And he is now celebrating his 20th anniversary with the paper.
Over the years he’s snapped a host of celebrities, from Robbie Williams to Joan Collins, flown around the world capturing the football action and recorded key moments in the Evening Times’ history, such as the launch of our Yorkhill Magic Million campaign with baby Paige Lindsay.
But just as importantly, he’s covered day-to-day life in Scotland’s biggest city.
Martin, 46, said: “It’s been great fun and a privilege to photograph history unfolding and be part of it.
“I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years hold.”
Martin, who lives near Milngavie, still remembers the day in 1991 when then-picture editor Alastair Stars offered him a job at the old Albion Street offices.
He said: “I’d been freelancing since the year before. He invited me in and said, ‘The editor said you’re too young, but welcome aboard.’ We had two glasses of wine in paper cups.”
Martin, who is married to Johanna, who works for the BBC, wanted to be a photographer since he got his first camera from Boots when he was 12, which he used to snap aeroplanes.
He later went on to study photography at the former College of Building and Printing and work for local papers.
Martin, who has a 13-year-old son Mark, has won a mass of awards, including news picture of the year for his snap of a victorious Tommy Sheridan after winning his libel case against News International.
Martin had to wait hours for the big moment and compete with London photographers who were covering the event.
He said: “All the big guns were there. It was great.”
Another of Martin’s favourite shots is of Robbie Williams with the late leukaemia sufferer Johanna McVicar, who sadly died in 2005.
He said: “She was trying to raise awareness of bone marrow donors and was pals with Robbie and got him to donate.
“That was at Cameron House -- those pictures ended up in Hello magazine as we had the exclusive.”
Martin’s easy-going nature has also brought other celebs on side, including the late comedy star Rikki Fulton.
He said: “He wouldn’t let any other paper in, but I made friends with his dog Jake and that was me in.”
While Martin became resident photo expert on STV show The Hour this year, there have of course been some mishaps in the course of his career, such as last year when he was sent to capture the Tall Ship Glenlee returning to the Clyde after restoration.
Martin decided Erskine Bridge would be a good vantage point. It was a hot day, and he parked his car at one end and lugged his gear to the middle of the bridge.
Sweating, he took off his shoes, socks and jacket, and sat waiting for the ship to come into view. However, passing drivers thought he had suicidal intentions, and promptly called the police.
Martin said: “The next thing there were police cars racing towards me, lights flashing.”
To look at all of Martin’s top 10 pictures see today’s Evening Times...
