Heather Elder Represents

Cade Martin

STILLS + MOTION

Cade Martin

“If you never move beyond your comfort zone and never scratch that itch, you will never find the beauty that lies in the unfamiliar.”

The only child of a university art professor and a freethinker mother, I grew up surrounded by shapes and images. My love of the arts grew out of summers filled with trips to galleries, museums, and art studios. At home, I often found myself around the dinner table surrounded by an eclectic cast of characters — sculptors, writers, painters, creatives. They paraded through my childhood, shaping my art foundation as well as forming an understanding of a community and an appreciation for the candid beauty found in people from all walks of life.

I’m an only child, and like a lot of only children, I grew up surrounded by adults and invented my own worlds in my head. I’ve always been a daydreamer and my primary school years were often filled with my mind wandering to what I’d found and expanded upon in movies and comic books. I’ve been reading comics since I was a little boy and they are a big part of who I am. Tintin is my favorite fictional character of all time, and Tintin adventures are what I always wanted to have.

Films and comics have taken me everywhere, and the lack of boundaries in both has been an ongoing inspiration. They continue to be some of the greatest and most important influences in my life as well as my image making. I strive for each image I create to evoke the feeling of a frame out of a filmstrip, a narrative living beyond any one moment.

To capture these moments, I always challenge myself and work with the best team possible – every image should be portfolio worthy. And while I pride myself on photographing as much as possible in-camera, post-production is also a time for experimentation – for tweaking, testing, maybe introducing something new and beautifying. It is this process that, I believe, elevates the imagery, and adds magic all its own.

But I also believe that man cannot live by that magic alone, that one must continue to seek out surprise and delight where it is- and that spontaneity is what brings that adventure to life. So often my personal projects are realized this way, sparked by something small, and just as often I take that idea – seizing an opportunity – and run with it on a moment’s notice.

My thirst for capturing adventures really took hold while hopping trains in India for National Geographic and taught me to be comfortable with the unknown. As a result – I have learned to get by with less, so that when the inspiration hits, I’m mobile, and always ready.

Through it all, the artists and characters from my childhood continue to be top of mind, my constant companions that serve as a reminder that if you never move beyond your comfort zone and never scratch that itch, you will never find the beauty that lies in the unfamiliar. I have learned to value that surprise truly, and it’s my photography that takes me there.

Currently, and taking a cue from my parents before me, I believe it is more important than ever to foster community. And the best way I know to do that is to get out, to invite people to come together and to create a sense of belonging. Whether it’s hosting a monthly yoga class in my studio, having inspirational speakers, time spent talking with the brand innovators of tomorrow at the university I attended, or mentoring those that might be interested in photography – I want my work to go beyond the images I create and I want to be a part of a creative community that inspires people to support and nurture one another.

Going forward, I see myself continuing to seek out new opportunities – whether it’s creating a pop-up studio or fusing motion with print. I intend to tell the stories of the characters I will meet along the way, real or imagined – the result being the perfect combination of those comic books and movie influences of my youth.

Cade's Projects

PROJECTS

Cade Martin Captures the Timeless “Faces of Cuba” Through Personal Exploration

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PROJECTS

Cade Martin and the Richmond Ballet

Cade's imagery for The Richmond Ballet's new season marketing campaign - A Stroke of Genius, celebrates the collaboration between choreographer and dancer.

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PROJECTS

Cade Martin's 96 Hours in Istanbul: Activating Kids for Sun & Sand Sports

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PROJECTS

Where Talent Meets Heart: Cade Martin’s Creative Journey with Hair & Makeup Stylist Dean Krapf and Friends

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PROJECTS

Embracing the Unexpected: Cade Martin's 'A Fish Story'

While some take the road less traveled, Cade Martin takes detours to bring him to the unexpected. His imagination is such that he has learned not to fear the unknown, but to embrace it.

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PROJECTS

Capturing the Resilience of Real-Life Heroes: Cade Martin's Project with The Wounded Warrior Project

Cade Martin's project with the Wounded Warriors Project reminded him of the profound impact his work can have. Through his lens, he was able to capture the incredible resilience and strength of the warriors who have given so much to their country.

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Cade's News

NEWS

Cade Martin's Spy Museum Series Wins "Best-in-Show" in This Year's Communication Arts Photography Competition

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NEWS

Cade Martin Wins “Best of Show” at 2023 AAFDC American Advertising Awards

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NEWS

Cade Martin Earns Two Honorable Mentions From IPA Awards

Cade’s images “Rainbow Room” and “Mackayla” both received honorable mention in the Advertising: Brand Campaign category. 

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NEWS

Cade Martin Was Selected as One of Archive’s 200 Best Photographers

With his imaginative imagery and concepts, it’s no surprise that Luerzer's Archive chose his work!

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NEWS

Communication Arts Awards Cade Martin For His March of Dimes Image

Congratulations to Cade Martin on earning a place in the Communication Arts Photo Annual for his March of Dimes imagery. 

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PROJECTS,NEWS

Cade Martin and Kicking the Tires on a New Portfolio Experience

Cade Martin is one of the first ones in the family to fully tackle this big of a portfolio evolution.

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