Member Spotlight: Martina, Portugal

“If fear is the only reason holding me back, I push myself to do it anyway…”
Product Image By Martina
© Martina

Originally from the Czech Republic, Martina now lives in Portugal where she runs her own photography business. Having spent years working in corporate environments in London, the birth of Martina’s first child motivated her to follow her heart and create a photography business that allows her to work more flexibly and independently.

Her story reveals the bravery, passion and determination of young creatives and business owners who are at the start of their careers in the visual arts. These are the students of our craft who are not only growing into brilliant photographers but also learning how to grow in confidence, trust their instincts and juggle the needs of clients, family, business, and their own well-being.

Visit Martina's Portfolio & Instagram

Describe yourself as a creative…

‘Growing up, I never had a chance to experiment with photography due to the cost of cameras and film. The change came with digital cameras; a filmmaker and photographer friend let me use his professional camera, sparking my interest in framing and composition. It wasn't until I was expecting my first child that I bought a proper camera to capture beautiful pictures of her. When she was about two, I realized how much I enjoyed photography and decided to leave my corporate career behind. I started my photography business about a year and a half ago.’
Product Image By Martina
© Martina

What are the things that inspire you?

‘Karl! …I like how he understands the light and [that] he cares about the details. Being able to look over his shoulder is the biggest inspiration for me [right] now.’

What is your favourite subject to create work about?

‘I like to take family portraits on a beach… Food is also fun, but I'm a terrible chef - I cook really well to taste, but it never looks great so I don't have many chances to practice photos of food.’
Product Image By Martina
© Martina

How would you describe your style?

‘I still feel that I don't have my style yet.. [but] I’ve realized what I don’t like and discovered some aspects of what I do enjoy, like the clarity in Karl’s photos, which resonates with me. 

Growing up, I was always taught to follow instructions rather than express my opinions. This made it hard to understand my preferences. Now, I’m learning to trust my own tastes and make decisions that feel right to me.

Being my own boss allows me to make choices that align with my values, unlike in my previous job where I had to follow directives that didn’t always make sense to me. This journey is helping me develop my style and understand what truly makes me happy.’

Product Images By Martina
© Martina

What does a typical day look like?

‘I wake up around 6am [to] do my meditation, exercises, and language lessons…[After taking my daughter to school, I] either take photos, edit photos, learn, plan and scout locations for outdoor photo shoots, do paperwork, and social media content (hate it).’ 

‘There are times when I run around like a headless chicken trying to do too many things, but there are also times (less often) when I can just go for a walk with a friend or read on a terrace.’

‘I sometimes have photoshoots in the evening (sunset beach family sessions) or early mornings (nature photos), [which feels like] a nice break in a routine…’

What is your workspace like?

‘A small IKEA table in a corner of our living room/children's play area. Plus some stuff in the garage, some on the ground floor, some on the first floor, and some on the second floor. As you can imagine, getting ready for a photoshoot requires me to run up and down many stairs.’
Product Image By Martina
© Martina

What are you goals and aspirations as a photographer?

‘I want to learn…to become more confident and skilled [and] go from clients asking "how much" to clients just booking and knowing that it will be worth the money.

I’m not yet where I want to be. After a year of hard work, I’m barely breaking even, but it's improving. I could have more clients and make more money by producing quick, low-quality work like some local photographers, but that’s not what I love. My progress is slow, but I enjoy my work and am proud of my results. That’s why I chose this path over a better-paid but boring job.”’

What is one tip you would give a creative starting out?

‘Be patient and brave - crucial in every aspect of life. Being brave is important because stepping out of our comfort zones is necessary for growth. I follow a rule: if fear is the only reason holding me back, I push myself to do it anyway, unless it’s life-threatening…We have the power to change our lives, and bravery is essential for that.
Product Image By Martina
© Martina
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