Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruthie Martin.
Hi Ruthie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As long as I can remember I have been taking photos. In middle school I would gather friends together for “photoshoots” and in high school, I got a more formal start to photography by doing friend’s senior photos and family photos.
College is where I really stepped into photography more fully. I was the designer for my school’s magazine. We would feature students and needed photos for each layout. I ended up organizing and executing shoots for almost all of the features in the last issue I designed. That’s where I started to gain competence as I was shooting very regularly. From that point on, my story probably looks similar to many young photographers starting out. I got connected with some recent graduates who were looking for a low-budget photographer for their wedding. I jumped at the opportunity and shot my first wedding. I posted one photo from that on social media and the rest feels like history. Slowly the trickle of wedding clients started rolling in and within two years from that first wedding, I had 12 weddings booked a year.
Now over six years later my love for capturing people’s stories has grown in heart and depth. I have found infinite meaning in documenting moment’s that people can never get back. I have shifted toward documentary-style photography, honing in on honest moments that contain memories people can relive for a lifetime. I want my clients and couples to look back on their wedding day or photo session to remember true, honest memories, not staged or posed moments.
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?
The road has been rocky, but well worth it. When I started out with photography I lived in Tennessee. I grew up there and attended college all in the East Tennessee area. A few years after college, I had always wanted the experience of moving cross country, so I took the leap and moved to Texas. Since being here, it’s been a struggle to rebuild my network of clients and friends. I am not a natural marketer, and have found the most meaningful way of growing my clientele is through real, honest connections with people, even though it’s a slower process. I struggle to balance the desire to regain clients quickly, while also the desire to stay authentic to myself and craft, instead of falling into trends to gain attention. Honestly, I wrestle to contribute to the world of social media trends to gain clients, but ultimately desire to work with couples who value being present with themselves and their partner on their wedding day. In a society that is image-conscious, and has an immense focus on being relevant, it’s hard to show up in the photography industry wanting to prioritize photos that are about preserving memories and creating heritage for families. I’m still in the process with what it looks like to bring a balance of social relevance to the table while being grounded in the heart of my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I already touched on this in previous questions, but I would say I specialize in documentary-style wedding & lifestyle photography and this is what sets me apart from other photographers. Since shifting my perspective on my work a few years ago, I have found approaching photography in this mindset is deeply meaningful. It becomes so much more than catching good light or a good angle, it’s about creating something to last a lifetime.
It’s the hug your grandma gives you on your wedding day, or the whisper your dad says into your ear before you walk down the aisle. It’s about capturing moments you can’t get back. I have had past clients reach out to tell me that someone who was at their wedding, a dear friend or family member, had passed away, and how they treasure the photos taken of them during that time. This is what makes the job meaningful, that life is precious, love endures from age to age, and time is a gift.
Photos help us remember when our minds get fuzzy. They help us hold moments close that can feel far away, it’s a way to connect to what has passed.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
This ones hard. Hmm…
I think that people who hire me for photography think I am very serious because I tend to be heart forward and emotional. While this is true, I do love a deep conversation and will probably tear up multiple times on your wedding day, also love a good party. So at the reception, you can find me in the middle of the dance floor taking pictures, but also busting a little bit of a move while I do it 😉
Contact Info:
- Website: ruthiemartin.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: @ruthiemartin_photo
- Facebook: @ruthiemartinphoto
Image Credits
All photo credits are Ruthie Martin
