Becca Lemire is a local photographer whose work has appeared in Shedoesthecity, VICE, FASHION Magazine, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Life. I sat down with her in her home to chat about mysticism, what it’s like being a Cancer and getting in touch with your inner self!
What sparked your interest into mysticism?
I’ve always been really into nature and I think so much of mysticism is connected to nature, which has its own magical powers. Just as a woman, there’s so much interesting stuff to learn by getting more into it, understanding more about the moon cycles. There are things about it that really help me.
How do you feel about Tarot?
Getting tarot readings has always been such a powerful experience, such a strong experience for me. I’ve done them on myself too, and the readings are so powerful.
Do you have a deck that you really like?
Not yet, but I have a few books on it, and I’ve been reading about it and other stuff like Wicca, and the moon phases and everything that’s connected to that stuff. So I’m really interested in it and learning more about it.
Now that it is becoming more normalized, I’ve been able to work it into my life in casual little ways that have been great. Not everyone has to become super obsessed for it to be this thing that helps them out. Now that I’ve learned more about the history of things, what it actually means and how it has so much to do with nature and being in touch with our bodies and our intuition, I am learning more about the wisdom of it. I hope that more women can embrace this because I think it could do a lot of good, including for myself too.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
Any sort of movement. Yoga is a big thing that I’ve been doing for a long time and really helps me ground myself to calm down and stay focused on what I want to do that day or week. Movement, exercise, being outside, going for hikes and walks are things that I try and do as much as I can. And I love taking baths in putting stuff in my baths! Like different salts, essential oils, coconut oil, etc.
Let’s chat about your Moon and Ascendant signs! You’ve got a Cancer Ascendant and a Taurus Moon. You’re V Cancer.
Lol.. yeah, I’m V Cancer. When I was a kid and started to get interested in astrology from reading horoscope in the back of Now Magazine, it was always so interesting. Anytime I’d read anything about Cancers, I was just like, ‘Wow this is exactly like me.’ My horoscopes always seemed to be really spot on. I can be really sensitive and have a lot of feels, and it’s something I’ve been working on shaping and harnessing my whole life. It can feel like a curse or a blessing. I find it so meditative to decorate my space and I get inspired by reflecting the mood I’m in. All of my apartments have looked so different.
How did you get into photography?
I’ve always been a creative person and into the visual arts, so I think it naturally became a hobby. I’ve had other jobs in the past on the side, but I love the satisfaction of capturing cool moments in time. There’s just so much to photograph!
What was your first camera?
A Polaroid!
What is your favourite camera?
The Canon 5D Mark ii. I also love the Fuji Instax – it’s really fun for PhotoBooths!
How do you want people to feel when you take their photo?
Sometimes I imagine the kind of photos I could get if I could make myself invisible. Haven’t figured that out scientifically yet, ha. If I’m doing a candid shot, I try to do it as quickly as possible and then walk away! If I’m doing a portrait or creative branding shoot, I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
How would you describe your personal style?
For my whole life, I’ve loved shopping at thrift stores. I really love sparkle, glitter and metallics. I’m really into pinks and blues, the 60’s, the 90’s. I really love pin up fashion, leopard print and red lipstick. Feminine, funky, and a little mismatched so that I don’t look so coordinated. Unexpected! I try not to think about what other people are wearing or what’s trendy, I try to just wear whatever I feel like and it’s sort of an outlet for creative expression. Buying fun stuff and putting it together in a weird way.
Follow Becca on Instagram here!
