How photographer Lauren Marttila is making holiday gift giving a snap.
Like rolling on a fresh coat of paint, the right photograph can completely transform a room. This thinking is perhaps what differentiates Lauren Marttila the most whenever she slips behind her camera. “I shoot with the aesthetics of a home in mind,” the island-based fine art photographer explains. “I love the stories that can be told in a home through individual collections.” Since her husband, Neil, inspired her to pick up a camera again nearly a decade ago, Marttila has quietly honed her craft and created a body of work that’s breathing new life into interior design.
Her landscapes are all at once vivid and subdued, emanating a clear sense of place while also not overpowering the rooms where they hang. “It is very important to me that the work fits seamlessly into a home while enhancing its surroundings,” says Marttila, who can most often be found photographing the morning light on Cisco, Ladies or some of the smaller beaches off of Surfside while Neil catches waves. “I seek out simplicity and muted water colors in my photos because, for me, they are like taking a deep breath.”
Equally refreshing is her photography’s approachable price point. Marttila’s prints—which come custom-matted and framed—start at just $98. Her “Shelfie” collection—5-by-5–inch framed prints—make for thoughtful hostess gifts or stocking stuffers that could adorn a bookshelf, each a unique chapter from the Nantucket landscape. On the other end of the spectrum, Marttila also offers metal pieces that achieve a visually satisfying juxtaposition between the soft, natural hues of her images and the sleek, metal material on which they’re printed.
“Not everyone can spend as much time on the island—or by the ocean—as they would like,” Marttila says. “So when people are standing in front of my work, I want them to be able to envision themselves there.” Indeed, Lauren Marttila’s photos not only transform a space but also transport a viewer to places close to their heart. So when it comes to finding a gift for a friend or loved one this holiday season, remember that a piece of Nantucket is always picture perfect.
Lauren Marttila’s prints are available for purchase online at laurenmarttila.com and anthropologie.com, as well as at Milly & Grace, Bodega and Serena & Lily’s Chestnut Hill location. If you can’t pick a favorite photo for a friend, gift certificates are also available at laurenmarttila.com.
