Martin De Ruyter has been a photographer at The Nelson Mail for 25 years and the paper's head photographer since 1993.
Originally from Wellington, Martin went to Newlands College and then worked in the accounts department at Mobil Oil for two years while working part-time for a community newspaper.
After teaching himself the basics of photography, he missed out on jobs at The Dominion and The Evening Post.
However, his trademark determination won out when, at the age of 20, he landed a junior position at The Nelson Mail in 1986.
He had only been to Nelson once and has lived here ever since.
Martin is married and the father of a grown-up son.
Outside of photography his passions include fly fishing, skiing, mountainbiking and tennis.
