AUSTIN MARTINEZ
BY CLARA SEELY-KATZ
ON BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER IN AN OVERSATURATED INDUSTRY, AND HIS LOVE FOR COLLABORATION AND CONNECTION THROUGH THE ARTS.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
My conversation with Austin Martinez, the 24-year-old photographer, artist, musician, and filmmaker (rarely artists in LA wear just one hat), wound along from subject to subject with fluidity and ease: he had a lot to say, and I was inquisitive. Although our conversation took place at a bustling cafe in Los Angeles, we were still able to discuss a wide range of topics. We were interrupted by waiters, loud noises, and clumps of fruit falling out of Martinez's "miscellaneous" fruit tart (we never found out what fruit was in it). Against all odds, we forged ahead in our conversation and ended up talking about everything ranging from being young in LA to what it means to be spiritual and alive. At one point, we even dipped into the subject of death and what it must feel like to drown, with Martinez stating that death is always in the back of his mind and me going on a tangent about how I read somewhere that moments before you drown, you feel euphoric. As you can tell, our conversation digressed heavily (no thanks to me), and yet that almost felt like the whole point.
When you get into a conversation with a young artist as equally hungry as you are about Los Angeles, creating with friends and establishing yourself in the industry, not even a miscellaneous fruit tart can satiate your cravings or stop the conversation from flowing.
Ever since I began to delve more thoroughly into the "Los Angeles culture," I have found myself wandering the city alone, searching for perfect spots and late-night bites, and getting into random conversations with people I meet on the street. A certain current of energy seems to run through those pursuing their dreams in LA, and Martinez is no exception. After living in LA for only a year, he has already worked on major television sets, contributed to various projects, made equally creative and inspiring friends, and established himself as an up-and-coming photographer.
Martinez is one of those people who genuinely make Los Angeles the exciting place bursting with creative potential that it is, so I just had to ask him all about his life, how he became a photographer, and what drove him as an artist. When I asked Martinez about LA, his love for the city was palpable, especially for its people.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
Where is your favorite place in Los Angeles?
I really like Elysian Park. It's a really cool area over by Echo Park, in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles. My friend George introduced me to a lot of that area because it is a great spot for "people watching," there are so many things going on, activities and such. I go there to set up my hammock since there are countless good trees. It's one of the few places I'm actually able to relax and read for a while. Also, it's the kind of place where you meet people. People are friendly, and everybody's having a good time. I once met this guy who was slacklining, and he only had one leg. He was so good at it, way better than us [my friend and I]. I mean, he had been doing it for years, obviously, but it was still so impressive. We started to talk and subsequently became good friends.
So are the random connections you make with other people in LA something that you love about the city as well?
Mostly, yeah! I have such a love for the city and the people, but I love to get away to be alone in nature also. I try to get away pretty often, even by only going to the park or the beach. Honestly, I don't usually go to the beach, even though I live in California and my backyard is a beach. It's ridiculous. I try going to the beach by myself, but I get nervous because I don't have anyone to watch my stuff.
Me too! I feel like you always need a beach buddy of some kind.
Exactly! Or I just sit there and, like, get hot. And then there's no one to talk to; everyone is doing their own thing.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
I know you came here to pursue photography. Can you tell me what the first thing that inspired you to become a photographer is?
It definitely started with my family. My dad and my grandpa on my mom's side inspired me to get into this field. My dad is an artist, so I was raised in a very creative environment. Currently, he does graphic design, but he used to draw and do all different mediums of art when I was growing up. Even so, the other things that he worked on always were accompanied by photography. Especially music. Music was a big thing in our house, and seeing cover art all over our place really inspired me because I was like, Oh, this is so cool. It's two pieces of art in one. With music, you have cover art, and then you have the music itself. Oftentimes the cover art is photography, and I always thought that was really cool. Then on my mom's side, my grandpa was actually a photographer; he took photos constantly. He constantly photographed our family in my hometown (New York) and also shot other independent stuff. I think it kind of is passed down to me from my family. It's a thing that just naturally came down, and it feels weird to say it comes naturally to me, but I genuinely feel like it does.
Essentially, photography was weaved into the fabric of your childhood.
Yeah, it's always been intertwined. And I really do have a lot of love and a passion for it. So, when I first started out, I thought, let me pursue this and see what happens. I didn't have any real expectations.
What aspects of photography make you feel most alive?
Most alive? I think the technical parts do because there's a whole process behind it, especially for setting up shoots, either digital or film. You have to set up everything: the looks, the locations, the lighting style, and lens type. It's all about what you're trying to evoke or what you are trying to capture. I think it's also, to me, all just fun and play. That's how I know I really love it, and will always love it, because it's fun. I wouldn't be pursuing photography if it were otherwise. From start to finish on a project, the process is everything. I think all of my enjoyment from it goes back to that technical aspect. And then also I really enjoy working with others, because it is a collaborative effort most of the time. It could be solo work, which is excellent, but working with others is just as great, too, if not better.
