Martina Holmberg is a freelance photographer born and based in Stockholm, Sweden. As a child, she often accompanied her father to the darkroom where he made prints of photographs. She loved to pass through the doors into the dark room and smell the chemicals from the vats where the photographs slowly emerged in the liquids. Perhaps it was there that her interest in photography began.
Martina is both a writer and photographer, and women's different living conditions has been a common thread in her work for many years. She also finds a lot of inspiration in creating a feeling, or an inner state on a more subtle level. An incurable curiosity about the human being is the main reason why she became a photographer and writer.
She has traveled around the world for various aid organizations and on freelance assignments where she has portrayed people's different living conditions. Often with a focus on women's rights. She loves to challenge herself by trying new expressions to constantly evolve. Over the years she has published eight books, and her work has been exhibited, awarded, and published internationally.
EDUCATION – PHOTOGRAPHY / FILM / JOURNALISM
2023 Berghs School of Communication, Graphic Design
2021 Poppius School of Journalism, Reportage
2014 Poppius school of Journalism, Basic course in practical journalism
2014 Basic film course at Kulturama
2009 Course in studio photography organized by
Association of Swedish Professional Photographers
2007 Authorized photographer in digital imaging
(course organized by Association of Swedish Professional Photographers)
2002–2005 Nordens Fotoskola Biskops Arnö - the Nordic School of Photography
COLLECTION
Gallery Axel
Swedish Association for Art (SAK)
Region Skåne
Örebro Kommun
Region Örebro län
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Talens of the Year 2023 – The Independent Photographer
AAP Magazine #35: Colors
Fade to Black – All About Photo
Conundrum – All About Photo
AWARDS / GRANTS
2024 LensCulture Portrait Awards 2024 – Finalist
2024 Fine Art Photography Awards – Six nominations, Portrait, Fine Art, Experimental
2024 Julia Margaret Cameron Award – First Price, Fine Art Category
2024 Hiertanämnden (Publicistklubben)
2024 Grey Cube Gallery - Finalist
2024 Tokyo International Foto Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 New York Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 AAP Magazine 35 Colors – Particular Merit Mention
2023 International Photography Awards – First Prize, Professional Analog / Film, Fine Art
2023 International Photography Awards – Official Selection
2023 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention, Fine Art
2023 Helge Ax:son Johnsons foundation
2023 Swedish Arts Council – Litterature grant
2023 The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Travel grant
2023 Fine Art Photography Awards – Nominee
2023 The Independent Photographer Awards – First Price / Black & White
2022 Wendela Prize – Honorable Mention
2022 Minimalist Photography Awards /Honorable Mention, Portrait
2022 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention, Landscape
2022 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention, Photomanipulation
2022 Swedish Authors' Fund – Travel grant
2021 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2021 The Swedish Authors' Fund – Three year working grant
2021 Association of Swedish Professional Photographers – Grez-sur-Loing grant
2020 Minimalist Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2020 The Swedish Arts Grants Committee – One year working grant
2020 Sony World Photography Awards – Open Creativ, shortlist
2020 SIDA-grant (Publicistklubben)
2019 The Swedish Arts Grants Committee – Travel grant
2018The Swedish Authors' Fund – Travel grant
2018 The Swedish Arts Grants Committee – Travel grant
2016 The Swedish Authors' Fund – One year working grant
2012 PP Pensions' Photo Contest – Winner
2012 The Swedish Authors' Fund – One year working grant
2012 Association of Swedish Professional Photographers –
Kavalla grant
2005 Scanpix Photo Prize – Nominee
BOOKS
2023 Konsnäckan / Conidae (Self Published)
2022 Qaanaaq – Röster från en by (Verbal Förlag)
2021 Det bor en fågel i mitt öra (Ekström & Garay)
2021 In a WoMAN's world (Verbal Förlag)
2021 Väsen (Self Published)
2020 Mayfly (Self Published)
2016 Hanseman (Lux Förlag)
2012 Fade to Black (Lux Förlag)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Konsnäckan / Conidae – F2 Black Door Gallery, Örebro
2022 In a WoMAN's world – Abecita Popkonst & Foto, Borås
2021 In a WoMAN's world – Gallery Kontrast, Stockholm
2020 Mayfly – Black Door Gallery, Örebro
2019 The women on Meri Seif – Black Door Gallery, Örebro
2016 Hanseman – Neva Books, Rimforsa
2016 Hanseman – Galllery Axel, Stockholm
2013 Fade to Black – Neva Books, Rimforsa
2012 Fade to Black – Gallery KG 52, Stockholm
2012 Fade to Black – Gallery Axel, Stockholm
2012 Fade to Black – Black Door Gallery, Örebro
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Talens of the Year 2023 ” – The Independent Photographer, Photo Book Cafe 4 Leonard, Circus, London
2023 Fade to Black – Hishult Konsthall, Halmstad
2021 Fade to Black – Rikstolvan, Simrishamn
2017 Hanseman – Planket, Stockholm
2014 Emiliana Laura – Planket, Stockholm
2013 Pinhole & Toy – Neva Books, Rimforsa
2012 Fade to Black – Sven Harrys Konstmuseum, Stockholm