Photographing life itself with Regina Lemaire Costa

Regina will share her series “White Outside, Red Within” at Pride In Art.

Regina "Reggie" Lemaire Costa (she/her) is a French Brazilian artist currently calling Calgary home. We connected with Reggie in advance of the Pride in Art event to learn about her creative process and how she treats her work like a diary of sorts.

Pride In Business: Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Regina Lemaire Costa: I'm drawn to artists who aren't obsessed with perfection and lean into the rawness of film photography, which has been my medium for 15 years. I love seeing movement, texture, and photos that tell a story right away. I like bold colours and rich black-and-whites, and the grain and quirks of film are just beautiful to me. If I had to name a photographer I admire, I'd say I've always loved Lina Scheynius. Her images read like a diary, which incidentally is also what my work is about.

PIB: Where do you find inspiration?

RLC: This will sound so cliché but I find my inspiration in life itself - my personal experiences are what guide my work. Photographing parts of my life is my way of capturing and processing my emotions and the world around me. With this particular series (White Outside, Red Within), it was about channeling my own journey and experiences into something tangible. It’s like a form of catharsis, taking what I’ve been through and putting it out there as a way to both process and share my story.

PIB: How do you define success as an artist?

RLC: I photograph primarily for myself as a way to process and express feelings, experiences, and perspectives that might otherwise stay hidden. My work truly is like my diary, but it's one I'm willing to share with the world. As long as I'm satisfied with the images I create, it doesn't matter if they gain worldwide recognition. I don’t always publish everything I shoot; some of it remains private and part of my own process and growth. If it resonates, evokes emotions, or sparks meaningful conversations, I feel like I've succeeded. I also feel successful when I know I've stayed true to myself.

PIB: How has your style changed over time?

RLC: While self-portraits have always been a part of my work, I've been integrating them more frequently. Living in a new country and navigating a whirlwind of new experiences and emotions, I've found that putting myself at the center of my work helps me process everything and tell my story in a deeply personal way. It’s also a new challenge for myself, being here alone and self-shooting on my own without any extra help. This shift allows me to explore my identity and place in the world, creating something that is both introspective and hopefully, relatable.

PIB: What have critics and collectors said about your work?

RLC: My biggest critics are my family and friends, likely because I rarely share my work publicly or submit it to public spaces. A lot of my photography has stayed private, especially since I’ve been off Instagram for the past year and a half, which used to be my primary platform for showcasing my work.

I occasionally refresh my portfolio on my website, but not as often as I would like. I have numerous boxes of negatives waiting for me back home in France, currently sitting in a storage unit.

People often say my photos evoke nostalgia, longing, and bittersweet feelings. My Brazilian roots (I’m French-Brazilian) may play a part in this. Brazil is the home of bossa nova and known for themes of longing, homesickness, nostalgia, love, and women. These elements naturally find their way into my work.

PIB: How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?

RLC: I've been photographing for about 15 years, but since photography has never been my main job, I can't say much about balancing it with other work. My approach isn't very disciplined - I don't often submit my work to institutions or plan out my creative process. I don’t follow a strict schedule and instead photograph when inspiration strikes or when I need to process my thoughts. For me, it's like journaling - I create when it feels right or when the “need” arises.

To experience Regina’s work and the work of other featured artists, get your tickets for the Pride In Art event on May 24, 2024, here.

If you want to see more of Regina’s work or to get in touch with her:

Website: reginalemairecosta.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meghan Huchkowsky
*PIB — Sponsorship & Membership Director*
Doodle Dogs
Instagram: @doodledogsyyc
Website: doodledogsboutique.com

Pride In Business article in partnership with TD.
By Meghan Huchkowsky

Photographing life itself with Regina Lemaire Costa

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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