About Martin

Director and photographer Martin Wonnacott grew up in Sawbridgeworth, England. An early interest in water tanks at the age of four suggested a certain direction of travel. A first (plastic) camera arrived at nine, followed by assisting photographers at seventeen, and a move to London at nineteen—where both the industry and the pubs were approached with equal commitment.

He established his own studio at twenty-three and has since logged well over 100,000 hours on set, which is either reassuring or mildly concerning. His work is rooted in craft, precision, and a preference for getting things right in camera—habits formed early and not easily shaken. He has travelled extensively, shooting virtually every form of liquid refreshment available, and has developed a reputation for making them look as good as they possibly can, without shortcuts.

In 2003, he founded the production company cake-factory, expanding into directing while maintaining a strong photographic backbone. His work has picked up a Gold and Bronze Cannes Lion, multiple Gold Clio awards, D&AD pencils, and a few Webby awards. Not forgetting his coveted Cycling Proficiency Certificate from school.

He discovered New York in 1999 and has been dividing his time between there and London ever since. He paints watercolour landscapes (which, mercifully, remain unseen), has a fondness for Rioja, airplanes, and Paul Smith socks, and maintains a loyal relationship with a bar in New York and a pub in London—both taken seriously.

He still enjoys playing with water tanks, consumes copious amounts of Earl Grey tea and collects robots.