The only child of a university art professor and freethinker mother, Cade Martin grew up surrounded by shapes and images. His love of art grew out of summer vacations filled with trips to galleries, museums, and art studios. At home he often found himself around the dinner table with an eclectic cast of characters—sculptors, writers, painters. They paraded through his childhood, shaping his art foundation and forming his appreciation for the candid beauty found in people from all walks of life. Cade’s been chasing characters ever since. He seeks out their stories—told through the architecture of their faces or the costumes they wear—whether he’s on a commercial production or setting up an Avedon-like photo booth at Comic-Con. They are the heroes in his pictures.

His thirst for capturing adventures took its hold while shooting stills on movie sets and then as a photographer for National Geographic covering the railways in India. And it is that sense of adventure that Cade brings to his productions, elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary with a cinematic touch. It’s not just a picture. He’s committed to the experience, building beautiful environments and, sometimes for his portraits, simply building trust.

A talented storyteller, Cade splits his time between the East and West Coasts creating images for editorial, advertising, fashion, and lifestyle clients.