A Preston-born photographer who lives in New York City has launched an Etsy shop inspired by her hometown.

Lisa Bellamy’s aptly-named store Oreetcha offers calendars, cards, prints, cushions and tote bags featuring atmospheric images of Preston.

A lover of photography, Lisa is inspired by urban decay, reflections, architecture, graffiti and anything else discovered while wandering the streets.

Lisa’s family encouraged her creative side while she was growing up. She told Blog Preston: “After my nana and mum taught me how to sew as a kid, I started to make my own clothes, and then when I was 16 I studied fashion design at Wigan College.

“I went on to study photography, finishing with top grades and a student of the year award. Back then it was all film and dark room – I loved it.”

While Lisa used to live a stone’s throw from “her fave” The Harris, a trip to the USA at the age of 25 changed the course of her life.

“I got the chance to visit New York, and what a crazy and amazing city it was. I knew then that I wanted to live there and that is what I did.

“Since moving there, I’ve worked in retail as a visual merchandiser. I currently work at the flagship Crate and Barrel store on Broadway as the visual curator.”

Over the years, Lisa started to sell her images under the name This Is My View Photography.

“I’m forever taking photos of my surroundings and travels, even if just snapshots. My favourite photographers are British photojournalist Bill Brandt, and Ansel Adams, known for his black and white images of the American West.

“I’ve sold online, and at local art and frame shops, art festivals, makers markets and group art shows.

“I participate in the Hoboken Arts and Music festival yearly selling my photos and large scale canvas prints. I have done a lot of custom work for lobbies of buildings and also did a bit of photography and film work for a British TV series.”

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Now Lisa is looking closer to her hometown for future opportunities.

Lisa said: “I enjoy wandering the parks and streets when I come back to visit. I love the different styles of architecture and, now the city has allowed murals throughout, it gives it such a different vibe.

“It would be great to get some of my work into shops or on show somewhere and to be able to participate in makers markets in Preston over the next couple of years.”

To view Lisa’s photography and gifts, visit the Oreetcha shop on Etsy. The tote bags are also available to buy in Preston at Market Bottle Shop and Chain House Brewing Co and Taproom.

You can also follow Lisa on Instagram @thisismyviewphotography.

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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.