Our first feature in this years’ BLUP 50 is Borja Marting. Along with his Spanish roots, he is a photographer whilst also being a creative producer and visual artist based in London.
His work ranges from Short film advertising to still photography ads. He has also worked with the likes of Seventy7, WaterCreative, PRM, CANADA, FAMILIA Films, ULTRA Music, Columbia Records, Sony Records, Polydor, Brother Leo, Stella Santana, Alsace, Freerecs and other international brands & talent in the music and fashion industries.
Though he tells the BLUP that he’s “just a normal guy that’s a little too passionate about music”…we learn more about how these passions developed throughout his journey. Have a further read about what Borja has been getting up to lately.
// DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD
Spanish.
// HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY IN PHOTOGRAPHY/FILM AND HOW DID YOUR PASSION DEVELOP?
My journey started very early on with graphic design. I had friends in fashion so the way I entered the industry was very organic.
I developed into a creative position at Familia Films in London and that opened my eyes within the industry. I felt surrounded by like minded people working on things I was passionate about.
When covid lockdown hit, I kept writing creatives & treatments for other directors but as I still had a lot of time, I figured that the only thing in between the ideas I was writing down and the end product was the technical side of the cameras and light. This was when I began an obsessive learning and practice which brought results quickly.
In the second month of lockdown, I shot a campaign for Reiss, Next and VERY which were my first professional shoots. To this day, I still keep some of those brands as regular clients.
// BEING ON YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY SO FAR, WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Don’t doubt yourself, it’s a process. One step today is a step closer, enjoy it.
// WHAT’S YOU GO-TO SONG RIGHT NOW (OF 2022)?
// WHAT’S A MOMENT OR PIECE OF WORK YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?
Over lockdown, I moved near Kings Cross and I used to walk my dog passing by Sky Studios where they shoot all the things you ever dream of as a photographer. At the time, I thought of getting a job there within a year, which felt like a good goal. A month later, I was shooting an Adidas campaign over there.
// IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY & ENJOY DINNER WITH ANY PERSON IN YOUR INDUSTRY TO PICK THEIR BRAINS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Rick Rubin.
Why? <insert laughter>
// WHAT’S THE NEXT ITEM ON YOUR WISHLIST?
Pioneer XZ
// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY BRAND OF YOUR CHOICE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
At the moment, Louis Vuitton is doing great work with people I like.
// WHAT’S RECENTLY CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION ON INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK?
The obsession that the music industry has for TikTok. They also need to understand that not everyone is made for it and that TikTok is nothing but another outlet. They should focus on supporting and exploiting the strengths of each artist.
Though, if you still want to see someone in music killing it at the moment on TikTok, it would be Rosalia’s TikTok LIVE Performance (MOTOMAMI).
// WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE IN YOUR CRAFT?
Ideas.
// DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING EXCITING COMING UP IN 2022/23 THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I started a project with my best friend that unifies everything I love and I’m passionate about: serving other talents to help them in their creative endeavours.
FOLLOW BOJRA’S JOURNEY
Instagram @borjamarting
See his portfolio / site here at www.borjamarting.com