Lomography Partners: La Peliculera of Madrid, Spain

Come one, come all. Lomography has partners all over the world to help serve your analogue needs. If you're from Spain then it's your lucky day! We're featuring our Madrid-based partner Marta of La Peliculera in today's installment of Lomography Partners.

Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the incredible female-led businesses that work with us, and we’re thrilled to feature Marta and La Peliculera as part of this series!

Hello, can you introduce yourself to the Lomography community?

My name is Marta and I've been an analogue photographer for over 15 years now! I was surrounded by cameras all my childhood, my grandmother was passionate about them and was always taking pictures of her everyday life. It wasn't until the end of my university studies that I used photography as a way to relax and enjoy some time for myself.

What is the story behind your shop/lab? How did it all start?

La Peliculera started five years ago when we took over from the previous shop I worked at for a few years, the former CaprilePhoto/Lomography Madrid. I always wanted to be able to carry out my own small project in which I could resume the passion that the analogue photo community has. We are very proud of it and being able to accompany our clients and friends through the whole process: from buying film or a camera, developing and digitalizing the photos, and printing them. We also give training workshops and do free activities that people are very grateful for.

Why did you choose to work with Lomography?

Lomography has been committed to analogue photography for decades, creating new cameras and films every year. And it has one of the best social communities in the world! We love their philosophy and that they cater to all types of users when thinking about what products to develop.

Do you have a favorite Lomography product?

The LC-A+ is one of my favorite Lomography cameras. It has a great lens, meters light super well and you can comfortably take double exposures. I really want to try the LomoApparat (which looks like it shares many of the same qualities) but I haven't had time to try it out yet.

Do you think there are any specific advantages or disadvantages to being a woman business owner?

Maybe there are some disadvantages because some salespeople or clients are tempted to explain things to you as if you didn't have much idea when it's the opposite. But little by little we are educating them and it happens less and less.

Do you have a favorite memory of running your business over the years?

Without a doubt, the best memories I have are of how many of the regular customers who visit us have become friends. It's wonderful to see how happy they are with your achievements and how supportive they are in tougher times. We also really enjoy watching people grow as they pick up a camera for the first time and month after month, enjoying photography, they go on to do amazing things.

Who inspires you?

In general, I am inspired by my family and my closest environment. My parents, my sister, my husband, my son, and my friends. I am surrounded by amazing people and I love to share their achievements and their dreams.

Photographically speaking at the moment, after having my son Tristan, I am fascinated by the family portraits taken by the photographer Lisa Sorgini. I love her atmosphere and how she portrays the mother-child relationship in such a personal way.

What excites and energizes you most about your work?

I'm passionate about helping people get the photos they have in mind, giving them a hand with choosing film or equipment in general. I'm the first to get excited every time a new film is released and I immediately alert those who I think can get a lot out of it. Analogue photography is so magical and never ceases to amaze me!

Another thing I love is working and being surrounded by a wonderful team like the one we have at La Peliculera. Emilio has been with me since the beginning and is an essential part of the little shop, and the new additions (Javi, Laura, and Martín) are wonderful and the working atmosphere couldn't be better!

Do you have any plans or future projects you are working on?

Soon we are going to remodel La Peliculera to give it the personality that we have always envisioned and until now we couldn't carry out. We also want to move to the small studio we have above the shop, La Peliculera 54, where we do the workshops and talks. We also have one last surprise related to the lab world that we hope to reveal soon.

What advice would you give to anyone (especially other women) who wants to start their own creative business as you have done?

I would tell them to build a good support network. Sisterhood is very important and caring and being cared for is very valuable nowadays. Get to know those around you and lend a hand when you can. I was lucky to have a very good network of family and friends who made the whole process easier than it could have been.

Vital Information

Official Name: La Peliculera
Address: Calle Argensola 2. 28004 Madrid, Spain
Services offered: cameras, gear, and film sales, film development and printing, workshops, photo sessions, camera rentals, laboratory.

Want to see your favorite store featured in our magazine? Please send us an email at wholesaleinquiries@lomography.com and we will check them out!

written by cheeo on 2023-04-06 #people #places #partners #analogue #spain #madrid #film-photography #stockists #lomography-partners #film-store #la-peliculera