Urbanity Chic , Spotlight Interview – María del Mar García

María del Mar García is a professional photographer who splits her time between London, Italy (Milán and Rome) and Spain (Madrid and Seville). María has recently completed a Masters degree in Fine Art and is currently working on a PhD thesis whilst simultaneously developing a promising career in professional photography. When we discovered her creative portfolio we were delighted when she agreed to complete a spotlight interview for Urbanity Chic. Read on to find out about who inspires María, how she would describe her own personal style photography and what motivates her to do what she does.

María del Mar García Photography

Q: How did you get into professional photography?

I was awarded my Fine Art Degree and I moved to Barcelona where little by little, I started getting into professional photography.

Q: What do you enjoy most photographing?

In my work I am interested in people, capturing their thoughts, restlessness, experiences… catching them spontaneously with my camera. Consequently, all this has made me appreciate the behavior; both of individual people and social groups in which they are immersed.  In order to convey this, I try to use a “pure” photography language.

Q: How was 2010 for you?

2010 was an important year because it was a period of energetic charge that has generated new projects. Sometimes it was necessary to stop a moment, reflect, then, start again stronger.

María del Mar García Photography

Q: Who inspires you?

I have many sources of inspiration such as Paolo Roversi, Ellen von Unwerth, Richard Avedon, Nick Knight, Cindy Scherman, Diane Arbus… in the cinema with Ingmar Bergman or Tarantino… writer as Samuel Beckett…visual art Bill Viola, etc. However, the person who has influenced my visual work more than most is Steven Meisel. I actually completed my PhD at the University Fine Art, of University of Seville, called: “From ants and elephants: social interactions looking at the influence of Steven Meisel’s photographic work.

Q: Which modern day fashion designers or fashion icons do you look up to?

As in my photography work, I like to follow a variety of styles that enrich me both professionally and personally. I’m inspired by Giorgio Armani, Kate Spade, Viktor & Rolf, Michael Kors, Karl Lagerfeld, Issey Miyake, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford…Madonna, Kate Moss, David Gandi, etc.

María del Mar García Photography

Q: What makes a good photographer in your opinion?

I think a photographer is born as such. You can learn the perfect technique and the semiotic of each photographic style in order to achieve absolute correctness and very refined technique. These things will make you and good photographer.

But the quality what differentiates a good photographer from the rest is sensitivity. School can teach you how to use a camera, lights, etc. but they can’t teach you how to look. The choice of the frame, the angle, etc. is all yours.

Q: Do you prefer using film cameras or digital?

I prefer film camera and the chemistry poetics but I am working with digital at the moment.

Q: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in the studio?

I like them both. Each has its charm. The question is to find the appropriate location to make your job interesting .

María del Mar García Photography

Q: Do you have an interesting stories about a particular photo shoot you’d like to share?

Actually each photo shoot is a particularly interesting experience for me. I’m always happy and excited for each shoot. It doesn’t matter how many times I do a session.

However, I can remember stories such as a jealous boyfriend who took his girlfriend off the set in the middle of a lingerie session or a traffic accident because a driver was looking at a model on an outdoor session.

Q: Do you have a specific style of photography that makes you unique?

I think my style is to create a pure sense of photography that a viewer can relate to.

Q: Do you have a favourite photograph?

I have many photos that I can call favorites. Each one tells me something about the context of the situation where they were taken, even about myself; because that is important to me.

María del Mar García Photography

Q: Who is your favourite photographer?

I like many photographers but maybe my favorite one is Steven Meisel ·

Q: Is there anybody you would like to work with (either behind or in front of the camera)?

Of course, I would like to work with Meisel, Roversi, Peter Lindbergh, Solve Sundsbo, Glen Luchford … Work for Vogue, with David Gandi, Sasha Pivovarova, Magdalena Frackowiak, Sean O’Pry, Ollie Edwards, Natalia Vodianova… ·

Q: How would you define your personal style?

Authentic and evolving .

Q: Where are you based?

London, Italy (Milán and Rome) and Spain (Madrid and Seville) ·

María del Mar García Photography

Q: What’s it like being where you’re from?

Strong, light and hot!

Q: What’s been the highlight of your career to date?

Each step I took, every new discovery in my work I consider as a highlight of my career. My work is my passion and I give equal value to everything that happens in it, from the smallest to the largest thing.

Q: What are you hoping to achieve in 2011?  ·

Same as for the rest of my life, continue to work with photography.

Q: What do you do to relax?

I meditate.

María del Mar García Photography

Q: What songs are on your iPod at the moment?

I have a lot! Right now I’m listening Radiohead “No surprises” ·

Q: Do you have interesting hobbies?

I love cinema, comics, music, Art (Contemporary Art over all), theatre, travel, swimming and getting to know new people.

María del Mar García Photography

Q: If you could give a little piece of advice for aspiring photographers what would it be?

Don’t give up and be honest with yourself.

Q: What motivates you to do what you do?

When I do and see a good photography I have a great feeling inside. I can’t do any other thing. It is stronger than me ·

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to let our readers know about?

Just a thank you for your time to read my interview!

María del Mar García Photography

Editor’s Note: María del Mar García has a great sense of photographic style and composition that she draws upon to create some extremely enchanting photographs with commercial appeal.

If you’d like to contact or learn more about María del Mar García just follow the links below:

 twitter link: http://twitter.com/#!/MariaMarGarJim 

facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1600029215 

Blog: http://mariamargarcia.blogspot.com/ 