Martin was born in 23 May 1952.He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern life, in particular documenting the social classes of England, and more broadly the wealth of the Western world. Since 1994, he has been a member of Magnum Photos. He has had around 40 solo photobooks published, and has featured in around 80 exhibitions worldwide including the international touring exhibition ParrWorld, and a retrospective at the Barbican Arts Centre, London in 2002.