Capturing Life Through a Lens: An Exclusive Interview with Marta Hewson
Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places, and today, we’re thrilled to chat with Marta, whose journey through the art of photography is proof that passion knows no bounds. With a zest for adventure and a heart for capturing the extraordinary in the everyday, she has become a beacon of creativity. Let’s dive into the stories that fuel her artistic vision.
Here are some of her answers when I interviewed her:
1) Can you please describe a brief background about yourself as a photographer? I was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal and made the move to Ontario to take Photography at Sheridan College. For the 2 years following college, I had the privilege of assisting one of Toronto’s best fashion photographers, Chris Nicholls (look him up, he’s amazing), and freelancing for a handful of other talented advertising photographers. I’ve now been shooting for over 25 years and I’m still excited to go to work everyday.
2) Can you please list an overview of your work and achievements? In my 25+ years in the industry, I’ve focused on many genres of photography, and always end up back on what I love most —fashion and portraiture. I love photographing people, but I’m not a a believer that a photograph should tell the truth… I love staging photoshoots, and creating something that is not always reality. For me, it’s all about the process of creating and image from scratch. I am the opposite of a photojournalist; I don’t photograph what I see, I photograph what I didn’t see. As for my achievements… I don’t really like to talk about myself that way. I guess having an exhibition and being published in magazines are definitely wins, but I think that question is subjective, what’s important to me, might be inconsequential to someone else.
3) What inspired you to become a photographer? At 14, I discovered photography magazines, such as French Photo, Life, and Rolling Stone, and it forever changed the way I saw everything. I couldn’t get enough of looking at the iconic portraits and fashion photographs by legends like Albert Watson, Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts, Sally Mann, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Man Ray, etc… I was hooked. And I wanted to learn how to do what they do. At 15, my parents gave me a Nikon Camera for my Birthday, and the rest is history.
4) Did you have early influences or mentors in photography? Oh Yes!! So many… Besides the ones that I already mentioned in the last question, there is one that is my very favourite —Paolo Roversi. His images fascinate me. I love that he doesn’t follow any of the technical rules. His photos are blurry and dreamy, the styling is unrealistic, the lighting is other-wordly… and because of it, they are amazing. Look him up. You won’t regret it. As for new and young photographers, that I’m really loving today, there is Elizaveta Prodovina, and Rafael Pavarotti. However, I think you can tell by their style, that they were both influenced by Paolo Roversi… and that’s probably why I like their work.
5) Are there specific subjects or themes you gravitate toward? Why? People. Fashion. Art. I love seeing people in photographs… But I like it to be interesting, not just a ‘pretty portrait’. I like an emotional image, and I want it to tell a story, and to have some mystery. But not emotional like when you see a war photograph; that is too real for me, and too sad. I gravitate towards photographs that are over the top and not set in reality.
6) What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a photographer? Business and marketing have been a challenge for me. I just want to shoot all the time and forget the rest. I know that I can’t run a business that way, but that was a life lesson I learned very late in my career.
7) What camera and gear do you currently use, and why? I use a Fuji GFX100s, which is a media format camera. It’s not a fast camera and it’s a little glitchy sometimes, but the image quality and the latitude are amazing. And I love that it’s the digital camera that feels most like film. But honestly, give me anything that can record an image, and I’m happy to play!!
8) Have you exhibited your work? If so, what was that experience like? Yes I have exhibited through a gallery as a solo artist, and some group shows. But not often. I do love to see photographs printed, there’s just so much more impact in a large print. Seeing my work up on a wall is a nice feeling. And when everyone comes out to your show and the room is packed is also a very nice feeling. I would definitely do more shows in the future. As far as exhibiting NOT through a gallery, I put on an exhibition yearly for all the Portrait clients I photograph in a given year and I print and hang the best image from their shoot. I invite all those clients to come to a wine and cheese gallery opening, and I feature their photo. These have been very successful.
9) What advice would you give to aspiring photographers looking to make a career out of it? Always always respect your clients and treat them like gold. Put in your 10,000 hours of practice, and always keep learning. Niche your style. Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re service is worth. If someone says No, so what? Someone else will say Yes. Realize that “mistakes” are actually lessons.
10) Can you share a quote or mantra that inspires you in your work? "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ~Maya Angelou “Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad… while they are deciding, make even more art. “ ~Andy Warhol "Photography is not about technical perfection; it’s about feeling, about a connection between the photographer and the subject.” ~Paolo Roversi "The secret of photography is to create a mystery, not to reveal everything.” ~Paolo Roversi
Marta Hewson Photography
@martahewson
P: +1 905-389-5836
Located In The Cotton Factory:7 Landsdowne Ave. #277 Hamilton ON L8L 6N3
"Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places, and today, we’re thrilled to chat with [Photographer's Name], whose journey through the art of photography is proof that passion knows no bounds. With a zest for adventure and a heart for capturing the extraordinary in the everyday, [he/she/they] has become a beacon of creativity. Let’s dive into the stories that fuel [his/her/their] artistic vision."