Are there any aspects of the creative process that are anxiety-inducing to you?
There's that initial anxiety if I haven't met somebody before I meet them to shoot together. There is definitely a moment where I get in my head a bit. And then when I get there, it's like, oh, this is way cooler than I thought. And there are definitely some times when I get a little anxious. But once I get the first shot off or have everything set up, I have found I'm good to go.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
And how do you find these people to collaborate with?
Most of the time, I shoot with my friends. We will try to pull together and come up with ideas and get some stuff going and go from there. I've also found people to collaborate with through social media; social media has been an excellent way to make many connections and meet others. I also find people through the different jobs I get hired for too. So just like a plethora of ways.
How did you get your first photography gig?
I don't really have a solid memory of my first job, but I got into photography initially by creating the job myself. Just going out there and being a freelance photographer. Before I moved to LA when I was back in Arizona, and I was going to school, I shot for our university's event company. We had concerts and talk shows and other events that came to our school, and I photographed all those types of things. Through that, I got to learn a lot and gain invaluable experience. I learned how to perfect figuring out which shooting styles to use for different events. That field requires a different look than most other types of photography. Portrait, concerts, landscapes, events, they all have different distinct looks.
What did you go to school to study for?
I went to school to study creative media and film.
Has that been useful to you in terms of your career?
I think the connections that I made there are more valuable than the actual academics themselves. Honestly, I learned a lot of what I know on YouTube. What many call "YouTube University" has been my best friend. But just learning from people that have worked in the industry already has also helped immensely. Finding a mentor is always good, but trying to find a mentor is probably the most challenging because it is a bit of a saturated industry.
Definitely an understatement.
Exactly, you know, it is very competitive, and often people don't really want to help each other out, and there's a lot of ego. I try not to go that way, obviously, and just focus on myself.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
What you are doing as an artist shouldn’t be defined by what other people think of you/your work.
Yes! I think too many people are trying too hard to please others rather than themselves. Also, there is a lot of dumbing down the work to please others in positions of power. I really feel that it is easy to fall into the trap of setting yourself to a certain standard that will hurt you mentally. There is a lot of comparing oneself to others and copying others' work to get ahead. I think you can get inspiration from others without full-on copying their work. I'm inspired by a lot of people, even kids, on Instagram today. In the end, you gotta have self-love and appreciate the work that you're doing. You know, I think it is most important to really look back at your own work, analyze it, see what you want to do differently, and then take it from there.
That definitely is an LA trap, forgetting why you are doing the art you are doing and getting caught up in unhealthy comparison.
I love LA, but obviously, everybody knows it has that aspect to it, where it's very competitive and can be toxic. I know there are people on the perimeter of it who are able to stay true to themselves. Also, some people are entirely outside of it. If you are going to be secure in yourself, you have got to ignore the more negative aspects of LA, and I think you will realize that LA is really awesome when you do.
How have you found other like-minded people in the city?
You have to keep your energy right. That will lead you guys to find each other. This has happened to me multiple times. All my friends today are people that are caring, appreciative, self-loving, and creative people. I also have many friends that I know from college; it is always fun to write stories and collaborate with them. I've met a lot of cool people through the film world because I also do cinematography. Photography and cinematography go hand in hand. One moves, one doesn't, (obviously, I am oversimplifying it; both are different techniques and different processes). When I first came here, I didn't know anyone besides the guys that moved here from my college and my roommate. It's been a year since I moved out here from Vegas (my hometown), and it has been crazy. A year ago, I was living in Vegas. I was working with my dad. I was definitely down. I was like, I need to get out of here.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
You only moved here last year? What were you doing in Vegas?
I was working with my dad. I worked at his warehouse, and I really did like the job. He still does graphics, and he worked for this company specializing in graphics for trade shows in Vegas, which are very popular there. They'll have shows for a whole bunch of different companies. We would work on a show for a week of just weed companies presenting their products. For stuff like that, we had to install the vinyl and everything else. We wrapped a car one time; that was cool. I liked the hands-on work, but ultimately it just wasn't my environment. It was fun, and I appreciated having that job. But, it also pushed me harder and challenged me more to get out. I was like, I gotta go. I gotta go. I needed to move on.
When you got to LA, did you feel a change in your mentality all at once, or was it more of a gradual thing?
It was gradual for sure. I had to work my way up. When I got here, I had no job. I was trying to get unemployment in Nevada, and they were being ridiculous. The whole entire unemployment thing in this past year with the Pandemic and everything was a mess. There was no plan, so I wasn't able to get unemployment for over a year. I didn't get it this past year either. But I figured out how to make my own money, and I found different jobs. I did different photo jobs, different day jobs, and I was a production assistant on various projects. And then I got to work on a Hulu show. So that was amazing.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
How did you get that job?
