José María Martinez

José is a professional photographer living in the American Southwest. His eye for the photographic world is inspired by the masters such as Eliottt Porter, Edward Curtis, Robert Doisneau, Richard Avedon, Kurt Markus, Michel Comte and Sebastião Salgado. Similarly, a key component to José’s artistry is his understanding of light and use of imagery to bring attention to the diversity of our cultural and natural surroundings.

José grew up on a ranch in Southern California raising cattle and farming alfalfa. He later attended Northern Arizona University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in photography. While attending university he became particularly interested in portrait and fashion photography. José pursued these ambitions to become a professional photographer in New York City. He assisted the likes of Albert Watson, Michel Comte, Patrik Andersson and others while in New York. The scope of work included projects for Rolling Stone, Vogue, Details Magazine, Prada, Levi’s, Time Magazine, Warner Brothers, The Gap and many others.

Working with said artists opened his mind to the many aspects of professional photography. Although many were fashion photographers, they also shot landscape, still life and documentary projects. It was the pure love for the art form that mattered and what guided José as he ventured out on his own to eventually becoming a professional photographer in his own right. During this time, José was chosen as one of the top 100 alumni at Northern Arizona University and asked to speak at the School of Communications commencement for the 100-year anniversary of Northern Arizona University.

Since then, José has continued to work in the photography world and has held positions as a photo editor and photo producer in New York, Boston and Los Angeles. Jose has been shooting as a commercial photographer for the last 25 years. His assignments have taken him on various adventures throughout the world across North America, Europe, the islands of the Caribbean the Grenadines, and Mexico. These experiences have influenced his photography and cultivated many friendships along the way.

Now, alongside mastering photography, José has become a milliner of bespoke cowboy hats with his business Spur Hat Company (www.spurhats.com) @spurhats.

Favorite Quotes

“To the oft-asked question, What camera or lens do you use? I can only reply I couldn’t tell to save my soul _ it is enough for me to know that I have something that will make pictures and that is in working order.”

– Edward S. Curtis

“Ask yourself: “Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream?”

– Ansel Adams