Downtown Frederick Art Icons Get Hitched!

This spring, I had the pleasure of photographing one of the most fun and inspiring, weddings I’ve photographed. Downtown Frederick, Maryland art icons Kayleigh Montgomery and Chris Morris were engaged to be married, and of all the amazing analog shooters in the area, I was fortunate enough to be tapped to cover their festive occasion. […]

Wedding Receptions on Film; No Flash, No Automation

Say what you will about wedding photography but few other gigs will allow you to party with beautiful people without having to even know a single dance move. My wife and I are freelance wedding photographers. She shoots digital and I shoot on b&w 35mm film. I use vintage, all manual cameras and lenses and […]

The Voigtländer 15mm 4.5 Heliar & An Introduction to Rectilinear Super Wides

What are your go-to focal lengths? I shoot most of my work within the 50-90mm range. But everyone needs a jump-start to their creativity once in a while. A different lens can help us take our work in different directions but also can improve what we already do. Yes, folks, the equipment matters. Previously, I […]

A Bride’s Guide to Gorgeous Wedding Photos

Hey brides! I’m Johnny Martyr and I’ve been photographing weddings since 2001 when I interned with one of the highest rated wedding photographers in Baltimore. Almost two decades later, I am still passionate about weddings and now I have the added pleasure of photographing them with my wife, Stephanie Lee. Our work has been published […]

The Wedding of Arthur & Michael

Recently, I was privileged to photograph Arthur and Michael’s classy, intimate wedding at the Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD. The event would consist of a small ceremony followed by an upscale dinner with only a handful of close friends and family in attendance. It’s an honor when anyone hires you for a wedding, but particularly […]

Go-To Portrait Lens: Nikkor 85mm 1.8 K AI’d

A lens that has been a long-time staple in my Nikon kit, since about 2005 actually, is my Nikkor 85mm 1.8 K AI’d. I chose the 85/1.8 for the reasons many people reach for an 85/1.8; available light portrait work and a little smaller, lighter, less expensive, easier to control lens than an […]

Leitz 5cm f2 Summitar

When we think of Leica, the second thing we often think of is Summicron. But before Leica formulated their legend, there was a lesser known yet still quite remarkable nifty 50. Thanks to having been overshadowed by the Cron, this very capable Leitz 50/2 is usually available for less than $400. That’s right, I’m talking […]