Today we’d like to introduce you to Marty Morris.
Hi marty, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My Photography Journey
I launched my photography business in 2009, starting out as an event photographer for the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). Alongside capturing powerful moments at events, I also focused on portraits and headshots, finding a passion for showcasing people at their most confident and authentic.
When the world changed in 2020 due to the pandemic, I pivoted to food, beverage, and editorial photography—telling visual stories for San Antonio Magazine and other publications. This shift allowed me to hone my style and creativity in new ways, and in 2022, I was honored to be named the #1 editorial photographer in San Antonio.
That same year, I took a leap and moved to Los Angeles, where I now work as a commercial photographer specializing in portraits, headshots, lifestyle, and editorial work. My focus is always on capturing the story behind the image—whether it’s a person, a product, or a moment.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s like most journeys in that it has ups and downs so the key is to have more ups than downs. I don’t call mine struggles so much as obstacles and many of those were internal. When you aren’t getting the work or assignments it’s easy to spiral into doubting yourself vs. being curious about why you aren’t getting them. I experienced that with SA Mag and eventually reached out to the art director for an answer. Turned out it had nothing to do with my work but the magazine had moved in a different direction with the style of photography they were showcasing. It would have been easy to sit in the unknown and beat myself up but, by asking “why”, it turned in to getting more assignments by adjusting to their new direction. My biggest obstacles were: Not having a solid (or any) business plan, questioning how to price my services and not identifying my target clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today I specialize in portraits, headshots, event and lifestyle photography. While my target clients are centered around professionals in the legal and financial services industries I love nothing better than working with other artists like models, sculptors, painters and actors. I’m proud to play a part in the Human Rights Campaign by telling the LGBTQ+ stories with my camera. And lastly, my lighting, composition and Black & White images are my differentiators and probably what people notice about my work.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
YES! I had no idea how much this could help me until I took a workshop with a well known headshot photographer. 2 1/2 years later I still get invited to his workshops when he’s in town and it has been instrumental in helping me find my lighting style. Taking a workshop can also help you build a community to bounce ideas off of and learn new things. I’ve hired and been hired by other photographers/videographers for projects we couldn’t have pulled off without help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mpmphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpm_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marty.morris.602816
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-morris-3b554313/
