Vonalina Cake — The Everyday

My name is Von, I’ve lived in Bristol since 1992 and I’ve lived a lot of lives since then.

I’ve always taken an interest in photography as an art but never as a discipline I could do, not until digital came along and made it possible. I never had the courage or know how before. I’ve been photographing performers, dancers, parties and events for around a decade. I started at my local pub when my friend asked me to snap the burlesque show she arranged there, and that was my clumsy start. Since then I’ve been shooting various events.

My biggest has been Pride. For the last three years I’ve captured the main stage through the day and then on to the after party to try to catch some of the performances, DJ’s and party goers. I do seem to have found myself smack bang in the middle of the LGBTQ community, and it’s a place where I feel very comfortable. I’ve a great many friends who work within this field as DJ’s, events organisers, performers and dancers, and I’ve made a lot more along the way.

I think one of the things people like about my work is that I don’t do those stock club shots with all the swirling lights and pretty people giving the V sign. I prefer to take a more voyeuristic approach and catch all the little moments that go on. And when it comes to performers I really like the challenge of capturing the essence of the show. One of the benefits of being female in some of these environments is that there’s a sense of trust between me and the people I work with, particularly the dancers. But one has to earn one’s place! I work hard to get to know people and try to get what they want while expanding my knowledge, technique and style.

I’m excited about sharing my work on a platform with so many like minded people. I always appreciate feedback support and even possibly links to work. This can go both ways of course. I hope to make more of what I do and it’s difficult on your own. I’m so looking forward to finding out more about what people do and how and where. I enjoy the company of creative people, sharing knowledge and knowhow and boosting each other up.

I’ve chosen ten shots that I hope show the broad variety of what I do and what I enjoy doing most. Some of them might not be pin sharp quality but they all to me capture something of the event.

Alfie Ordinary and Lydia L’Scabies as Andy Warhol and Edie Segwick

Photography and Words by Vonalina Cake