A passion for photography: Artist spotlight on Beatriz Ribeiro

By Kristen Botas, Contributing Writer

Art is the best way to express our internal thoughts to show the world. It can show a person’s confidence. Art is the only form of expression that can never be taken away from society.

We often hear of famous artists such as Picasso, The Beatles, Marc Jacobs, and Peter Pereira but do we rarely hear of local artists.

Junior photography major, and local artist, Beatriz Ribeiro highlights her expression and confidence of her takes on the world though her art.

Ribeiro, A New Bedford native, specializes in photography of landscapes, portraits and events, such as weddings. She also enjoys painting, drawing,traveling, fitness, singing, and competes in the Miss. America pageants to showcase her talents.

With a recent win with the “Committee Award” and the “ Lifestyle & Physical Fitness in Swimsuit Award” during the Miss. New Bedford pageant on October 1, 2016, Ribeiro will be once again competing at the Miss. Middleboro/Miss. Lakeville pageant on March 26, 2017 with the hopes to win the pageant to inspire others to stay fit and creative through photography.

What does this artist hope to inspire? Well, it’s simple. “I want to raise awareness on different causes such as low poverty areas like Haiti or Honduras.”

Ribeiro lives by the platform of “Stay Strong, Live Long,” as said in her platform for her Miss. New Bedford pageant.

“I can’t picture myself doing anything else. Something that was a hobby became a passion,” Ribeiro said, when speaking about her passion through the use of photography.

With a career ambition in photography and business, and has hopes to “One day work for National Geographic, which sounds unrealistic, but is a dream of mine. My other ambition of mine is to own my own studio,” said Ribeiro.

“Ilha do Pico, Azores,” is a favorite taken by the artist herself, expresses her “sense of home” and hopes to encourage others to take the journey to travel and visit the island of Pico, Azores.

“The island itself is so beautiful that there is no need to edit the photos taken of the landscape. Every time I go back (which is usually in the summer), its like I never left.” said Ribeiro about her artwork.

The artist’s spark of interest in photography started at a relatively young age.

“It all started during my sophomore year of high school. I went to a vocational high school and one of my teachers inspired me to go into photography.”

The process of taking “the perfect photo” can be a struggle as it is, even if you’re just taking a “selfie” to post on social media to show friends and family.

There seems to always be the issue of finding the perfect lighting, best angle or best background.

Photographers have shown to always find a way to achieve the perfect photo and to take something that is so plain and turn it into something that looks so magical. It’s like they were born with special powers.

With no photography officially published currently, but other works of art, such as one of her ceramic piece, pertaining to the topic of body image issues, and other pieces are showcased in the CVPA Star store in downtown New Bedford, the artist would “love to broadcast her work more to the public.”

To contact Beatriz Ribeiro about her artwork or to request a private photo session of an event or a portrait feel free contact her through her Facebook, Instagram, or Vsco page.

Local artists may come and go but their work will live on forever.