THE IN BETWEEN MOMENTS

Words by Ashley Ferguson Photos supplied by Cybelle Jones

Reservoir based photographer Cybelle Jones spoke to us about her journey from the immaculate world of posed newborn photography to capturing the in-between moments that make up documentary style photography.

When seven-year-old Cybelle got her first camera she would take it along with her everywhere. School excursions would benefit from her fine eye. Her doll her first model. Her backyard her first landscape. She studied photography in school but a true passion for taking photos came from travelling the world. Camping spots would be carefully selected around the landscape photos that could be taken. And then she birthed her own muses, her son and daughter. Special family moments were captured on a ‘fancy pants’ digital camera and a love for family photography was born.

At the time photographer Kelly Brown was well known for posing dozing, curled-up newborns in baskets. Cybelle started out doing posed shoots under her business name Cybelle Jones Photography. Despite this type of photography being ‘on trend’, Cybelle reflected on the ‘awkwardness’ of posing a newborn. It felt unnatural to her. Doing this work however, she discovered the beauty of the ‘in between moments’. The moments of getting the baby ready, the snuggling, the feeding, these were the moments Cybelle wanted to capture.

As the vision for her photography business became clearer, Cybelle looked to documentary style photographers such as Kirsten Lewis and Rowena Meadows for inspiration. She sold all the extensive equipment that was required for the posed shoots and started showing up to client’s homes with a single camera. She follows clients around wherever they may be, often around the home, often doing the ‘everyday’ activities. Cybelle describes seeing a ‘clear version of life’ through her lens and ‘manipulating the focus’ so that you can zone in on the unexpected and perhaps previously unseen. Cybelle provides her clients with a unique and potentially confronting viewpoint. With documentary style photography ‘you get to see yourself in a really honest way’. Cybelle’s work aims to celebrate all the flaws and challenge perfectionism.

Perhaps inspired by Cybelle’s family projector nights with footage provided by her father on his super-8 video camera, Cybelle has learnt how to create family films at the Filming Life Academy in Sydney. Creating films of her son and daughter growing up, preserving their mannerism, their voice and their interactions as they walk through life together is a priceless gift that Cybelle is proud to give them.

When Cybelle isn’t working she is enjoying the ease of the Rezza lifestyle. Cybelle has lived in East Reservoir for 11 years and it is where her family has grown. She enjoys being able to walk to transport, the kid’s school and to shops. With all of this, Cybelle says she is lucky to have the Darebin Creek very close by. The Creek is a special place for family walks and bike rides. It is also home to her family’s favourite tree that must remain anonymous.