AI-generated illustration of a quaint French courtyard in the evening, companion image for the Bastille Day 2025 article, IJM Photography

Back to Hell’s Belz

Welcome to Back to Hell’s Belz — a heartfelt tale of family, hearing aids, and last-minute rescues in coastal Brittany. Amid apéros, fireworks, and a faulty plan, our narrator navigates familial chaos with humor and warmth. From deafness to shrimps and Kir, it’s a story of love, resilience, and the joy of being gloriously imperfect together.

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AI-generated hero illustration for the Bastille Day 2025 article on French national holiday traditions and family lunches, IJM Photography

Bastille Day 2025

Join us for Bastille Day 2025 as we explore the history, traditions, and chaos of France’s national holiday. From the storming of the Bastille to modern-day fireworks, family lunches, and infamous French road rage, this post blends history, humour, and heart in a uniquely Anglo-French summer tale.

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Lourdes 2025

There are places where the air feels different — where time slows and grace moves quietly among the crowds. Lourdes is one of those places. This is the story of my pilgrimage there with my son Killian, and the moment that changed us both — a quiet encounter, a listening heart, and a whisper from God.

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The Pyrenees Mountains – and the Pont d’Espagne which isn’t in Spain

This article follows a deeply personal journey through the Pyrenees Mountains to the Pont d’Espagne — a place in France often mistaken for being in Spain. It’s not just a travelogue, but a reflection on fatherhood, healing, and connection. Along the way, there’s ice cream, photography, winding roads, and moments of quiet understanding between a father and son.

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Lourdes 2025: A Father–Son Farewell Tour

Before his big move, Killian invites his dad on one final journey—a return to Lourdes. This warm and honest travel memoir explores father-son bonds, quiet faith, and letting go. Set against the landscapes of southwest France, it’s the first in a three-part series capturing a farewell, and a beginning.

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Through the Lens of Love: Reframing Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18

Can a sonnet written 400 years ago still speak to us today?
In this reflective piece, I explore Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 through the lens of photography, love, and memory — weaving personal experience with poetic interpretation. This isn’t just about words on a page; it’s about what lingers when light fades.

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The Opening of the Film Archives – March 2017 with Kate in the Vines

Discover the magic of capturing everyday moments in this heartfelt journey through the archives with the Canon AE1. Join me and my daughter Kate on a nostalgic walk through the vines, exploring how familiar scenes transform into timeless treasures through photography. Reflect on seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

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Opening of the Film Archives, Château de Clisson, February 2017

In this entry from the Film Archives series, I revisit a visit to the Chateau de Clisson in February 2017, documenting the experience with my Canon AE1. Explore memories captured in time, the nostalgic process of film development, and a playful moment with my daughter. A journey through history.

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The Opening of the Film Archives – Trentemoult October 2016

Explore the timeless beauty of Trentemoult through black and white film photography as a father reflects on capturing moments with his daughter. This nostalgic photo essay delves into family bonds, the art of composition, and the fleeting nature of time. Perfect for fans of photography and personal storytelling.

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The Opening of the Film Archives: An October Saturday in Town with Killian, 2016

Discover black-and-white street photography from October 2016 in Nantes, featuring the Praktica MTL3 and HP5 Plus film. This article highlights ‘Ian and Killian days,’ capturing intimate father-son moments and the raw texture of film. Explore the charm of analogue photography and the beauty of imperfections.

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The Opening of the Film Archives: On va Marcher sur la Lune

Explore On va Marcher sur la Lune, a nostalgic journey through October 2016, where vintage cameras and cherished family moments meet. Relive a day spent with a Canon AE-1 and Olympus Trip 35, capturing timeless memories near Nantes’ iconic Grue Titan and Elephant. A sentimental adventure in photography and urban renewal.

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