Marie-Carmen Infantes Hughes
Name: Marie-Carmen Infantes Hughes
Camera: Canon EOS R6
Favourite type of photography: People and cultural
Location: Nancy, France
Website: mcarmenphotography.myportfolio.com
Instagram: @mcarmen.photography
How did you get into photography?
My father always had a camera when we travelled from country to country. When I was old enough to be able to go on my first trip abroad alone, I saved for a camera and started learning while travelling.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
Some of my photos from Mongolia have been published in The Times and in the Daily Star. I am currently working on an exhibition in France.
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
A photo I still have in my house of two children in Myanmar during a festival I took back around 2010. It's hard to explain, but it holds a special place in my heart. Probably because it was my first solo trip, where I met my husband, or the first time I used my camera.
What do you love about photography?
I love how it allows people to express themselves in so many different ways. I am amazed at how we find different ways to express ourselves with the same medium.
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What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
To be more creative, less worried and to stop pixel-peeping! Also, probably to accept that a proper screen is essential to review photos. I did years with the smallest laptop and missed some landscape shots because they just didn't look good on a small screen.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
I love photography in the outdoors, however I have just started studio photography and this is slowly turning into a new favourite!
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
None in particular, but I love seeing new techniques emerging.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
As little as possible. I like to enhance colours and contrast a little, but keep the processing to a minimum when I can.
What's your favourite lens?
I love prime lenses! Two of my favourite are my 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8
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Do you have a favourite accessory?
The handgrip I purchased for my camera. It gives me such a good hold and helps me feel more comfortable when travelling
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
I have a few, mainly Lowepros, but haven't find the perfect bag yet, I still have hope!
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Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Steve Mc Curry and his travelling photos have been a great inspiration, some of his photos in India, near the Taj Mahal, showing the contrast of life and architecture, are still stuck in my head.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Inger Vandyke @ingervandyke_official, she was my first tour lead in Mongolia and it was probably one of the best experiences I had in a while, making me feel confident in myself again. I also love her work. Mihaela Noroc @the.atlas.of.beauty takes some amazing photos of women around the world. Miss Aniela @missaniela does some great surreal photography in a fashion environment.
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
There are a few Canon R lenses I have not invested in yet, they will be in my next purchases, but those might need to wait until 2026.
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
Fashion photography, I love the creations that can be brought to life in a studio environment.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Being published in The Times, never thought this would happen to me!
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
Speaking every language to get closer to the people I photograph. I try to learn as much as possible and speak a few languages, but speaking your subject's language brings depth to portraits that can be difficult to achieve otherwise.
Your favourite baked goods are?
Strawberry pies, a good pavlova, anything with strawberries or meringue!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Born in France to a family from Andalusia, Spain, I have lived in many countries including Japan, China and the UK.
I developed my love of photography in Asia, mainly in China, where I had the chance to photograph people and experience new places around the country.
When I got back to Europe and went back to corporate life, I sadly left my camera aside for a few years before finally taking the jump again last year with a trip to Mongolia. Since then, passion is back and projects and travels are flowing.
I enjoy bringing traditions to life and showing them through photography. It goes back to being a Spanish immigrant in France and seeing my grandmother make sure our traditions could live while still adapting to our new country. Since then, I've been attracted to foreign cultures and how they survive in our day-to-day life.
