An Interview With:
Marina Nacamuli
Marina Nacamuli
The São Paulo-Based Photographer Detailing the Urban Experience.
Marina Nacamuli is a São Paulo-based photographer and filmmaker whose practice spans 35mm photography and video. Her work traverses fine art, fashion, and lifestyle, capturing the essence of contemporary urban life. After several years in Brooklyn, NY, Nacamuli returned to her native São Paulo, where she has delved deeply into the city's vibrant and diverse landscape.
Nacamuli’s photography is deeply personal and introspective, often blurring the lines between the artist and her subjects. Her self-portraits are not just images but narratives that explore her own experiences, emotions, and environments. This approach allows her to seamlessly integrate herself into the scenes she captures, offering a unique and intimate perspective on the lives and spaces she portrays.
Her work frequently focuses on themes related to women, street culture, and subcultures, approached with a sensitivity to the feelings of abandonment and introspection. Nacamuli’s role as a 'flâneur'—a contemplative observer and wanderer—enables her to form a profound connection with her surroundings. Her keen eye for detail and depth allows her to capture fleeting moments with a remarkable sense of empathy and insight.
In 2017, Nacamuli released her first photobook, "Roose," which is archived at the Instituto Moreira Salles. This work further solidifies her reputation for capturing the subtle nuances of personal and public spaces, reflecting her ongoing exploration of intimacy and urban experience through her art.
901: For those who haven’t been, how would you describe the experience of growing up in São Paulo? What unique aspects of the city influenced you?
Marina Nacamuli: Growing up in São Paulo was fun and I always loved my city. My father was Egyptian so I had the possibility of studying in an international school. Since a very young age I was surrounded by different cultures and people. It is a huge city, with more than 11 million people - there’s so much to see. Walking around São Paulo is very interesting as we have a lot of culture, art, colours, sounds and taste, all at once.
You’ve spent time in both New York and São Paulo. What are the key similarities and differences you’ve observed between these two vibrant cities?
Both New York and Sau Paulo are cosmopolitan, vibrant and alive, with things happening all day long. I would say the main difference is that in São Paulo (and Brazil) we have the greatest inequality. And that’s extremely hard to deal with daily.
Growing up I always had cameras with me. I would always be recording family trips and interviewing my friends. I think I always had a propensity to register memories and even write diaries. It’s crazy but I feel so lucky because I always knew one day I would work with a camera. It just took me a while to convince my parents, as they would be paying for my studies and were insecure of me following this path.
You’ve spoken about the themes of loneliness and abandonment being prevalent in your work. What draws you to these themes, and why do you find them compelling?
I believe these themes are compelling because in the end, every photo I take are self-portraits, they say things about me. I have the fear of abandonment and loneliness has always been present in my life.
Can you walk us through your creative process when starting a new project? How do you develop your ideas and bring them to life?
Sometimes an idea comes out of nowhere. Most of the time though, I walk. I like to walk for hours and I always try a different route. I’ve found that exercising and even walking my dog really inspires me as I see different things along the way and my mind bursts with clarity. I arrive home and I write it down, and the research begins.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography? Are there specific experiences, places, or people that significantly influence your work?
Instagram is an easy tool to find inspiration. And sometimes it just starts there. But one thing I really like to do (besides walking) is to go to a photography exhibit. It’s really inspiring to see a whole body of work, outside a screen, printed, framed, in different sizes and after the editing process. Books are also amazing.
Are there any other forms of media that particularly inspire your creative work. For instance, do you find yourself taking inspiration from music or film?
Films for sure, fiction, documentaries and music videos as well.
Since you’ve highlighted themes such as faith and love being noticeable throughout the photos you take, how do you capture and convey deep emotions and connections in your photographs?
I try to send messages through my images. But that’s not enough. People who are looking at the images have their own life experiences and because of that they might see different meanings in what they look at. I believe this is where emotions and connections lies.
You’ve collaborated with several big brands. How do you maintain your artistic integrity while meeting the demands of high-profile commercial projects?
I guess sometimes this can be hard and a bit frustrating. Most brands hire me because of the style I shoot. But sometimes, on set they change everything and go a different way. I always explain to them what I think about a certain idea, and if they still want to go that way, I shoot how they want and then I shoot it my way. They’ll have both options and most of the time they end up selecting the ones I did. I think that when a brand is too commercial, they can also be too closed off from different ideas, and they are afraid of taking risks. But once the results are there and they have all options, they eventually open up.
Photography has always been my secret weapon for most things in life. It’s the way I meet people I want to meet, and the way I experience things I want to experience. And I don’t think I ever had a bad experience with it.
One of the most rewarding ones was when I was shooting for my photobook “Roose” (2017). For one year I spent my nights at Roosevelt Square in downtown São Paulo and not only met various interesting people but I had the opportunity to shoot my first campaign because of it. In 2020, my father passed away and I went to the beginning of a personal project in Tepito, Mexico City about the Santa Muerte. This was completely eye opening for me and one of the best days of my life.
What advice would you give to emerging photographers trying to find their unique voice and place in the art world?
The first time I got paid from a job, my mom said that I should buy something for me that would last forever. I went to Adorama (a photography store in New York) looking for a camera. There I met a guy and he turned to me and said “Do you know what you have to do to take good photos?” I asked him what. He said, “Take a lot of photos, don’t stop”. It took me a while to understand what he meant but eventually it all made sense. The more you photograph, the more you understand what you are attracted to and what stories you want to tell. Find that and just go with it, independent of what other people have to say.
As we wrap up, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what the future holds for you as an artist. What are your hopes and aspirations for your artistic journey in the coming years? And what can your audience look forward to seeing from you next?
I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I would really really love to have a solo exhibition. I have a huge archive of photos that I would love to show. I’m also working on my next photobook. It’s a very long and slow process but I’m really excited.
Any last words or inspiring thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Take a photo, it’ll last longer.