MARINA LUKIĆ, a Serbian photographer who has called Malta home for the past six years, first picked up a camera during the COVID pandemic. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a creative venture that helped her navigate isolation, develop confidence and build a sense of belonging in a new country. Here, she speaks to Josianne Block about the power of photography, connection and her upcoming exhibitions.
How did you start your journey in photography?
During the COVID pandemic, I would go out for walks and eventually began taking photos. A lot of people say they don’t like it here in Malta because there is nothing to see. But, from the beginning of my photography journey, I’ve been trying to show the beauty of the island. There are things which are very nice here – it’s not just concrete blocks, like many say. I like the Maltese culture, the weather, the old architecture. So, first, I started experimenting with things I liked, which were also easy to photograph, like buildings and landscapes. However, my photography has changed over the years. To continue developing my skills, I then started taking photos which included people. This led me to street photography. Eventually, photography became not just a hobby but also my biggest passion.
So you weren’t passionate about photography back in Serbia?
No, not at all. My life was quite different in Serbia. Before I left, I was going for physiotherapy and the physiotherapist was all the time talking about her son who had just migrated to Malta. She was talking as if Malta was the perfect land. And I felt that life was trying to tell me something, so I decided to make a bold move.
But when I arrived in Malta, slightly before COVID hit, it was difficult. I came alone and I didn’t even know how the island looked because I hadn’t searched a lot about it beforehand. I didn’t have a job, there was no one to help me and my level of English was very basic. At first, my son stayed in Serbia.
There were situations when I doubted myself. Like, what was I thinking when I decided to come and live here? I remember once I went to buy a carton of milk and I wasn’t even able to communicate with the lady in the shop. Even my first job was very challenging, with long hours and no days off.
But I worked really hard to settle down here, and when this happened, everything became easier. My passion for photography developed alongside my integration in Malta.
Now your English is perfect. How did photography help you settle down better in Malta?
A while back I decided to do this photography project with random people on the street for 365 days. I approached different individuals, every single day, and asked them if I could take some photos of them. I was very determined to finish what I had started. I wanted to improve my communication and my photography skills. I’m an introvert and it’s difficult for me to open up to people, especially strangers. I thought that if I started this project, I could talk to different people about photography, poses, composition…
I guess such a big project would have had a significant impact on your life. How did it help you grow as a person? And what were the challenges?
The project made me a stronger person. In the beginning, I only approached people who were on their own, like someone sitting on a bench. After around three months, I started approaching couples and eventually even groups of people. There were several who turned me down – but then I got used to it!
At first, I started thinking that I wasn’t good enough. But then I learned to be more assertive, even when approaching people, and not to get upset if someone refused to pose for a photo.
Sometimes, the weather conditions didn’t help either – we all know how hot it can become here in summer and, often, I had to carry my photography equipment with me throughout the day. The wind can also be a challenge when taking photos because you need to remain steady.
But, thanks to the project, I met a lot
of people and made new friends. Some people transmitted very good vibes, which matched mine. Sometimes, we still go for a coffee or we chat online. People in Malta are friendly. I tried to approach people in other countries while on vacation, however, most of them were too shy to pose for the camera; they weren’t as outgoing as the people in Malta.
People here are interested in what I do, they have asked me a lot of questions about the project. Actually, a few even told me that I should exhibit my works.
What kept you going despite the challenges you’ve mentioned?
I wanted to explicitly show people their natural beauty. It’s alright if their hair is not perfectly set or if they have no make-up. What matters is how we feel, how we act, how we behave with others. People are beautiful just the way they are but I met many girls who seem to find this difficult to believe.
That’s why I named the project The Way We Are – photography made me realise that the façades we often uphold, even on a day-to-day basis, ultimately are of little or no importance.
I also tried to share my emotions and my vibe in these photos. When you look at a picture, it can affect you, just like a song does. Every photo of mine has some kind of story.
I could sense that some people were grateful for my photos; it felt as if it made their day. And, in turn, that made my day too. It’s not just about clicking a button, it’s an exchange of energies. It’s how you’re going to make a person feel. It was a very interesting journey… And a very long one!
Lukić’s work will be displayed in two exhibitions in autumn. The first, held in collaboration with Jana’s Spirit and Culture (VO/2479), an NGO focused on mental health support, will run at the Rabat Volunteer Centre from September 14 to 27. It will be open daily from 8am to 9pm, with an official launch on September 14 at 5pm. Her photography will also be on display at Kunċett Art Café in Valletta throughout September and October. To explore more of her work, visit her Instagram page.
