For the love of photography
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/02/2025 (584 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Riley Martin could not imagine a more rewarding job. Travelling to breathtaking locations, meeting fascinating people, and capturing their stories through his camera lens is his everyday reality. Though Martin laughs at the notion that he “fell into” photography as a career, his nine-year-old self seemed to predict it long ago.
In a time capsule project recently unearthed by his fourth-grade teacher from his hometown of Glenboro, Man., Martin had written, “In the future, I will be a professional photographer traveling lots for work.”
Reflecting on the discovery, Martin chuckles, “It’s nice that nine-year-old Riley was on top of it. I didn’t even realize I was tapping into something from a childhood dream.”
Photo supplied by Riley Martin
When Riley Martin started his photography business, Riley Martin Media, he didn’t realize that he predicted his future when he was nine years old.
In 2019, just before the pandemic, Martin accepted a freelance photography contract that required him to juggle his day job while establishing his own business. He recalls, “I thought, ‘Wait a minute. I have all these friends, family, and others reaching out for photos and editing. Why not start building a client base alongside my job?’ By the time my first contract ended, I had enough clients to go full-time with my business.”
Martin’s passion for storytelling dates back to his childhood. He loved writing stories and, after getting a video camera, turned his tales into action-packed adventures.
“My best friend – who’s still my best friend – and I used to film each other jumping off hay bales and doing action sequences. It evolved into creating fun, engaging stories.”he said.
Today, Martin’s work includes event photography and videography, creating marketing and promotional content for organizations, and providing professional headshots and team photos. His client list includes notable names like Recycle Everywhere, Firehouse Subs, Standard Aero, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Winnipeg Airport Authority (for an accessibility campaign), and the City of Selkirk’s waterfront concert series.
“It’s kind of like, wow, this doesn’t really feel like a workday. This whole journey has been an amazing experience – trying new things and meeting new people. Every day is a little different,” Martin shares.
One of the highlights of his career was traveling by floatplane to southern Nunavut to document the Sayisi Dene culture days.
“I spent two weeks learning about and with the Sayisi Dene people – berry picking, caribou hunting, processing meats, and making jam from what we gathered on the land. It was an incredible experience,” he says.
“I would have paid for something like that, but instead, I was being paid to do it. That was one of those pinch-me moments. Sleeping in a tent on the tundra, hearing the fire crackling – it was unbelievable. I love my work.”
To view Riley Martin’s work, visit his website at rileymartinmedia.com. You can contact him at rileymartinmedia@gmail.com