C L A S S I C    P A R I S

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Peter Martin was born in Toronto, Canada and developed his first pictures at the age of 13.  He became a professional at 16 when a photo was published on the front page of a Toronto daily newspaper. At 17 he began free-lancing and continued his career as a staff photographer for newspapers in 3 Canadian cities: Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal. He has since covered more than 10,000 assignments over a 40-year career and has traveled extensively on assignment throughout North America, Europe, the Orient and the South Pacific photographing sports, fashion, portraits and in depth features. In 2004 he resigned from the Montreal Gazette after 16 years on staff to pursue personal projects

Peter has won significant critical recognition for his work including a Canadian National Newspaper Award and Recognition of Achievement Awards from both the Ontario and Alberta News Photographers Association.

In 2008 his photograph of Canadian hero Terry Fox was chosen by Canada's National History Society as one of "10 IMAGES THAT CHANGED CANADA". The photo, at number 4, was chosen by a select group of Canada's premier photographers, photo-editors and photography instructors who were asked to select 10 photos from Canada's past that, they felt, had the greatest influence and impact on the country.

His photography has been displayed in several solo and numerous group exhibits in Canada the US and Europe. In 2009 his work was recognized by the Leica Fotografie International Magazine in Germany.

“A fertile source of motivation has always been music. For me these images represent my own symphony. Visually they should be able to transport us to a place or memory or idea that inspires or warms our hearts.  Light, shadow, texture...the visual architecture…they all work together the way a great lyric and melody blend together. I think there is too much importance placed on analysis and dissection of individual pieces of art and photography. The bottom line is how the work speaks to us emotionally, viscerally...and most importantly...how does it make us feel.”