Brazilian photographer Gabi Lima explains why love and personal authenticity are vital to how they capture the world around them.
There aren’t enough words to express the grave importance of locals, wherever they may be, sharing the reality of life as they see it. Photographs captured by someone who lives and breathes a culture simply offer a level of truth and insight that can’t be achieved by someone just passing through. It’s up to locals to share exactly how a place—their place—intertwines with and shapes the everyday lives of the people who call it home.
Gabriel Lopez Lima’s images do exactly that—showcase what life is like in Brazil. More specifically, what the black, LGBTQ+ community life is like. Growing up in Brazil, Lima has always been surrounded by culture, and it’s something that plays a vital role in their life.
“Being in such a cultural place has always been a great part of my work,” says Lima.
And, through photography, and supported by Shutterstock’s Create Fund, they share that culture with the world.
Shutterstock: Hi, Gabi! Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What was life like before photography? What kept you busy?
Gabi Lima: I grew up in Salvador, Bahia, here in Brazil. I started photographing in 2018, fresh out of high school. I’m a Capricorn, so I have always had a lot of jobs in my life.
Right now, I have two main jobs—photography is one of those jobs, but I’m also an English teacher.
SSTK: How did your relationship with photography begin? When did you know it was something you wanted to pursue?
Lima: I was Tumblr obsessed. I kept posting things all day long, reblogging stuff. That got me into photography. And when I realized, “I have a real talent!”—that was a total game-changer.
SSTK: We love your collection, “LOVE, from Brazil.” Can you tell us more about it?
Lima: Brazil is pure culture, bleaching our hair for special occasions is a big part of “Favela Culture” here, so I’ve always wanted to showcase this to the world. Being in such a cultural place, it has always been a great part of my work. Especially the constitution of me as an artist.
I would say that I love to capture the Black beauty. The beauty inside Black people here in Brazil. The beauty inside Black history and the beauty of our community—us, Black people, as a culture and as a community.
SSTK: What would you say makes a good photo?
Lima: I think a good photo is a photo that makes you feel something. That speaks to your emotions. That can connect with you on a deeper level.
For me, a good photo is a photo that makes me feel something. Makes me feel emotional, even sad. That makes me feel some type of way.
SSTK: What does your process look like when photographing?
Lima: I like to call it a creative mess, like an organized one, but a mess in shape and form. Most of the time, I start with an inspiration, and then it develops, and then I just go all the way with that inspiration.
But I really like to plan things ahead, so I set a date, a model, a concept. Then I set specific aesthetics, if needed. I’ve never tried to just go outside and try to shoot something, but I think I’ll definitely try it in the future.
License this image via gabllima x2 x3 x4.
SSTK: What types of gear do you own? And, what’s your go-to gear and why?
Lima: I own a Canon t6i + 18mm-55mm and 24 mm. I love to photograph with anything that’s possible, even with a phone, but t6i + 24mm, it’s my favorite combo.
SSTK: How do you edit photos? As in, what are your principles when editing, if any?
Lima: I’m a Lightroom performer, as I like to call it. I’ve had “eras” where my preferences completely changed, but Lightroom is my go-to. But sometimes, I may get a little bit lazy.
We have a saying here in Brazil—casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau—which means sometimes, you can get lazy with your own profession. So sometimes, I just edit lightly on my phone.
SSTK: Who or what inspires you to continue your craft?
Lima: Love. I love what I do. I’m a queer person, I’m a non-binary person, and a Black person, as well. I live in those two spaces, and I exist in those two spaces together. So, for me, those two parts of my life have always been the foundation of my work.
I love to represent the Black culture, but I love to represent the LGBT culture—the black LGBT culture here in Salvador, as well.
License this image via gabllima x2 x3.
SSTK: What would you say to photographers who are losing touch with their inspiration or experiencing creative block?
Lima: Don’t lose yourself. Art is not easy, especially if it comes from a minority group. I’m a black LGBTQIAP+ person living in a not-wealthy neighborhood in Latin America. Art hasn’t been easy, but it has to take place in true love.
SSTK: Let’s talk a bit about The Create Fund. How has it impacted you?
Lima: Oh, wow—it changed my life forever. It changed my life in so many ways, I don’t think I can count. It got me my first exhibition, my work can now be seen by everyone around the world.
My work reached some points I wasn’t expecting it to reach. I’ve been photographing for the last six years, and Shutterstock got me to a whole new level.
SSTK: And how did that feel, seeing all these things unfold?
Lima: Oh my gosh, it feels like magic. It feels almost unreal to me.
I’m really proud of my country, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes it’s hard to work and establish an art career here in Brazil, and Shutterstock really helped me. I was in a Latin exhibition in New York, and I could only dream about it before.
SSTK: As a photographer, where do you want to go from here?
Lima: I’ve never traveled abroad, so I would love to travel for photography. Especially if it’s fashion-related. I also want to do a Valentine’s shoot. A different approach to Valentine’s Day, because Valentine’s here in Brazil is at a different time of the year than in the United States, so I want to work on that.
I also want to do a carnival shoot because Salvador is, like, the city of carnivals. Those two are my big plans for now.
License this cover image via gabllima.
Recently viewed
${excerpt}