Today we’d like to introduce you to Cj “Hashtag” Martin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got started by taking photos and editing them with my phone. I never really took it serious until my brother Sean Paul from the Hip Hop duo “Young Bloodz, who now goes by Sean Paul East, had me take some photos of him. Once he seen the photos that I took and edited with my phone, he told me that I was blessed with an eye for photography and that I needed to take it serious. That conversation gave me motivation and clarity, which caused me to get a camera and start my company called Hashtag Dope Photography LLC. I started that company two days before my birthday, and the day before my birthday, I did photography for a wedding. Capturing Dope photos has always been something that I’ve naturally loved to do, but I wanted to expand into videography. I enrolled in Ohio Media School, graduated the regular program as well as the film emphasis program. That is where I met one of my mentors in the film industry “Marquette Williams.” Learning and working under his teaching not only taught me more about filming, lighting, etc. it also taught me about every position being on a movie set. Taking on internships as they came from Ohio Media School allowed me to meet and intern with Quincy “Big Heff” Taylor. He has been a mentor, friend, brother, leader, and always expressed to me to show up and produce. My internship put me in rooms that I never could’ve imagined being in. Since then, I still do photography, videography; I’m an Actor, Director of Photography (DP), talk show host, and the list goes on.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has not been smooth at all. There’s a saying in media production that states, “Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.” I’ve slipped into depression, shut everybody out, etc. after talking with my mentors, I received the overall message to find balance, plan my days/ weeks in advance so that I’m not putting too much on myself. From that moment, I started to understand what people meant when they said, “Trust the process.” I still have a long road ahead of me, but my process is building character that can withstand anything put in my face.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional celebrity photographer.
I specialize in creating behind-the-scenes photos and content.
I’m known for being a Great father to my son. I’m known for showing up and showing out when it comes to Photos, Videography, Behind the scenes BTS content, acting on set, and being behind the camera as a Director of Photography (DP)
I am proud of being a great example of fatherhood to my son. I am grateful for being surrounded by gratitude, abundance, and prosperity. I am proud of myself for leading by example and mentoring others on the road to their greatness.
I’m me, and they’re not… That’s Dope within itself… respectfully
How do you define success?
Success to me is being able to wake up, thank God, accomplish personal goals, give service to others, and be grateful to see another day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hashtag_dope_photography?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hashtagdopephotography/featured
Image Credits
Hashtag Dope Photography LLC
