We recently connected with Marty Morris and have shared our conversation below.

Marty, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project actually started out as a cold email at the beginning of Covid. At the time I was living in San Antonio and the latest issue of San Antonio Magazine was delivered to my door. It was the annual food issue and highlighted the best restaurants in and around the San Antonio area. I reached out to the art director and editor in chief via email and expressed an interest in working with them as a contributing photographer. Prior to Covid I was more of an event and portrait photographer so this even caught me by surprise but I reached out anyway. Much to my surprise, two weeks later I received and email from the art director with a thanks but no thanks reply but if I ever had story ideas to pitch I should feel free to reach out again. I replied with, “I have three story ideas I would love to run past you”. We jumped on a call the following afternoon and my first two ideas fell short but number three really piqued his interest. This was 2020 and we celebrated the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote so I pitched them on female fighter pilots in the US Air Force. Short story made long is after 6 months of working with USAF Public Affairs and SA Mag we were given the green light for a story and photo shoot. What started as an interest in food photography turned into a piece on female pilots. The article appeared in the May 2021 issue of SA Magazine and came on the heels of International Women’s Day. To just be in the presence of these amazing women on the flight line was truly an experience of a lifetime.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. I’ve been a contributing photographer at San Antonio Magazine, focusing on the Eat + Drink section, since 2020 and have over 30 years of experience specializing in portrait, food and editorial photography. In April 2022 I was recognized as one of the top 12 editorial photographers in San Antonio and ranked #1.

What sets me apart is my willingness to listen to the client and create a unique shoot based on our combined vision and refusing to be constricted by genre. I love shooting portraits of all types (executive, lifestyle, family, senior, engagement and family) but food and editorial work are areas I’m super passionate about as well. When the top 12 editorial photographers were announced by Peerspace one of the lines I most appreciated was: “If niches define a photographer, then Marty Morris defies them”. That makes me happy. You can read the article at: https://www.peerspace.com/resources/best-san-antonio-editorial-photographers/

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Covid 19 initiated a change for all of us. I was a portrait and event photographer that found a new direction in food and editorial work that I’m not sure I would have found otherwise. We couldn’t travel, we could barely dine out, and many businesses and schools were temporarily closed. I love to cook and decided to start photographing my own cooking as a means of staying sane. That lead to sending the email to SA Magazine which got me both food and editorial assignments. It’s changed my portfolio, my vision of what I want to create as a photographer and my life.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being open to client input to help them achieve their vision and being fun to work with. That vision could be an awesome executive portrait session, delivering content to an art director that beats the deadline, amazing photos for a client’s website or that special moment for a graduating senior. At the end of the day it’s about creating great photos and great experiences and I aspire to deliver on both.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mpmphotography.com
• Instagram: mpm_photo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069914807854
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-morris-3b554313/

Image Credits
Marty Morris