly, Skater, 2019. The jump happens in seconds with the speed of the skater travelling fast across the rink. Concentration, balance, energy, momentum, decision making, timing and great courage and skill is required before leaving the ground beneath them, and gracefully rotate two or more times in the air, before landing.

Savannah, Skater, 2019. The jump happens in seconds with the speed of the skater travelling fast across the rink. Concentration, balance, energy, momentum, decision making, timing and great courage and skill is required before leaving the ground beneath them, and gracefully rotate two or more times in the air, before landing.

Megan, Skater. 2019. The jump happens in seconds with the speed of the skater travelling fast across the rink. Concentration, balance, energy, momentum, decision making, timing and great courage and skill is required before leaving the ground beneath them, and gracefully rotate two or more times in the air, before landing. The moment of being in mid air is a feeling of euphoria and excitement. It is liberating, skillful, being brave, and strong.

Debby Besford

Debby Besford is an established Documentary photographer, and Mentor who lives in Norfolk and works throughout the UK.

Her work showcases a rich and diverse portfolio of images specialising in, Editorial, and Documentary photography.

Her most recent work has been funded by the Arts Council England, titled, The Art of Roller Skating, A celebration of Great Yarmouth’s Skating Heritage, exhibited at PRIMEYARC Gallery, Great Yarmouth. Debby’s work has recently been selected for The Museum of Youth Culture, Collections and online shop. Highlighting, Mods and Break-dancers, Elvis impersonators and Music festivals. Other projects include, ‘209 Women’, Palace of Westminster and the Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool.

Debby’s work has been showcased for Photomonth and was represented by Shutterhub in Amsterdam and the Festival Pil’ Ours, St Gille Croix de Vie, France. Awards include, Finalist in the AOP Awards and LensCulture and Magnum Photography Awards, Honourable mention.

Clients include, The Arts Council of Great Britain, The Guardian and Independent Newspapers, The Wellcome Trust, Meridian Television, BBC and Channel Four, Getty images, Millennium Images and Plain Picture Library.

 

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