Martin San Diego is an independent documentary photographer from the Philippines. He photographs the different manifestations of resistance. Through his work, he questions histories and ideologies pervaded by his country’s colonizers.
Martin works for The Washington Post on stories in the Philippines, and with various United Nations agencies for campaigns in and outside the country. He is a multiple grantee of the National Geographic Society, a finalist of The Aftermath Project Grants, and an alumnus of the Angkor Photo Festival Workshops. His work has been published on VICE News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Telegraph, and locally on Rappler.com.
He graduated with a degree in Computer Science from De La Salle University in Manila in 2013. Martin pursued his childhood dream of journalism after leaving corporate life and juggling various lens-based work. In 2018, he finished Visual Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University as a fellow of the Konrad Adanauer Stiftung Media Programme Asia. In the course of the program, his love for longform storytelling and photo documentaries was developed.
When not at work, Martin is probably on his bike, chasing sunsets.
Martin is available for assignments and engagements in Asia and beyond.
Recognitions
2022
• Inside the Curve, Photo Book by The National Geographic Society — Contributing Photographer
• Inside the Curve, Travelling Exhibit by The National Geographic Society — Contributing Photographer
• The Aftermath Project Grant — Finalist
2021
• National Geographic Society COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists — Recipient
• The Society of Publishers in Asia: Excellence in Reporting on Women’s Issues — Award for Excellence
• The Society of Publishers in Asia: Excellence in Video Reporting — Honorable Mention
• Edition365 Global Exhibit by The British Journal of Photography and 1854 — Exhibitor
• Fotomoto PH: Invitational Portraits Group Exhibit — Exhibitor
2020
• National Geographic Society COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists — Recipient
• Diversify Photo — Member
• The Other Hundred: Healers — Winner
2019
• Angkor Photo Festival Workshops — Student
• International Photography Awards — Honorable Mention: Deeper Perspective
2018
• Asian Center for Journalism – Ateneo de Manila University — Student
• Konrad Adanauer Stiftung – Media Programme Asia — Fellow
• BARADO Group Exhibit with Tarzeer Pictures — Exhibitor
2017
• Visualizing Social Stories by Invisible Photographer Asia — Student
Select Publications & nonprofits
The Washington Post
National Geographic
Financial Times
The Guardian
Zeit Campus
VICE World News
Al Jazeera
South China Morning Post
Rappler
CNN Philippines
GRID Magazine
Ink! Global
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
International Committee of the Red Cross
Select Corporate
Nike
Parley
Jordan
Bartle Bogle Hegarty – Singapore
Shell (Pilipinas Shell Corporation Inc.)
Texas Instruments
American Express
Siemens
Discovery Hospitality
Max’s Group Inc.
Marco Polo Hotels
Ginebra San Miguel Inc.
Foodpanda
sandiego.martin@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +63 977 379 5815
Photo by Maitta Pugay
