Lucia Lamata is a Spanish photographer with a striking style that is represented in both her look and in her work.
Drawing influence from the subculture, the street and a fair amount of fetish, her predominantly black and white shots immediately capture the eye and open the imagination.
Fully immersed in her art , Lucia’s unique images from the streets of Madrid and Barcelona are often risqué but always powerful , memorable and original.
Lucia’s “eye for a shot” has seen her become in demand for a range of industries from hospitality to fashion , and recently worked alongside Merc to put her own take on our brand !
Merc were delighted to catch up with Lucia and learn more about the lady behind the lens ……
WHAT FIRST PROMPTED A YOUNG LUCIA LAMATA TO PICK UP A CAMERA ?
My mother has always been an amateur photographer, she was always taking pictures of our family that still keeps hanging around the house. The first conscious memory I have with a camera in my hands was when I was 12 at my uncle’s wedding. They hired a wedding photographer, however, the photos they have printed in their house from that day are mine, and that made me think.
WHAT DID YOU INITIALLY LIKE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF AS A YOUNGSTER ?
My first contacts were towards skate photography in my teens. When I was 18 I moved to Madrid, and started hanging out in the street all day, I loved parties and raves, and took photos of everything around me, my friends and people that I found curious.
YOUVE A VERY STRIKING AND UNIQUE STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY , BLACK AND WHITE BOLD IMAGES AND STRONG CHARACTERS , WHERE DID THIS COME FROM ?
I don't really know where it came from. I was always a very responsible kid until I turned 13 and something clicked in me and changed, I had a lot of darkness and sensitivity inside and I guess it is reflected in my style. Me and my sister have been taken to museums and exhibitions since we were little, art in my house was essential, in all its aspects. I studied traditional and digital illustration and I think there is a lot of influence from painting in my photographs, but I wasn't aware of it until I was older.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE ?
I'm not very into labels and I like to be in constant change and growth, so it's a bit difficult for me to define it... In general terms, I think that what predominates are portraits and documentary with some fashion photography. I think there is a bit of fantasy in my photos that gives them a touch of magical realism.
THERES A DEFINITE PUNK/SKIN/FETISH FEEL TO YOUR WORK , IS THIS PART OF YOUR OWN STYLE ?
Without a doubt, finally what I portray is people from my environment and with similar interests. I've always hung out with a wide variety of people and I've been in the punk scene all my life. I also define these three styles as the predominant ones. Before my photos were more street but since I discovered BDSM it became an important part of my style.
DO YOU USE MUSIC TO “SET THE MOOD” ON SHOOTS, AND IF SO WHAT SORT OF STUFF WORKS FOR YOU ?
Always, but I tend to be generous. I prefer that the people I portray choose the music so that they can feel comfortable and flow with the feelings. In cases where someone doesn’t know what to put on then I choose, but this is not usually the case.
YOUR TALENT HAS SEEN YOU WORK IN A RANGE OF INDUSTRIES, FROM FASHION TO FOOD, DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TOPIC TO SHOOT ?
I absolutely prefer portrait/fashion/documentary, but photography for companies, gastronomy and other sectors makes me money. At the moment I cannot live fully from what I like, so I am open to other sectors that I am limiting little by little and directing my photography exclusively towards where I like and enjoy.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON A CERTAIN AREA OR DO YOU LIKE THE VARIETY ?
I learn a lot from variety and I have always found it fun to know a little about everything in photography. But the more I grow, the more necessary I see specializing. My path is in portrait, documentary and fashion, absolutely
YOU'VE RECENTLY TAKEN SOME SHOTS FOR MERC, HOW IS MERC VIEWED IN SPAIN ?
It’s a classic brand. I know about Merc from my father. Here it is better known among mod and punk people or people who have lived through the 80s. I think that now it is reviving and taking center stage again.
IS THE BRITISH SUBCULTURE A BIG THING IN SPAIN ?
In the circles in which I move, yes, it has always been present, but I think it is not particularly well known in general. I think that lately it is more fashionable, since right now fashion reaches everywhere and we have much more information
WHAT SUBCULTURE DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH MOST ?
Without any in particular. I like to meet all kinds of people and I find almost all subcultures interesting. I think that with my work I have learned to appreciate many things to which I was previously closed. Aesthetically I could define myself more as a mod/punk but I usually mix what I want when I want, I don't like to limit myself and I like to have fun with fashion.
MOST OF YOUR WORK HAS TAKEN PLACE IN YOUR NATIVE SPAIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK FURTHER AFIELD AND TRAVEL ?
I am from a small town, as soon as I was able I moved to Madrid and later to Barcelona. My intention is to move to London in a year or two at the most. I have traveled a lot and that has allowed me to get a lot of inspiration. Now I am starting to travel to photograph and work in other countries. I would love to live traveling while being stablished in London, it is my next goal.
WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO PHOTOGRAPH?
I could not tell you. I'm not a big fan of anyone in particular, I admire a lot of people and a lot of artists. I have always thought that everyone has something to contribute and to tell, which is why I like to photograph all kinds of people. I really like Rossy de Palma, a Spanish actress. I love her face and her power, it's the first person that comes to my mind.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC CAREER HEADING IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS ?
I´m organizing many trips to different cities to work and learn. I would love to live like this, and I hope it will be like this in these months. I would love to tell you that living in London in a year but I don't know if it will be possible, however I will try to make it happen as soon as I can..
5 favourite bands
The Specials
Joy Crookes
Caro Emerald
Cosmo Pyke
Sen Senra
5 favourite songs
My love for Evermore - The Hillbilly Moon Explosion
All alone - Nick 13
Erik Urano - Energia Libre
Joaquin Sabina - Mentiras piadosas
Devil Eyes - Hippie Sabotage
5 favourite films
Gran Hotel Budapest - Wes Anderson (Even though I love any of his movies, I love his aesthetics)
Rear Window - Alfred Hitchcock
The Shining - Stanley Kubrick
Leon the professional - Luc Besson
All the movies of Gaspar Noe
5 favourite style icons
Michèle Lamy
Sevdaliza
Rossy de Palma
Miranda Makaroff
Twiggy