Interview with a Local: Photographer Martin Gollery

Chances are, you've already come across Martin Gollery's photography. From capturing the recent glimmering pink and purple hues of the rare aurora over Sand Harbor, to wakesurfers riding out giant waves from alpine storms, to musicians and artisans headlining local events, Martin, or Marty as he is fondly known around town, has captured the essence and adventurous spirit of Lake Tahoe for many years. Not only is he active in galleries, magazine covers and star-studded events, he also has a growing social media account where he shares landscapes, action shots, portraits, advice, behind-the-scenes adventures and hot takes about the industry and conservation principles for keeping the lake as pristine as he captures it.

I was fortunate to recently have the chance to chat with Marty about his photography journey and his favorite spots in Tahoe and how he is evolving his social media as it rapidly changes the landscape of the industry. I also got to talk with him about how to stay inspired as a photographer and explorer in Lake Tahoe and beyond. His advice? Stay curious. "That curiosity is what can lead you to magic."

Keep reading for my interview with Marty. I hope it inspires you to follow your passion and create an authentic life of adventure, just as much as it did with me!

All of these amazing photos are by Martin Gollery.

Kayakers enjoy the tranquil, glassy waters that make Lake Tahoe an international icon.

Tell us a bit about your photography journey. How did you get started in your career, and what ultimately led to you making Tahoe your home base?

I grew up in Southern California in a big family that went camping often. I took time off from college to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on my way to a chemistry degree. I lived in the Bay area after college and took classes in commercial photography through UC Berkeley Extension. I have worked in aerospace and for the oil industry, as a science teacher and as a scientist and marketer. I was doing photography on the side, occasionally selling an image to a magazine or photographing a wedding. Since I was going to the mountains, I always wanted small and light cameras and so I stuck with the Olympus brand. I started taking photo classes and winning photography contests in college, but it was never my full-time job until recently.

 

I've done marketing for a number of startup companies, and they would fail due to lack of funding or because their technology was not ready. Finally, my wife asked me why I didn't market my own stuff rather than trying to market other people's stuff! So, I made the leap and went full time into photography. 

 

I tend to keep my landscape photography and people photography separate. When I include people in my landscape photos, I always get pushback from followers. 

 

A rare sighting of the Northern Lights above Incline Village.

 

What are some of your favorite shots, taken in Lake Tahoe, and the stories behind them?

 

Much of the time I'm on my own, so when I get to work with wonderful people it is especially great! I have met some fantastic families, models and other artists. 

 

Back in May I found myself perched just a few inches above the level of the lake at midnight while the Northern Lights sparkled overhead. I was all by myself. It was dead quiet, and the feeling was absolutely magical! 

 

You capture landscape, wedding, portrait, lifestyle, commercial and real estate photography. You really do it all! What does a typical "day in the life" look like for you?

 

All the gurus tell you to find a niche and stick with it. That has never been my style! Perhaps I would be more successful if I did stick to one a single niche, but I think I would get bored. 

 

I spend a lot of time communicating with potential clients, making plans, dreaming of new camera gear that I could buy and especially working on the computer! I get outside to go hiking almost every day, trying to stay in shape and always looking for new possible photo locations. 

 

My work is carried in stores around the Reno Tahoe area, in places like the Tahoe Trunk Show, Cuppa Tahoe and a store in Incline Village called Handmade at the Lake. So, working with them and keeping them stocked with calendars, books, coffee mugs and stickers is always crucial.

 

But, really, I spent an awful lot of time looking at the computer!

 

Autumn brings a chance to see orange and yellow leaves lining the trails.

 

I think Tahoe is magical year-round, but I know everyone has a favorite season, especially when it comes to photography. What is your favorite season? 

 

I'm always looking forward to the next season! I think my favorite overall is autumn. The salmon are swimming up the creeks, the Aspen leaves are golden, and I can find parking places again where I couldn't in the summer!

 

Eagle Falls is a sight to behold in the springtime.

If you could choose one spot to capture "the perfect Tahoe shot," where would that be?

Eagle falls in the springtime! You have to get up extremely early for sunrise, but it is worth it! And then you have to be extremely careful because there is still ice and snow in springtime and it can be dangerous. 

 

In terms of an overall photographic experience, I like the creek above Cascade Falls, Shirley Canyon or the creek above Fallen Leaf Lake. 

 

Windsurfer riding out the stormy conditions.

 

You are also quite successful on social media. Alongside your stunning photography, you share behind-the-scenes clips where you interact with your audience. How has the evolution of social media shaped the way you approach photography as an artist and public figure?

 

Social media allows you to build more of a relationship with clients and collectors than in the old days where you might simply see a photograph on a wall or in a book.

 

When I was doing research and marketing for biotech companies, I had friends all around the world, but few people in Tahoe knew who I was. That has all changed now! At the grocery store, the beach or along the mountain trail, I'm likely to be stopped by somebody who wants to comment about a recent post that I've made. It's really fun!

 

How do you think social media, and the creators themselves, can play a positive role in inspiring sustainable tourism in a place like Lake Tahoe?

 

Creators get criticized if they post the location of a photo, even if it's at an extremely popular place like Sand Harbor! They also get criticized if they don't publicize the location, so you can't win there. But you can get the word out effectively that people need to clean up after themselves. And I think it's working! This year we had much less of a problem over 4th of July than we have had in past years.

 

Next, I think we need to get the word out about campfires. Most of the wildfires that ravage the West are caused by humans. And yet people still want to have campfires without knowing how to put them out. So you have campfires that get out of control, sometimes in areas where they're not legal in the first place! The Angora fire is one example of this.

 

On a windy day, a fire can get out of control even if you are sitting right there! So, we really need to get the word out about this.

 

Tahoe comes to life when the sun goes down. Shot of Bonsai Rock.

 

What are your top three spots that you think every first-time Tahoe visitor should experience?

 

Even though it is a steep hike, I think that people should hike down to the water at Emerald Bay if they can. Take the tour of Vikingsholm. Maybe rent a kayak and paddle out to Fannette Island. Take the trail up to the bottom of Eagle Falls and see it from a different perspective. 

 

Olympic Valley is remarkable! Every time I drive in there it blows me away. Hike up Shirley Canyon in the spring or summer. Take the tram up to High Camp in summer or go skiing in the winter. And my new favorite thing is to climb the Via Ferrata (at Palisades). I did that twice last year and simply loved it. 

 

Thirdly, we have Sand Harbor. Go there for sunset if you can't get in for the morning. You have good views to the north, to the south and to the west. Occasionally in the east as well! You'll see sandy beaches, rocky coves, boats launching, people swimming, sometimes surfers riding waves and kids scrambling up rocks.

 

How do you spend your off days?

I'm not sure what you mean by off days! I work every day.

Lake Tahoe is the epicenter for adventure, from sun up until sun down.

What is the best advice that you have received that you would like to pass on to the younger generation of aspiring photographers?​

It is not about the gear. It is about a feeling of curiosity that drives you to discover what is around the next bend. How can you show the unique personality of a client or that relationship between the client and a child?  That curiosity is what can lead you to magic.

 

Where can people see your work online or connect with you on social media?