Since childhood, Adrian Martin wanted to be a part of the fashion world in some form. He was his family's unofficial personal photographer, always acting as a fly on the wall and a master observer, aiming to capture people in their most raw, authentic state. What he did as a child is not so different from what he does as a career now: shooting celebrities, mostly on film, in their homes or hotel rooms as they prepare to step out onto red carpets and into the spotlight in the most glamorous of clothes. Martin captures the quiet, intimate moments that come before the hectic chaos of celebrity life—including those of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson, Greta Lee, Solange, Austin Butler, and so many more.
Growing up in Cavite, Philippines and now residing in Los Angeles, California, Martin loves his new city for the access that he has to talent and other creatives—as well as for the food, hiking, and workout classes that you can find him doing when he’s not working.
Ahead, we pick Adrian Martin’s brain about working with the biggest stars, what makes a great photo, and his “Heated Rivalry” obsession.
Adrian Martin
What's your star sign and do you relate?
"I'm a Virgo and yes, I relate. I'm a massive Virgo. In terms of work, I'm a perfectionist. But then in some areas I can be type B, like I tend to forget things. But if I don't finish certain things, it will affect my whole day."
What three words best describe how you're feeling right now?
"Hungry, happy, and content."
What color is your aura?
"I would say brown. Because it's kind of neutral and it's also my favorite color, aside from black and white."
Adrian Martin
How and when did you know that you wanted to be an artist?
"Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be in fashion. I wanted to be a stylist, but then I realized it's not easy to become a stylist in LA. I think being a photographer is one of my tools to express what I feel."
When were you introduced to photography?
"Honestly, I was the family photographer since I was a kid. I was always the one taking photos of a family and being a fly on the wall. When I first moved to America in 2015 and realized it's hard to get a job as a stylist, I started working in retail. I worked at Zara for years and then I was pulled out of that retail job and started working as a creative director. I started working for a blogger and just started shooting stuff, and that's how I built my network. In terms of shooting celebrities, it started during Covid because I do a lot of intimate shoots where you don't need a lot of people on set. I would just come into their homes to shot and capture them."
What's the first camera you bought yourself?
"I think it was a Nikon D700."
Do you still use that camera?
"No, I'm leaning towards film cameras now."
Adrian Martin
Adrian Martin
What do you think the biggest difference is between film and digital?
"With the AI stuff and the rise of perfectionism, film is effortless and imperfect. Sometimes it's blurry or not too bright. Sometimes you don't know what you're gonna get until you have it and that's the beauty of film, especially in this world where everything seems so perfect."
What is your favorite camera?
"My favorite camera is the Contax G1. I could just use that one camera forever. I don't need a lot of cameras."
How would you describe your style of photography?
"My style is just capturing real people. I love shooting behind the scenes or before the red carpet event because you can capture who they really are before they step into the actual world. It's cool to see the realness of it."
Adrian Martin
How does your Filipino heritage influence your artistry?
"I think as an immigrant in general, you tend to be more of an observer than a performer. I think being an immigrant, I know how to read the room and as Filipino, I think I'm very kind and I know how to work with people. I know when to step in and when to not. I just think reading the room is so important these days and I think some people don't have that skill."
How would you describe your relationship with fashion and personal style?
"Fashion is my inspiration. Without it, I wouldn't be a photographer. For personal style, I like minimal and classic. I stick to a uniform. I like wearing the same thing but different fits and colors."
What is the biggest misconception about being a photographer?
"Honestly, that it's about the camera. It's not. Sometimes I get offended when people ask: what's your camera? But then I'm like: it's not the camera, it's the overall collaboration of people—the subject, their stylist, and their glam."
Adrian Martin
What's your on-set relationship like with the celebrities you shoot?
"I tend to separate work and friendship. On-set, I don't act like we're friends. I set boundaries, but at the same time I want them to feel comfortable. I think as a celebrity, you always have people wanting to get close to you and people tend to overstep. I just kind of let them be. I think, again, that's about reading the room."
To you, what makes a great photo?
"In a great photo, you see an actual emotion. It's about the emotion in the face."
Do you think it's part of your job to bring that emotion out?
"Yes. That's why I think making people comfortable is so important. Some people won't give you anything when they're not comfortable. I'm not very directive and I want it feel more like a documentary when I shoot. I don't like it when it feels too posed because you lose that realness."
Adrian Martin
Adrian Martin
What's your proudest work accomplishment?
"My mom didn't understand what I do until I shot Kendall Jenner. Because I had to quit my 9-5 job and she was like: why? Then she saw my work shooting celebrities and was like: okay, I get it now."
Can you teach someone how to be a great photographer?
"You can teach people technically maybe, but in terms of an eye, you can't really. That's so hard to teach. It's about how you see the world and how you see people. I'm also so excited about fashion, so I think I have that eye too. I get so excited to shoot them in pieces that I've seen on the runway."
What photographers are you a fan of?
"In Hollywood, I love Greg Williams in terms of how he captures celebrities in a more casual way. I also like how he covers awards season. I also love Wolfgang Tillmans. His work is very documentary and he shot Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' album cover from 2016. He also cares about the world. He talks about what's happen and I think being aware is important."
Adrian Martin
What do you have coming up for the rest of awards season?
"In this industry, everyone is so last minute. So I don't know yet. But the Oscars are always busy for me."
What's your favorite restaurant in LA?
"I would say Bavel. It's Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food and just so good."
What's entertaining you lately?
"I just watched that show 'Heated Rivalry.' Everyone's talking about it. I didn't want to watch it at first because everyone was talking about it. But after one episode, I understood. And then I shot the guy for the Golden Globes! It was cool. The girls and the gays are freaking out. Those are the most comments I've got on an Instagram post."
Adrian Martin
Do you believe in manifestation?
"Oh, yeah. I think I manifested this. Everything I do now is because I manifested it."
What are you manifesting for 2026?
"I think for this year, I'm manifesting my own coffee table book. I'm trying to work on that. As a Virgo, I'm such a perfectionist but I think I just have to do it."
How would you describe your perfect day?
"A perfect day for me when I'm not working would be silence. Just me and my thoughts."
