The Return of Vintage Hollywood Horror with Beatriz 'BEACASSO' Valim

Picking up a medium format film camera just weeks after starting film photography, fashion and portrait photographer Beatriz 'BEACASSO' Valim isn't afraid to challenge her creative journey. In this series, she combines her love of 90's fashion with old Hollywood horror to produce an eerie yet elegant and eyecatching collection of photos. We talked with Beatriz about her inspirations and process with this project, as well as how she found using Lomography Redscale XR 50-200.

Welcome to the online magazine, Beatriz! Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Hey there! My name is Beatriz ‘BEACASSO’ Valim and I’m a fashion and portrait photographer, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and raised in Los Angeles, California.

What got you interested in film photography?

I began my film photography journey in December of 2020. I got myself my very first 35mm film camera, the Canon AE-1 Program. Making the digital to film transition was quite difficult for me since I was so used to looking at a photograph right when I took it. A few weeks later, I got myself a medium format film camera, the Mamiya RB67. Transitioning from 35mm to 120 was a big jump for me, but I felt ready. Shooting on 120 film has made me more of a conscious photographer since I only have 10 frames to tell a story, rather than 36 frames on 35mm film. Slowing down and thinking before pressing the shutter has led me to create some of the best photos I have ever taken, even those I have taken on a digital camera.

Can you tell us the inspiration and story behind this photoshoot?

For this photoshoot, I was inspired by 90s fashion and vintage horror films. I wanted to create a creepy feeling to these images yet a high fashion feel as well, paying homage to my favorite fashion designer Alexander McQueen. His runway shows, which were greatly known for being extravagant and dark, and I wanted to emulate that feeling.

How would you describe your experience with our Lomography Redscale XR 50 - 200 film?

I absolutely loved working with this film. It was so interesting to see the final outcome. I shot Lomography Redscale XR at 200 speed and I got different tones of red and red-orange that I absolutely love!

We love the effects you added to the photos, including heavy vignetting and light glares. How do they contribute to the goal of this shoot?

The heavy vignetting and light glares brought in that vintage old Hollywood horror feeling that I was looking for in this photoshoot. I wanted to create a very eerie and mysterious feeling with these effects making the viewer more engaged with these images.

Would you say these photos represent your aesthetic? How would you describe your style in your own words?

Absolutely! I am always trying new things in my photography, whether it may be trying new light techniques, different shooting angles, and color. I would describe my photography style to be colorful, bold, and experimental. I love taking risks when it comes to my work.

How do you communicate with your models to make them comfortable?

I try to make my models feel like they’re having a photoshoot with one of their best friends. Making them laugh and playing some of their favorite music during the photoshoot will definitely make them feel super comfortable.

Besides film photography, how else do you spend your time?

Besides photography, I like to spend time watching movies and listening to music. These two things are my source of inspiration when it comes time to create a new photoshoot concept.

Finally, what can we expect next from Beatriz Valim?

What’s next for me will probably be shooting a lot of short fashion films to accompany all of my creative fashion photography projects. I have recently purchased a Super 8 video camera and have fallen in love with this new medium. I cannot wait to see where this will take me.

To see more of Beatriz's work, follow her on Instagram and Twitter, and visit her website.

written by kaylalew on 2021-08-14 #people #medium-format #lomography #film-photography #redscale-xr-50-200 #beatriz-valim