Daily Inspiration: Meet Martin Nguyen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Martin Nguyen

Martin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Seattle, Washington. Coming from a family of Vietnamese refugees, art wasn’t really seen as a practical path, which is why I never received any formal training. But despite that, I was drawn to analog photography from a young age—middle school, in fact. It started out as a practical choice, since I couldn’t afford a high-end digital camera, but film was a much more affordable way to experiment. Over time, though, it became something more. I fell in love with the hands-on process of working with film, teaching myself everything from shooting to developing.

Even though I’ve always had a passion for photography, I initially went to NYU to study social work. After two years, I decided to leave and move to Los Angeles, where I stayed with my sister and explored a new path. I worked various hospitality jobs while pursuing photography and creative projects on the side under the moniker ‘stay neutral.’ In LA, I connected with two of my closest friends and collaborators, tobi lou and glassface. Initially, I focused on photography, but over time, I expanded into video work and took on a range of creative roles. I’ve learned a lot from both tobi and glassface, who continue to be two of my biggest creative mentors. From there, I began collaborating with more artists, mainly musicians, on a variety of creative projects.

Beyond just cover art and music videos, I’ve also been creating short-form content for brands and artists, especially when they team up on unique products or campaigns. My involvement with music artists goes beyond just visuals—I’ve had the chance to contribute to the creative process in other ways too, from helping to craft song and album names to sitting in on studio sessions and offering input. It’s been a rewarding and exciting journey so far, and I’m looking forward to where it leads next.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth path, but I’ve been learning as I go, mostly through hands-on experience. I feel really fortunate to have great mentors, friends, and collaborators who’ve shared their knowledge with me along the way. In the beginning, working on large music video sets was intimidating. I’m naturally more introverted, so being on big sets with large crews sometimes made me feel a bit lost in the shuffle. It took time to find my confidence and place in those environments.

Another challenge has been the inconsistency of work. There are periods where I’m incredibly busy, followed by long stretches of downtime. That uncertainty can be tough to navigate, and even now, I find myself juggling different jobs just to keep pursuing my passion. It’s a balancing act, but each challenge has taught me something new and helped me grow, both personally and professionally.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’d say my creativity spans a lot of areas, with a strong focus on visual arts. My foundation is in analog photography, where I frequently collaborate with music artists—whether it’s shooting cover or album art, capturing stills on music video sets, documenting candid moments for social content, or producing images for merchandise. I’ve also toured with artists to capture their journey on the road.

Initially, I started out focused solely on analog stills, but over time, I expanded into video work. What really resonated with me was the ability to capture raw, authentic moments in music. My goal is always to bring something fresh and genuine to each project. Music videos, in particular, have been a way for me to create entire worlds around a song, using layered textures and mediums to make each one stand out.

My role with music artists often extends beyond visuals—I’ve contributed to the creative process in other ways, from helping to name songs and albums to sitting in on studio sessions and offering creative input.
One of my proudest moments was seeing a name I came up with become the title of an album. Another was having images I shot not only become album cover art but also appear on merchandise, seeing it come to life in a tangible way.

What sets me apart as an artist is my distinct perspective and creative approach. Beyond the visuals, my work often evokes a sense of nostalgia, drawing heavily on film, VHS, and analog aesthetics. I take pride in blending this unique visual language with the vision of others, making each collaboration a meaningful expression.

Beyond my work with artists, I’m also an avid cook and have been building a platform called ‘neutral kitchen,’ where I combine my creative skills with my passion for cooking.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that the ability to create is always within me, even during slower periods when work isn’t as consistent. It’s important to continue creating for myself, not just for external projects. Staying curious and open to learning is also essential because there’s always so much more to discover. Another key realization has been how collaborative work can make the creative process smoother. I used to take on everything by myself, but I’ve learned to trust others and share the responsibility. Collaborating with the right people can bring new energy and perspective to a project, and that has made a huge difference in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stayneutral.net
• Instagram: @stayneutral

Image Credits
Personal Photo shot by : Kevin Ramones (Instagram: @whoworksanymore )
Photo of me wearing military green pants shooting a live performance video in a studio with a white cyc wall Photo shot by : Qurissy Lopez (Instagram: @qurissy)
Photo of me recording in front of a digital screen is a still from the music video ” tobi lou – Pretty Much ”
All other photos shot by myself