Meet Babi Bertoldi – Your new favourite photographer

By Clementine Mills

I met Babi on the set of an indie web series; she was Assistant Director – arguably the most stressful role on a shoot –  but I was immediately struck by her total chill and positivity (and her enviable collection of high-waisted trousers). Over tea breaks and lens changes we got to know each-other a little; Babi told me, beaming, that she had just officialised her De facto partnership with her long-term girlfriend and art-school sweetheart, and added casually that she liked to take pictures sometimes.

Well, modest doesn’t even cut it. Her talent for photography evidently extends well beyond a casual hobby – her natural dexterity behind the camera rings through each of her powerful shots. They present a dangerous sensuality – an irreverent, uncensored celebration of femininity and a visual boldness reminiscent of Francesca Woodman’s unprecedented self portraits.

Fascinated by my new friend, I sat down with Babi to learn a little more about her and her art.

Do you remember the first photo you ever took?

Yes, I was about 10 years old and it was Christmas, I had just got a plastic film camera as a gift, I remember photographing my brother and I accidentally double exposure two photos or three shots on top. It was hectic.

Modern nudity is more often than not hyper sexualised and commodified- we see it in excess these days, through pornography, advertising and prototype Hollywood flicks where the hot white dude gets the hot white chick but there’s a discreet, romantic classicism to your treatment of nudity. What drew you to shooting nudes?

I think as I was transitioning from teenager to adult I slowly became more and more passionate about the female feature, at that time I had read books written in the last century and seen several paintings relating women to something divine and goddess. That was my first step in exploring the beauty without sexualising the body.

Who are the women in your photos?

They are my beautiful friends

You’ve had a pretty nomadic life – can you tell us about where you’ve lived and what brought you to Sydney?

When I was 17 I moved to Denmark as a Rotary exchange student, little I knew that – the country, the culture and the friends I made would change the course of my life.

There I met the most inspiring people, including my girlfriend, Millie. After that we lived together for 5-6 months in Brazil and short after we moved to Italy, Florence.

Millie is originally from Sydney so we decided to move here and see what life has prepared for main course.

What do you make of the gay scene in Sydney? How does it compare to Brazil and Italy?

It’s quite amazing, the acceptance between everyone on the streets is something that I wish Brazil could copy and paste. Although there are heaps of gay people in Brazil, the country is still very conservative. Italy is also quite conservative for an European standard.

And politically?

Here is what I really don’t understand about Australia. The people and the government don’t seem to be compatible. Most of the people in Sydney are quite forward and the government, regarding the LGBQT matter, is so backwards.

Now Brazil politically speaking is a big problem because it is still a very religious country. It unfortunately ‘’blinds’’ people and politicians from understanding and protecting queer kids and families.

You’re De facto with your Aussie love; it’s this type of union that many politicians have been pushing as a pretence of equality – they say the legalities and benefits are exactly the same as a marriage, the only difference is the wording. Will the passing of the marriage equality bill still have an impact on you?

The passing of the bill will have a great impact not only on me but every Australian family. The recognition of this matter would mean more acceptance between all.

Can you tell us about your new photography project with your hometown pal Rafaela Camilo, “The Girl”?

I have incredible friends and guess I had this spark to create a series on their uniqueness – what they represents, the way they dress, the way they set their room, what they do with their lives. I guess it’s like ‘taking a ride on that girl’s life boat’. You can check it out here.

As well as your still shots you’ve done some killer film work too – La Giostra is beautiful! What’s the story behind it?

Thank you! La Giostra is the story of two girls. One of them is mentally unstable but together they overcome the problem. It’s about supporting one another and allowing yourself to fall in love.

Do you have a dream film project?

Traveling to Sweden, staying in a summerhouse during the summer season shooting a black and white movie.

That does sound like a dream. And how do you feel about queer representation on screen?

It’s very important to represent the diversity of people on screen such as we see it in real life. We are all so different from one another, therefore to portray this in films means to bring an approach and acceptance to everyone who would be watching it.

Totally! Do you feel like that diversity is currently being achieved in modern cinema?

Yes, I definitely think that modern cinema is embracing diversity. Heaps of award winning films and scripts are about the diversities in people and that’s what makes them so brilliant.

Have there been any standout films you’ve seen that accurately portray queer life?

Yes, all films by Xavier Dolan are spot on. ”Blue is the warmest colour” and ”I, you, he, she” by Chantal Akerman are quite similar, both explore the human sexual life of all kinds.

What’s next for you?

I am hoping to develop good contacts here in Australia. I am really keen to start shooting soon so I guess if there are any creatives out there wanting to work on independent film projects, just drop me a line – let’s talk.

You can like Babi’s Facebook page here.
And follow her on Instagram here.