In Focus: Nostalgia and Saudade

My first-ever lens was the SIGMA 35mm Art Lens. At the time, it was all I could afford, but it’s remained a sentimental and practical staple in my kit. Through countless campaigns and editorials, it has allowed me to see and capture the world as I envision it. SIGMA’s newest Canon RF Mount F1.4 Prime lenses make high-quality photography accessible to everyone, and as a single mother who carved a second career in this field, I would recommend this series to anyone looking to start their career as a professional photographer. These lenses are a game-changer!

To many, photography is a fleeting moment – a brief, still snapshot. Yet to me, it’s something more kinetic, something alive and breathing, constantly in motion. It’s like painting a dream, weaving memories into light and shadow. Growing up dyslexic, I often struggled to express myself, but photography gave me a language beyond words – one that captures the essence of life. It’s not just the model or the location; it’s the atmosphere, the sensation of the air, and the spirit of the person in front of the lens that tells the true story.

Photography is also an escape for me, and my journey began with online courses and tutorials, focusing initially on technical aspects. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the story mattered more than the mechanics, which is where SIGMA’s lenses have become indispensable to my craft. The latest lenses for Canon RF Mount, particularly with an aperture opening to F1.4, allows me to capture stunning images even in low light. Using available light that naturally occurs in a space can add a sense of honesty to the story, and SIGMA’s lenses make that exploration effortless.

The editorial styled photoshoot I’m sharing with you today embodies this union of fashion and identity. Fashion, to me, is more than just self-expression – it is the mirror of our generation's feelings and values. Each garment tells a story of the times in which we live. The way we dress reflects the shifting tides of culture and society, and this shoot allowed me to explore these concepts through the lens of SIGMA's newest tools.

Unlike film, still photography lacks the benefit of dialogue or music to set the tone, so the location and clothes take on an even greater role in storytelling. To help convey this story, I collaborated with some dear friends. Our model Joan embodies the modern woman – complex, confident, sensual. She is both elegant and rebellious, a captivating enigma, much like the women of today. Styled by Sasha, an extraordinary fashion stylist, Joan’s looks draw inspiration from Fall/Winter 2024 trends – a fusion of Ferragamo, Jil Sander and my eternal dream client, YSL. Additionally, I chose Miraki Life Studio in Toronto’s west end as our location because it’s hard industrial textures and artistic vibe create a stark contrast to the wardrobe. I wanted to take viewers back to the nostalgia of the loud, larger than life, 1980’s New York/ Studio 54 culture.

This is how I work with my clients. I treat each campaign like building a brand, uncovering the personal stories and aspirations of its ideal audience. In my personal work, however, I explore the raw, unfiltered stories of my own life. From the isolation of being an outsider to the heartache of a painful divorce, I share my experiences through fictional characters, finding beauty in the bittersweetness of life’s hardest moments. Nostalgia – saudade – holds a special power, and in its longing, I find the deepest meaning.

“Saudade” is a uniquely Brazilian expression which means “a nostalgic longing to be near again to something or someone that is distant, or that has been loved and then lost; ‘the love that remains.’” I cannot think of a more beautiful and romantic description of the term “memory,” and this is what I seek to capture with my photography. I want my work to feel like a memory, and the original seed of my inspiration is the book “Kate” by Mario Sorrenti, a “saudade” book, if you will, that is shot in the style I most appreciate life: a little blurry; slightly drunk; black and white.

Since I shoot exclusively with prime lenses, the lightweight design of SIGMA’s APS-C lenses offered me the freedom to move fluidly during shots, swapping them with ease. My approach is unembellished – no heavy retouching; just the truth as seen through my lens. The raw images captured when shooting with these new lenses produced depth I can only compare to a van Gogh painting, deftly marrying rich textures and soulful moods.

Whether in the controlled environment of a studio or in the spontaneity of natural light, I focus on what’s real, what’s honest. I prefer my images to resemble how I see life – a little blurred, a little imperfect, like a black-and-white dream: surreal, yet achingly beautiful.