Satellite Voices

Dubai

In Pictures: Martin Beck

June 20, 2011

Fashion photography with a rock and roll sensibility

• Text by Simone Sebastian

Arguably, Martin Beck’s two biggest inspirations are sex, and rock'n'roll. The Dubai-based fashion photographer has been shooting pouty-lipped models (and the musicians that lust after them) for over a decade, all while living and working within the region. Satellite Voices caught up with the photographer to find out if his scantily clad nuns have ever gotten him into trouble...

Satellite Voices: How long have you lived in Dubai and what brought you here?
Martin Beck: I have been in and out of Dubai since November 2004, almost an expat veteran. After a decade in Johannesburg I was looking for a change and saw Dubai as an emerging market.  

SV: Tell us about a recent, exciting project?
Martin Beck: I got to shoot new advertising images and portraits for shoe designer Camilla Skovgaard, who just won accessory designer of the year at the Danish Fashion awards. One of the portraits is on Vogue.com, which is pretty cool.

SV: Your photographs have a very rock'n'roll sensibility - did you grow up wanting to be a rock star?
Martin Beck: Who didn't? Yeah, probably, it's never too late! 

SV: You're also known for your suggestive portrayals of wide-eyed women. How does the region react to some of your more risque images?
Martin Beck: Well, no-one has reacted yet in a negative way. I have always done this kind of thing. Women are beautiful. What's not to love? I don't see the images as risque at all.

SV: Is censorship an issue for you?
Martin Beck: I think censorship just hampers the talented people here being able to show their full creativity and talent. Too many rules to follow which mean uninspiring briefs to follow. I would say even the creatives in the agencies feel uninspired

SV: What's next?
Martin Beck: I have so many projects that I want to do - so its about time that I actually started at least one of them!