Martina Matencio - Contemporary Nostalgia Photographer

8 Nov

Martina’s work finds a beautiful balance between delicate and striking. She brings the same energy to her commercial shoots, portraiture work & the capturing of her everyday life. Barcelona based photographer Martina Matencio chats to us about the personal and nostalgic nature of her photography.

How did you discover photography?

I discovered it on a trip I took with my family to Cuba when I was 16 years old. It was a before and after in photography, I found it incredible to take that memory with me for the rest of my life in images. I met beautiful people who inspired me a lot. Unfortunately, I shot with an analog camera about 4 reels but as I did not know how to use it, no picture came out, all the photos were badly exposed. A great sadness.

How would you define your work?

Sincere, real, intimate and latent. My work is a mirror of what Martina feels inside.

How do you express yourself in your work?

I don't need to think a lot or have anything prepared, when I take pictures I am able to empty myself, sometimes I have the feeling of carrying a heavy weight that hurts me and when I photograph I am able to empty myself.

Your work has a certain nostalgic but also contemporary feeling, how do you achieve this?

Being a contemporary nostalgic :)

What excites you most about a shoot?

I'm excited to feel that I'm going to take all the pictures I want and feel at that moment. I'm excited to see how photography never ends, I'm excited to be surprised, I'm excited to be thrilled.

What is your current go to techniques and/or technology?

Honestly I'm not much into technology, I try to adapt to new things but I'm more of those who believe that the important thing is not to have a good camera but a good eye.

Do you utilize both film & digital?

Yes, I use both, I like analog more and that's what I usually work with, but only since 3 years ago, before I always used digital, but I'm in love with analog and I can't let it go, the results are too good.

How do you balance creating art for yourself versus art for clients?

Good question. I always try to make time to do my personal projects, I think if I didn't do that I wouldn't be able to live. Or else, in every client shooting I try to take my photo, the photo I want.

How do you define success?

Feeling that you are on the way.