Wake Forest Magazine invited six professional photographers, who are alumni, back to campus last spring for a challenge:

RAISE THE CAMERA AND SHOW US YOUR VIEW OF WAKE FOREST.

Joe Martinez (’06)

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Instagram: @joemartinez

I’ve had a love of photography since I was young, but it wasn’t until I arrived at Wake Forest that it became a reality as a career. I took my first photography classes with John Pickel, learning the basics of composition and light. I learned how to process film, critique my images and logged countless hours in the darkroom in Scales.

By my senior year I was interning with University photographer and mentor Ken Bennett, shooting guest speakers, events and student life around campus. I learned how to connect with my subjects, how to edit and present my work, and how shooting was just a small part of being a professional photographer. It was during these assignments that I developed my love for photographing people, and I’ve carried that passion throughout my career as a portrait photographer.

I was honored to shoot for this special issue of Wake Forest Magazine, and when thinking of a concept, I wanted to combine the beauty and simplicity of studio portraiture with what I remember most about Wake Forest: the people. It’s always a joy to be back on campus, and it was a pleasure to photograph such a diverse group of students who continue to embody everything that made my time at Wake so special.

Joe’s photos: