Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Martin.
Gregory, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a lifelong artist. I started out painting as a young child at the feet of my Grandmother, Lucille Martin — who was a well-known landscape oil painter. She taught me about composition and the use of light and color at a very early age, which has spilled over into my photography. I found that I had a God given talent for painting portraits. Having an artist’s eye has greatly influenced the way that I shoot. Being an artist goes hand in hand with my passion for photography. I got my first camera in high school when I was 16, a Canon AE-1, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Back then, cameras used something called “film.” Haha! Looking back, I’m glad that I learned to shoot on film, and that I did my own darkroom developing. I feel that experience gave me a better understanding and appreciation for photography as an art form. Many of my favorite photos, I will use to create original oil paintings for my gallery. I have a two thousand square foot space, that serves as both a photography studio and an art gallery.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Over the years I’ve worked for various advertising agencies, publications and modeling agencies, where my subject matter has been dictated to me. I’ve had Gregory Martin Photography since the early 1990s, however, it’s only been in the past few years that I’ve decided to do my photography full time. One thing about being a photographer, is that you have to establish a name for yourself, which takes time. You can have all the talent in the world, but if people don’t know who you are — you won’t get work. There have been many lean years doing the legwork and building a name for myself as a photographer. Recently, I’ve actually heard people refer to me as the “Rock’n Roll” photographer, which I kinda like. I guess it’s the hair! Ha!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I shoot just about every genre of photography — studio & location portraiture, fashion, commercial, culinary, concerts, events, bridal & wedding, travel, pets and editorial. Most recently, I’ve started doing aerial photography with my new drone, which is a blast!
I would have to say that my specialty is Portraiture. I truly enjoy staging a shoot that brings out and captures my client’s personality. I also really enjoy shooting fashion because of the level of creativity involved.
One thing that I feel sets me apart from other photographers is my artistic background as a portrait artist. A unique service that I offer to my clients, is being able to do an original oil painting from an image selected by the client. The client can select their favorite photo from our shoot, and 4-8 weeks later, I will deliver their painting to them.
Something else I’m very excited about is a newly formed partnership with one of Texas’ top children/newborn photographers, Michealan Marie. With “Martin Marie Photography,” together we have over 40 years of combined experience. I have the upmost respect for her work as a photographer, and I feel truly blessed to be working with her. Many of the big photography jobs, such as wedding photography, commercial work, family reunions, etc., require two photographers. And if videography is needed, having Michealan there to do the photography, allows me to do the video work, which is another one of my specialties. I do videography and editing, and with my new professional drone, I can now do aerial video work, which is something else that I feel sets us apart from other photographers.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always very active and outgoing — an extrovert. And being a creative person, I tend to get bored very easily. That’s one of the things I love about photography, is that it’s never the same thing twice. Every day I’m shooting somewhere different, and even when I’m shooting in my studio, no two shoots are the same.
In addition to my passion for painting and photography, growing up, I loved playing tennis and racing motocross. I grew up with a tennis court in the backyard, so I played all the time. And when I wasn’t on the court, odds are, I was on a motorcycle or ATV. I also enjoyed skiing — both water and snow.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1409 S. Lamar St., STE# 739
Dallas, TX 75215 - Website: www.GregoryMartinPhotography.com
- Phone: 469-608-9299
- Instagram: GregoryMartinPhotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortraitsbyGregory
- Yelp: Gregory Martin Photography
Image Credit:
On the Marionette “puppet” photo — Models: Michealan Marie and Dylan Burgess, Hair and Makeup: Kate Conkey, Dress by Andre Yabin ~ Binzario Couture
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