MPB x Boys by Girls: Interview with Regine David

Photographer and casting director Regine David is one of the winners of our search with Boys by Girls magazine to find the next top women visual storytellers. Described by Out magazine as “both voyeuristic and vulnerable”, Regine has worked for iconic brands including Calvin Klein, Esquire and Assembly New York. Read on to learn more about Regine’s creative background and advice for aspiring photographers.

MPB: Could you tell us more about yourself?

RD: I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. It’s a tropical country, with a lot of sun and never-ending humidity, which is funny given my love for cold weather. I left home at 19 to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I graduated with a BA in Fine Art Photography. Since then, I have found myself living in Hong Kong, France, New York and eventually Tokyo.

In my work, I like to primarily focus on the intimacy and honesty of human connection. I find myself photographing the male form and the nuances of masculinity from a female perspective. I also enjoy photographing my friends and the queer community as a means to document our experiences. I find that when we can’t find narratives similar to ours, it's in our best interests to create that narrative in the visual field so that it could be more accessible to everybody.

MPB: The shoot you completed was following a brief of ‘freedom’. Could you tell us more about the body of work you completed for the project?

RD: At the moment, the Philippines is still in a form of lockdown. While the world is slowly experiencing a resurgence of gatherings, communities and physical connections, some parts of the world are still unable to join in. We have restrictions on movement, a lack of access to vaccines and healthcare, and rampant political misinformation. That said, I want to highlight how we can still find 'tiny bubbles' of freedom in an environment that isn't entirely 'free'.

MPB: Could you talk us through the kit you chose with your prize and why you chose them? How did the kit enhance your work?

RD: Being in a pandemic made me rethink the way I documented my life. Sometimes I find that having something compact and easy to use allows me to focus on memory-making, instead of setting up my heavy camera equipment. With that in mind, I chose the Ricoh GR III, the Sony RX100 Mark IV, and the MPB Midnight camera neck strap for ease of accessibility without compromising quality.

I’ve been a long-time fan of the Ricoh GR series, I’ve always appreciated how it makes shooting feel very intimate. It’s a quiet, quick, and nondescript camera, which allows me to focus more on my interactions without drawing too much attention to myself. I’m somehow able to make people feel a lot more comfortable without feeling self-conscious. I can speak the same for the Sony RX100 Mark IV, with the added bonus of having spectacular video capabilities to accompany my work.

MPB: Part of the prize was a mentorship with Elizabeth Weinberg.  How was the experience of working with Elizabeth? What were the parts of her advice you felt helped you the most?

RD: Elizabeth is amazing! She was extremely helpful in helping me structure the right logistical approach for my shoot, which can be difficult given the circumstances. I really admire her ability to produce amazing work, even with limited access to production, which is how we planned our direction for this shoot. At the end of the day, it’s about being able to communicate your intent to your audience even with simplicity.

MPB: What are the biggest inspirations for your work?

RD: Human connection, authenticity and a little bit of fantasy!

MPB: What advice would you have for aspiring photographers?

RD: It’s always best to understand your core and intent. Understand what is meaningful to you as a person and as an artist, as this will help you form your visual language. Get obsessive! Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, experimenting and getting excited about other people’s work, and standing your ground. Make mood boards. Use yourself as your own reference. Support your friends.

MPB: Do you have any other projects you are working on at the moment you would like to tell us about? What are your plans for the future?

RD: Earlier this year I produced an interactive risograph photo book with Bad Student Press, which we hope to restock in 2022. And there may be more photo books, zines, and gallery shows to come in the future—fingers crossed.

Thanks, Regine.