- Photography
Photography is the art of the visual, although Fran Mart's images exude something beyond that. His work moulds Scottish landscapes and more into vessels full of emotion, shimmering atmosphere, and tokens of wonder. When viewing his portfolio, you are overcome by a quiet appreciation for nature and the connection we can find there.
His roots are in Spain, but photographer and creative director Fran Mart now lives amid the splendour of Scotland. There, he alternates the city of Edinburgh for the tranquillity of the countryside. Just one look at his photos says enough to know why he has lost his heart there. Indeed, nature is central to his work, as well as the fickleness of light and a sense of being alone in the vastness of things. Despite the fact that the latter may sound gloomy, he tries to bring people closer to the core of everything. Characteristic, then, is the emotionally charged foundation of his photography and the fluidity with which he turns it into a narrative result. 
Beyond composition, colour and contrast lies an almost spiritual quality that awakens something in every viewer. In addition, his images exert a calming effect: a consequence of the subjects he captures, on the one hand, and peculiar to his persona on the other. That is to say, slow-travelling and walking are essential to his way of working and cultivating his typical storytelling. Visiting the remote corners of inhabited areas creates space for new inspiration that he can put into either his personal projects or client commissions. This balance is important to him, as it always allows him the chance to express his creativity in different ways. Inescapable to his consistent style, however, is the echo of something eternal, something intangible that he draws in through the lens. 
A sense of being alone in the vastness of things
Against perhaps all your expectations, Mart is a self-taught photographer. About a decade ago, the tragic loss of his younger brother led him to the photographic medium. At the time, taking pictures opened up a field in which he could give grief a place; dissect it and create a new dimension for sensitivity. That a rare, hard-to-define beauty can emerge even in the darkest periods is proven by his images of the time. Since then, his camera has never left his side. Whereas the early years often included self-portraits and animals, now he mainly devotes himself to interiors and landscapes. Yet his style has remained recognisable and, over time, he also managed to give it more and more depth and nuance. 
Besides his experience with severe grief, his environment has always played a major role in his creative path. He grew up in Málaga, near the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of Andalusia. These elements had a decisive influence; not only on his identity, but also on his approach to photography. Ranging from the rhythm of the waves to the chirping of insects, the southern climate helped set the tone for his fascination with nature. Upon moving to Scotland, he exchanged the pleasant but monotonous, predictable weather for more irregular conditions and seasons that vary greatly. That contrast only fuelled his passion more. Apart from his professional activities, he also seeks out nature to relax, ranging from forest walks to moments of reflection by the water. 
Want to read more about this impressive talent? You can read about it in the December 2023 edition of Imagicasa Magazine.
Photography by Fran Mart
Text by Cara Jacobs