Yearning for the return of what never will, the space filled with love when what you love is gone. Saudade is an emotion that is expressed across Brjánn Batista Bettencourt’s portfolio, articulated through his choices in light, colour and perspective to capture an innate sense of nostalgic longing. Since 2009
Brjánn’s work has sought to convey a sense of melancholy in longing, yet a sense of bliss in knowing that the feeling is the love that remains. Their duality of culture as a Portuguese-Canadian and coming of age experiences play a vital role as influencers in his bodies of work.
Brjánn has been recognized by the CBC for his work with analog film and appeared on the cover of the Spring edition of PhotoLife Magazine for his work with Kodak Ektachrome film. His tenure at Country Music Television as a staff photographer provided him opportunities to work with Shawn Mendes, Shania Twain, Dierks Bentley and other top artists in the music industry. He is currently a candidate for various artist grants for their ongoing documentary projects “Saudade” and “O fado da minha Avó”.
Brjánn’s curiosity has brought him to his native home of Portugal and the Azores, Amsterdam, the Baja California Sur, Brooklyn New York, Los Angeles, Malibu, across California, Spain and all across Canada. They’re currently living in Toronto, Canada working in the editorial, portrait and commercial spaces.
“My work is an eternal exploration of my own existence and personal geographies. I've subconsciously based all forms of my photography on the Portuguese term "saudade", an undefined and profound emotion that encompasses melancholy, nostalgia and a feeling of longing for those people and moments forgotten.
This emotional state has been a driving force behind my creativity and artistic pursuits since my teenage years. I hope to understand and unravel personal experiences and states of mind that provide me with insight and answers to why my art has pushed me to recapture the love and anguish that remains dormant in fragments of my past.“
Brjánn’s work has sought to convey a sense of melancholy in longing, yet a sense of bliss in knowing that the feeling is the love that remains. Their duality of culture as a Portuguese-Canadian and coming of age experiences play a vital role as influencers in his bodies of work.
Brjánn has been recognized by the CBC for his work with analog film and appeared on the cover of the Spring edition of PhotoLife Magazine for his work with Kodak Ektachrome film. His tenure at Country Music Television as a staff photographer provided him opportunities to work with Shawn Mendes, Shania Twain, Dierks Bentley and other top artists in the music industry. He is currently a candidate for various artist grants for their ongoing documentary projects “Saudade” and “O fado da minha Avó”.
Brjánn’s curiosity has brought him to his native home of Portugal and the Azores, Amsterdam, the Baja California Sur, Brooklyn New York, Los Angeles, Malibu, across California, Spain and all across Canada. They’re currently living in Toronto, Canada working in the editorial, portrait and commercial spaces.
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“My work is an eternal exploration of my own existence and personal geographies. I've subconsciously based all forms of my photography on the Portuguese term "saudade", an undefined and profound emotion that encompasses melancholy, nostalgia and a feeling of longing for those people and moments forgotten.
This emotional state has been a driving force behind my creativity and artistic pursuits since my teenage years. I hope to understand and unravel personal experiences and states of mind that provide me with insight and answers to why my art has pushed me to recapture the love and anguish that remains dormant in fragments of my past.“
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Select Client List:
Associated Press
Banana Republic
Buffalo Jeans
Canadian Press
CBC
Corus Entertainment
Country Music Television
Dine Alone Records
Fossil
Giro
The Globe and Mail
International Olympic Committee
MLS
NBA
NHL
Noisey
Republic Records
Ryerson University
Skylar Campbell Dance Collective
Spinmaster
Spotify
Team Canada
TIFF
The Toronto Star
Universal Music Group
University of Toronto
Urban Outfitters
VICE
Wax Records
Wonderland Magazine
Interviews & Articles:
PhotoLife Magazine (Cover Story)
Photo Solutions Magazine (Cover Story)
CBC
Finding Film - The Business of Photography
SparkFlame