Italian-born photographer Marta Bevacqua creates vivid stories through her dream-like images.
Perhaps one of the most desirable things in photography is a recognisable style; a personal finesse that transforms one’s craft into unmistakable art. Born in 1989, the young photographer Marta Bevacqua has that quality in plentiful supply. Her images are intriguing, fantastical and evocative; each one compelling the viewer to envision powerful stories. Each photograph is a discovery, and each one speaks of adventure and complexities just beneath the surface.
Bevacqua is now based in Paris and frequently travels to stunning locations to find the perfect settings for her photographs. FIB got the chance to interview her to find out more about her inspirations, work process and aspirations.
FIB: “How did you get into photography?”
Bevacqua: “It happened by chance. I was 16 years old and I was playing in a fantasy role-play game online. I was looking for photographs and drawings for my character on websites such as Flickr and DeviantArt.
“Once I found what I was looking for, I just continued every day browsing for hours, just for the pleasure I had in seeing beautiful imagery. The step was simple at that point: I just thought I could try [it], and when I took a camera in my hands, I never stopped.”
“What keeps you feeling inspired on a daily basis?”
“Nature the most. And seasons passing. Light, in all its forms. And also the world in general: the cities, the wind, the rain and everything we can see every day just [by] looking outside the window.”
“Who are some artists you admire or are influenced by?”
“Paolo Roversi and Tim Walker. Audrey Kawasaki. Philip Pullman and Audrey Niffenegger. And so many others [that are] impossible to list here.”
“What’s the most rewarding thing about photography, for you?”
“The satisfaction and personal pleasure I feel when I see an idea [become realized] that at first was only in my mind. The effort I put into all my work [is] always rewarded by a sense of completeness.
“Probably, the most rewarding thing is just that it’s my big passion, besides being my job.”
“What do you aim to achieve with your photography?”
“To express myself at the highest form.”
“Is there a particular photograph that you’re most proud of?”
“Not really. My relation with my photographs really depends on many things. Sometimes it’s a particular period, other times the effort I had to put to realize it, other times it’s just the subject. So it’s really hard to choose only one photograph.”
“Do you ever experience creative blocks? If so, how do you get through them?”
“Yes, I think every year. The first time I was really worried. In my life I’ve started so many things that I stopped, that I was thinking I could stop also with photography. But then it passed. Right now, I know that when I have a creative block, I just welcome it and stop photographing, waiting patiently for it to pass.”
“Could you tell us a bit about your art-making process?”
“Normally I have an idea in mind, and I start to develop it by searching for images, location, clothing etc. After that, I choose the model and I organize the shooting.
“Other times it’s all about improvisation; it depends on the shooting.”
“Your photographs have this strong sense of intrigue that implies there’s a story behind them. Are narratives a factor in your work?”
“Yes, always. I imagine stories every time and what I want from the public is just to imagine stories on their own. They don’t have to be real, [just] simple imaginary fantasy stories that even a child could invent.”
“Do you travel a lot for your work?”
“Yes, and it’s so great.”
“How do you connect with your models during a shoot? Do you do anything in particular to make them feel comfortable?”
“I normally talk with them during the preparation to make them sure I won’t eat them. During the shoot itself I don’t speak so much, but I try to make them comfortable beforehand or during breaks.”
“How do you choose the perfect setting for a photograph?”
“Exploring. Everywhere, for everything. And then I just follow instinct and inspiration.”
You can view more of Bevacqua’s work on her website. You can also find her on DeviantArt and Facebook.
All images © Marta Bevacqua.
