Meet Walter Martin | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Walter Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Walter, what do you want your legacy to be?
This is an interesting question because it is something I’ve been thinking a lot about. I think what I would like to be best remembered is my creativity and how much I have contribute and grown as an artist. One of the best compliments I have been given on my photography is how someone look at my photo and feel like they are right there in the moment. And it is something I try to keep delivering because I like to have that kind of impact on people. However, I do like to try to develop new skills and try new things, trying to breach my creative barrier and bring it to a whole new level. So that is something I would like to be best remembered. For my creativity and how my creative skills have impacted people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am still in the process of trying to find my brand, but I often do nature, landscapes and travel photography. On occasion, I have done some events and even get hired to do an occasional engagement or professional headshot photoshoot. Recently, I had came back from Germany and slowly editing my photos. It is hard to find time because of my current day job.

I can’t say I have reached complete success, but the most hardest challenge is mainly getting myself out there in front of people and showing what I can do. I often share my work on Instagram, Facebook, Unsplash, and a few other sites and often get positive results for doing so. The most exciting thing that has happened to me so far was when someone bought one of my photos from Shutterstock for quite a bit of money. It is the biggest sale I have made so far on Shutterstock.

But for the moment, I am currently looking at a few volunteering opportunities which I hope might give me some more exposure. So the main lesson I am learning is that persistence is the key.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If it is in the summer, I would take them to Put-in-Bay. I usually try to go there at least once a year. It is an interesting place because it is where one of the battles of the War of 1812 were fought. There is also a monument column commemorating the battle with a nice scenic view of Lake Erie and a park you can walk through. Food wise, I still visit some restaurants I have never been to try their food, but I often go to Mojito Bay for a drink.

In the Fall, I would take them to Newark’ Burial Mound Park or to Old Man’s Cave near Hocking Hills. I never been there for no more than a few hours so I don’t know what places to check out for food and drink, but the parks are very beautiful because of the changing leaves. And Old Man’s Cave is most especially cool because of the terrain you hike through. It kind of reminds of hiking through a mountain or a canyon.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I like to think Bruno Tatalovic who has always been more of a mentor for me. He is a film maker and we had worked on two feature films together. Not only have I learned so much from him when I am on his film sets, but he is also very supportive and encouraging of other artists as well.

Bob Graziosi who has also been there and is very encouraging as well. Me and Bob have also met and worked on a few of Bruno’s films. Bob is a screenwriter and producer and the one thing I got from him is that it’s never too late to succeed in your dreams.

Website: https://wamartin.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: @writer.filmmaker2013

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/walteramartin/

Facebook: facebook.com/waltmeisterphotography/

Other: https://waltmeister.darkroom.com/