Meet Stephanie Bell | Filmmaker & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Bell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve prioritized my work life balance more than ever post 2020. I value my personal time and realize that if I don’t have the time to nourish myself then it will show through my work. I’ve created more balance by setting boundaries, not taking on more work than I can handle and being selective about the type of jobs that I accept as a freelance artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a photographer and filmmaker I capture Black women, Black livelihood and Black celebration at it’s finest and most authentic moments. I value representation for us by us that does not capitalize off of tragedy or spectacle but instead showcases diversity within Black culture in ways that will inspire, educate and uplift the community. I create with the intent to open doors of opportunity and inspiration for generations to come. I like to tell stories that are charming and intimate but also bold, powerful and relatable. What sets my work apart from others is that I direct with a cinematographers eye. I have clear vision of what a story or a scene looks like before anything else. As I work to hone in on my visual style I’ve found that I tend to lean into elements of warmth and intimacy as well as bold colors and camera movement.

It has not been an easy journey to get where I am today but I am proud of it. For a while I doubted if the film industry was for me because I was typically the only Black woman in all of my film classes and I was rejected from film school 3 times. I went into journalism school feeling like I had entered a whole new world that conflicted with my passion for filmmaking but in that time I learned how to tell authentic stories. I learned how to make a documentary and fell in love with storytelling all over again. Now I am a graduate student at USC (where I was rejected 3 times) pursuing an MFA in Film and TV Production.

I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. Even when we feel like things aren’t going the way we’ve planned, there’s a lesson to be learned and skills to acquire in every stage of our lives that make us greater in the end.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Fixins is one of my favorite restaurants at LA Live and Lucky Strike is a great place to go after dinner on a weekend in the same plaza.

Soulful of Noise always has great live music events that I recommend or visiting Leimert Park.

Point Dume in Malibu or Manhattan Beach are two of my go-to beaches.

For coffee, I love Sip n Sonder in Inglewood or one of the shops at The Row DTLA.

For a chill Sunday I recommend visiting a service at Oasis Church in Koreatwon and grabbing brunch at The Line Hotel across the street.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my friends and family! My parents have never forced me into a profession and allowed me to dream big. I doubt my mom and dad thought I’d ever become a professional wrestler or a pop star but they never told me I couldn’t. My friends have motivated me through the toughest times, provided resources and sisterhood. I am so proud to know so many inspiring, hardworking and successful women. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: www.stephbproductions.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/xostephbell

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebell1997

Image Credits
Summer Wigley