Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Mark Martinez @mjaymartinez_

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

Hii, I’m Mark Martinez, people call me Mjay for short, well not really haha. I am currently pursuing my dreams of being a professional photographer and I am from San Diego, CA. But there is always a story of how you got into photography. I met my good friend, Peter, and he showed me everything what photography has in store. I was really interested in trying it so I took a photography class my Freshman year in high school. I really got into it, with all the researches I did and looking at the history behind photography really pulled me in even closer to it. Then I got my first camera. I thought it was the right camera and really good camera to have. My friend Peter was really excited for me and he then told me if there’s a dial on it and if it was a Dslr. I had no idea what he was talking about. He showed me and told me what it was and I felt so embarrassed. Having the camera that was not even close to taking great pics unlike the others that was out there and always shooting Automatic was not cool. But I realized, a camera is a camera, so I kept using it and playing with it every single day, even though it was 10x harder because of it being a point and shoot didn’t stop me from shooting. As I grew and grew from photography and my work, I was saving up for a camera I really wanted, a Canon EOS 70d. When I saved up to half of the price, my dad said he’d pay the other half, which is a total of $1,300. I couldn’t belive that I was gonna get my dream camera, then when I went to Best Buy to go look, they said the camera was out of stock, but they said they had one which was a bundle but you had to pay with credit. My dad was really hesitating to buy it and then he said next time, I was really down and bummed so I walked out of the store. I walked back in, and there I see my dad paying for something, I thought he was paying for the things my little brother and sister got then I see my CAMERA being paid. I was really shocked and happy. I practically had my job in my very own hands. I was very thankful and happy of being able to have that kind of dad in my life, and this day on, it still touches me.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

My topic of interest is photography and art in general. These two topics and make me go on forever in a conversation. Its just two things I’m really passionate about and what I love doing. In my Instagram, I post lots of pictures and sometimes vids. My pictures are mostly street and architectural. I really enjoy posting these type of pics on my instagram. The videos I post are sometimes a recap from a previous photoshoot or just an edit in general.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Well, my instagram name is not to much of a story but my older brother, who I really look up to inspires me so much, and pushes me a lot to do better. His instagram name is @bjaymartinez_ and so I decided to put mine similar to his by changing my name to @mjaymartinez_. Having my name similar to his is really special to me. Everytime I look at my name, it makes me think of my brother, who inspires me so much to make me where I’m at as a person today.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

The apps I use to edit my photos are Vscocam, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Lightroom. I first edit on Adobe Photoshop for fixing up the lighting with camera RAW by adjusting my blacks and whites. I balance my photos on there then I move on to Adobe lightroom to do the editing and filters. I use both laptop and mobile app. Vscocam is my alternative app in adjusting stuff and adding filters to my photo.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

One instagrammer I really admire is @alozor. He is a local San Diego person like me and his work is really breath taking. The instagrammer that really inspires me is @sweatuhh. He also lives in San Diego as well. The reason why he really inspires me is the work and style he has that is similar like mine. When someone has the same style just like you, there is always that strong connection you have with them, and thats the connection I have with him as a role model. He takes pictures in Downtown a lot just like me and that’s what makes it even a stronger bond. His work and style gives me an andrenaline rush to just go out and shoot.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

One thing my fellow Instagrammers gotta try now is going on top of a roof for a really great view of your surrounding. It sounds risky but life is all about risks. Life would be boring without risks.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

My favorite part of being an influencer is the postive comments you get from people. Motivating people and inspiring people, there is nothing greater than that. It just shows the moral support you get from time to time, and I’m really humbled and thankful for that.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

My top tips to brands for running campaigns is just keep working, keep a postive vibe and don’t let anything take you down. Keep a postive outlook for people. Make them as if they were part of the brand and share the positivity you have with them.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

My advice is do you as who you are as a person right now. Don’t copycat all these other people and keep it one hundred percent positive to yourself. Don’t reflect yourself with others, just refect on yourself. Stay positive and stay humble. And originality can always be looked up as new to others, always remember that.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

What I like best about partnering with brands is having the opportunity to meet new people. Coming across people as well. It’s a great feeling meeting someone new, it’s like accomplishing a goal you’ve always had in mind for a long time, but repeatedly over and over and over.

Topics:

• Architecture
• Art
• Photography

Country:

United States of America