Word of mouth. I was recommended for the position, and then I met with the show's second, and she really liked me and hired me. But when it comes to the film industry, if you're new to it, as a production assistant, people will tend to think you are too "green."
Green?
Being green means that you are someone new to the position/industry. Typically someone who is green hasn't had much experience in other settings, and so they don't know enough about the etiquette and specific rules that they have to follow or the hierarchy of a set. But since I had experience from working during college, I kind of had a sense for it already. Even so, when I first started working on set, it definitely was a little bit of a challenge, but I actually learned it all pretty quickly. They had me on walkies at first. That's usually kind of just the "bitch work," I'm not gonna lie. But it's important, though, because how else are you gonna communicate on set?
Exactly, with the power of the walkie, if you messed it up, you could take down the whole operation.
That's a lot of power. And then eventually, I became a first-team production assistant, which is dealing with the actors and making sure hair, makeup, and wardrobe are all ready. I also made sure certain props and all that stuff was ready to go before the actors were called on to set. It was a process for sure. I got yelled at a lot of times. I think that's a part of it, though. I can't remember every time I was yelled at, but some stuff is not your fault, and you'll get yelled at anyway. Being in that position definitely feels like being the punching bag sometimes. If you go into that industry, just know when you are new many people will take their frustration out on you, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's your fault. You have to just eat it, and yeah, it's kind of messed up, but I forgot about the stuff after. I would just nod and be thinking to myself, like, man, they're not talking to me. You just gotta hit him with a swift "copy," and that's it. Move on.
From last year to this year, do you feel radically different?
My whole self is not the same as when I moved to LA last year. I feel like I'm more open to doing things I wouldn't be comfortable with in the past. I'm more social. I feel like I'm better at communicating now than I was before. Still, I am learning how to be better at self-love. Obviously, that takes time. I definitely am more spiritual than I was last year.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
Has spirituality always been a part of your life?
I mean, I always felt kind of spiritual. I grew up Catholic, and I was born into a Catholic family, but we weren't "strict Catholic," we weren't always at church or anything. My mom and my family on the East Coast were a little more religious in my younger years. My dad's side has always felt more spiritual rather than religious. I've always had that sense of spirituality, but I wasn't very into any of it. Then, as I started growing up, went to college, and moved here, I became more spiritual. Because, to me, it's a self-respect thing. To me, spirituality isn't looking to someone/something for answers. It's more like listening to yourself. Trying to keep focusing on your voice/heart makes you a little stronger and more confident, and more connected to the rest of the world.
I feel the same way! I always feel more connected to myself and the world around me when I’m in nature, going on hikes or adventures.
That's one of the top things I do to get inspired for specific projects. I love to take walks in nature. There are so many different artists and different filmmakers that also talk about how nature is healing and the core of spirituality. It is. It takes you back to a different state of yourself, one you don't really get in the city.
Where is your favorite place to walk around? The mountains? The desert?
Mostly I love the mountain areas. I love the forest. I love giant pine trees. Everything smells so good. The weather's nice, and the air is crisp.
Aside from nature, what/who are your artistic inspirations?
My inspirations change from time to time. I can be inspired by a movie, a painter, or a musician. Still, I feel like I'm mainly inspired by the people around me who have taught me valuable lessons that have helped me shift my perspective on how I approach my work.
PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN MARTINEZ
If you weren’t pursuing photography in LA, what would you be doing instead?
Something in the field of Anthropology or Archeology for sure. Some "Indiana Jones" type of thing.
Like immersing yourself in other cultures? You could be like an Anthropologist/photographer!
Yes! Documentary making has always seemed so cool to me. In college, I took some anthropology classes, and we studied ancient civilizations. That was so interesting. I also learned some about archeology; I've always found those subjects so intriguing. Every time I learned something new, I remember thinking, Oh, my God, this is insane. I want to travel here. I want to go find out about this.
And, five years in the future, what do you hope to be doing? Where do you hope to be?
In general, I always want to be creating. That's something I always am trying to do: create. Not just working in photography, but music and art. I always want to be trying to make something because being creative really gives meaning and inspiration to my life. I create art for myself, but I also know that art is truly able to affect people, which makes it even more important to me. I want to be someone who helps others, for sure. And obviously, I know there'll be negatives and times where I am not doing exactly what I want, and working in this industry is not easy, but as long as I create for myself, I won't get lost.
SPOTLIGHT LA: Los Angeles has a vibrant community of creatives ranging from photographers, actors, musicians, and everything in between. Some are known, some are unknown, but they all deserve a spotlight on their talent and efforts. This column is dedicated to them.