As a photographer-centric brand, we believe in celebrating the people behind the camera. We're committed to never using AI-generated imagery, and wherever possible, our campaigns feature real photographers rather than models.
For our Marlo launch campaign, we met up with the lovely Francesca in Melbourne CBD to spend an afternoon wandering the city and chasing the light. Predominantly working with film, Francesca's images have a dreamy, nostalgic quality that feels both intimate and effortlessly candid. There's a sense of warmth and familiarity in her work - evoking memories of slow mornings and sun-soaked holidays, and making us wish we were somewhere with nowhere to be.
As always, we recommend checking out Francesca's Instagram to get a feel for her beautiful work (and give her a follow whilst you're there!) before diving into the interview below.
How did you get into photography?
I'm not sure what the defining moment was, but we always had cameras and photo albums around growing up. I loved flipping through them, especially old holiday photos and the memories tied to them. I decided to study photography at the end of high school and completely fell in love with it. I was really inspired by the works of Martin Parr, Nan Goldin, and Steven Meisel.
How would you describe your photography style and what do you mainly shoot?
Dreamy, nostalgic, and not overly filtered. I think I naturally romanticise slower, simpler moments. I mainly shoot street, travel, and fashion, often on analog film.
What camera/s do you have?
My go-to is the Canon AE-1 - I use it all the time and am always amazed by it! I've collected heaps of other film cameras over time (Pentax 17, Olympus Mju II, Nikon One Touch etc.). For digital, I shoot on the Sony a7III.
What's your fave lens (& why)?
Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 - it's lightweight, versatile, and pretty darn reliable. Perfect for pretty much everything, especially when I'm travelling.
What's in your camera bag? Any essential items?
Lots of film rolls, spare batteries, a reflector, and my camcorder - that's a must!
Where (or what) do you draw inspiration from?
Travel, travel, travel! Exploring new places, cultures, food, textures, architecture - just the feeling of being somewhere completely unfamiliar and not caring about the time of day. Just wandering, observing, and documenting.
Favourite photo you've taken (& why)?
One of my favourites is of my friends Kunal and Maria on a boat in Portugal. It was a really special group trip - we all met during lockdown at a student hotel and became super close, and this was our first holiday together. We were staying at Maria's family home, and that day on the boat we realised we were nine people from nine different countries. It felt really special to capture that moment and be surrounded by such great friends.
In your opinion, what makes a good photo?
Something that makes you feel something or brings back a memory.
Your best photography tip!
Go on a solo trip! Just you, your camera, and somewhere new. Slow down, explore, and really notice things. And also learn lighting - it's pretty crucial.
Where to find Francesca:
If you have any suggestions on who to interview next, send us a message!
