Willow Belle
About
Willow Belle (b. 1998) is an American artist based in Los Angeles whose practice lives at the boundary between analog photography and fine art. While navigating permanence in subject, material, and technique, she finds herself reaching for outlandish means of creation, often working directly off parts of herself — physically and conceptually — whether that be her own hair, her memories, or the residue of experiences that refuse to be left behind. Working with unconventional methods and matter, she relinquishes control to the unorthodox, allowing light and chemistry to become her collaborators. Throughout themes of nostalgia, identity, loss, and isolation, her work appears untethered to physical existence, yet manifests from the tangible. By incorporating alternative printing techniques and unreliable methods of manipulation, each photograph functions as a kind of thin veil, draped over something deeper—secrets suspended in emulsion, waiting to be lifted. By pushing the boundaries of her body and her medium, she lets go of the expectations of what a photograph is supposed to be.
Scheduled to Teach
Gallery
LACP Interviews Willow Belle
LACP asks Willow Belle ten questions about their background, career in and beliefs about photography.
Los Angeles Center of Photography: What kind of photographer are you?
Willow Belle: I’m a film photographer and interdisciplinary artist. I also work as a creative director, teacher, and occasional art handler.
LACP: How long have you been photographing?
WB: Ever since I was a little girl. I was in a photography club in elementary school where I won a little “1st Place” blue ribbon. I then started collecting antique cameras in middle school which sparked my curiosity about film photography. And then in high school, I took my very first darkroom class. I could be found on the quad taking pictures of friends with my vintage Land cameras using FP100c film (RIP). However, I only started pursuing photography as a career in 2020.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
WB: Other than my freshman darkroom class, I am mostly self-taught. I remember dropping out of my digital class in high school, determined to shoot only film. I’ve taken a few alternative printing workshops, but tend to research and experiment independently for both my shooting and printing methods.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
WB: Photography has been a hobby of mine from the start. The fulfillment of my passion was always an arm’s length away, but I never kept a grasp on it until fairly recently in 2025. Now, unable to let it go, I feel completely devoted to expressing my art through photography, constantly challenging myself to find new ways to dissect a still image and tell my story.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
WB: For sure. I took a long break from shooting back in 2021 after my suitcase was stolen on my first flight to New York. Fortunately, I didn’t lose any of my gear, but unfortunately, I was headed there to style on top of shooting for a magazine, and my collection of archival runway pieces were now gone. The loss took a hit to my motivation, leading me to step away from my involvement in the industry. At that time I also began questioning my photography, as most of my portfolio consisted of commercial work. I lost the drive to shoot. It wasn’t until I started shooting for myself again, that the inspiration to create came back. Now I prioritize my personal work over commercial.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
WB: By being only a film photographer? My wallet, lol. But I have definitely sacrificed my social life nowadays. It’s incredibly hard for me to find balance between work and play. Especially since I wear many hats in the creative field. And as someone with roots in fine art, I tend to isolate, giving in to the “struggling, lone artist” trope. There have been times when I’ve lost my own sense of reality and enjoyment outside of work, but thank god for the people around me and their patience in getting me out of the house.
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
WB: I’ve gained a sense of identity and confidence. It took me yeeears to “allow” myself the label of an artist. But by continuously pushing myself to complete projects, series, and works, I finally saw what I was capable of. And now that the foundation is built, I keep going. I also feel that the work I’ve created has helped me better understand myself, my thoughts, and my emotions. I’ve processed trauma, grief, and my mental health through photography and art. My sense of sight is also better, and not solely for images. I can see emotions, stories, and worlds in the most bland subjects. I’ve learned how to build thoughts out of pictures, instead of taking pictures of thoughts (if that makes any sense). Art just teaches us how to see better. It shows us how to slow down and observe the fold of an ordinary window curtain, or to stop and take in the flickering light of a street lamp.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
WB: I teach Polaroid Emulsion Lift classes. This is the process of removing the thin layer of photographic emulsion in a polaroid, and transferring it to a new surface. I use this technique in my own work, and the possibilities are limitless. It is a form of Polaroid manipulation, shifting the idea that a picture is solely photographic into something more painterly. In my classes, we also do a deep dive into the history of Polaroid and the chemistry of instant photography.
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
WB: I actually used to be a children’s art teacher before pursuing photography full-time, so running workshops now feels like it’s come full circle. I think my favorite part of teaching is seeing how differently everyone applies what they have learned to their own work beyond just the technique. Almost everyone leaves my workshops saying “I can’t wait to try this with __!”. It’s always so awesome when students reach out afterwards with their questions or results.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
WB: Shoot for yourself, embrace the mistakes, let go of expectations, and learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Never pass up an opportunity given to you, 99.9% of the time it leads to more. Put yourself out there with confidence, even if you don’t have an ounce of it yet. The more you show your work, the more you and others will believe in it.