Photographer Captures Magic of the Scottish Countryside as Wild Animals Get Shockingly Close

Fran Mart pictures of scotland

Four years ago, spurred by a family tragedy, Fran Mart picked up photography and moved from Spain to Edinburgh, Scotland. Inspired by the lush landscape that surrounded him, he moved away from self-portraiture and began shooting the animals and wildlife of the countryside. Traveling with his companion James, a 1-year-old Weimaraner puppy, his photographs are a window into the magical world of the Scottish countryside.

“For me, photography is akin to sitting by the fire, sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee or dram of whiskey, and sharing stories with good friends,” he explains. And his work does transport us into another space, where man mingles freely with animals and lives a peaceful, rural life.

Whether shooting a deer, horse, or ram, the Spanish photographer gets shockingly close to his subjects without the use of a zoom lens. “From a very young age I have felt an affinity with animals, towards the purity and innocence in their eyes,” he writes us via email. “I love creating connections with them and gaining their trust, that's how I take their photos…”

With their washed out, cool palettes and stark compositions, his images allow us to imagine life at a slower pace, one not fueled by the clutter of modern life. And this is exactly Mart's point. “My goal is to inspire people to be more aware of the world in which we live. To appreciate the moments that confront us every day, the ones we maybe we lose sight of due to our fast-living. I'd like to help people to slow down, appreciate beauty in little things, to take the time to see the light…”

Fran Mart is a Spanish photographer who moved to Scotland, where his photography focuses on the animals and landscape of the Scottish Highlands.

fran mart photos of the scottish countryside

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

fran mart photos of the scottish countryside

fran mart photos of the scottish countryside

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

fran mart photos of the scottish countryside

fran mart photos of the scottish countryside

“From a very young age, I have felt an affinity with animals, towards the purity and innocence in their eyes.”

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

Fran Mart Photography Scotland animals

He's often accompanied on his travels by his 1-year-old Weimaraner puppy James.

fran mart photos of Weimaraners

fran mart photos of Weimaranersfran mart Weimaraner photo

Fran Mart: Website | Instagram | Adobe Stock

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Fran Mart.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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