“This is the only job I have ever had that actually matters…”
I believe special moments that really matter in life should be captured forever in a photo. That's me proposing to my wife and I wanted us to remember that moment, how we felt, the location and the emotion - (p.s. when you speak to me ask me how my proposal went very VERY wrong)
You know it’s so difficult to write stuff about me, I mean what do you want to know - I have interviewed myself below - I didn’t video it as you will think I am a bloody mentalist. All I wanted to say is I just feel so privileged in my life - I have my girls (wife and two young daughters) who are my absolute world - everything I do is because I want us to have the best life possible for our daughters and launching my photography business was a huge part of that.
I hope Chloe and Sophie understand, as they grow, the importance of dedicating yourself to something you love, something that is spiritually rewarding - I always get such wonderful feedback from my clients and there is nothing like it - to provide beautiful memories of your most private and intimate day is a privilege - I wish I had found this out at 16 years old.
Parks and Recs is awesome
Two awesome kids
I can turn my eyelids inside out
I have a degree in astrophysics
I don’t know why I studied astrophysics
Fun Matt facts
Music makes everyone happy
My daughter thinks its called an “IronPad”
Into the Wild is an awesome film
I’m scared of the sock monster!
Run…
Seriously run….
It’s the Sock Monster
Interview with myself - because, well why not?
Q Why did you want to become a wedding photographer?
This is me and my much better half on our wedding day - awesome day by the way. I wasn’t actually a wedding photographer at this point. It was probably this whole journey that started getting me interested in wedding photography.
I was then asked to photograph a friend’s mum’s wedding (years ago) I had six months notice and I dedicated myself to it. I went on courses and I second shot for other photographers so when the day came around I was super prepared for it. That’s what I do - I have one gear - give it my all and no regrets.
I loved it and got the bug. Weddings are surrounded by happiness and I love that - I only ever provide smiles and laughter in my galleries and I don’t think there is any other profession where you are surrounded by positivity all day long.
After my eldest daughter was born I launched full time into my business and have never looked back - even during the flippin’ covid’ness!
Q Why did you start family photography as well
It was when my baby daughter was born that photography took on a truly emotional meaning for me - when she was a baby I used to say “for someone that can’t speak she has taught me so much”
Anyone with kids will tell you how quick they grow and it is so true - there were things that my daughter was doing that she stopped doing just a few weeks later - it’s so important to get as much documented as possible as you will simply forget - this is my latest favourite photo of the two of them - i’m going to enjoy bringing this out on their wedding day - captures the current dynamic really well - Chloe being mad and Sophie thinking ‘can I go back in please!’
Because I am so passionate about doing this for my family I wanted to offer that documentary service for other families as well - sometimes you are just trying your best to get through the day and you forget the magic that surrounds you
Q Best place you have visited?
JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my days - why didn’t I go earlier in my life? What a fantastic country, never in my life have I been somewhere where I felt so at ease, so relaxed, so safe - and I didn’t know what was happening half the time.
The people are so polite in Japan, we had workmen stop and bow for us, train conductors who would bow each and every time they left and got into the carriage and the pride people had in their jobs was something to behold - I didn’t realise any place on this planet would make me feel like I did in Japan.
Q Is there a part of a wedding that you particularly like photographing?
Ooh good question. That was a tough one. I think the thing i look forward to the most is what i refer to as the photowalk. I take my couples off for just 20 minutes (not 60-90 minutes!) in the afternoon and another 10/15 minutes at sunset to do a photowalk. Up until this point wedding days are busy/full throttle - not just for me but for my couples as well and it’s so nice just to take 20 minutes away from the business - just the three of us to do our couple photos.
It’s a short moment of reflection/tranquillity and often laughter as well and my couples always say how much they enjoyed it - i have a series of things i get my couples to do which never fail to produce emotional/beautiful/funny photos - nothing staged and often gives my couples to reflect on the ceremony and just enjoy being married by themselves for a few short minutes before getting back to the full pace of the wedding.
Q Would you rather fight 5 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?
Erm. ok. the first? I think. Hang on….
…Yeah the first - I could distract the miniature horses with the kids and do a runner. A horse sized duck? No thanks.
Q What item is in your kitchen cupboard now and will still be there at the end of time?
A jar with some sort of herb in called marjoram - what the hell is it? We have never come across it in any recipe in ten years, is it an anagram? No - just googled that. Must be a spycam.
Are you qualified?
I get it - There is so much choice! So much. Anyone can be a photographer if they have a camera surely?
This is why I put myself through a rigorous qualification in 2018 with the Master Photographers Association.
“Licentiateship of the MPA, is the hardest qualification to achieve within the photographic profession, as this takes a great deal of time, work and dedication to your art to reach this level”
Entering the Association at probationary level and reaching the required high standards of this qualification is such a massive achievement and one I am very proud of. Not only do you have to submit an extensive panel of photographic images, which are displayed and judged in front of 5 highly respected Fellows of the industry, but you also must produce an in depth working profile, about your work and business practices. This document goes into the Health & Safety elements that must be understood when dealing with the public. They also ensure you have professional Insurances that protect the public as well as understand what your customer journey is like and conduct a full business review
“This is the reason why the public should only book a qualified professional photographer to photograph those precious memories in life, their wedding, pets or family and children, as it’s the only way they have of knowing they will get the best creative photographs and personal service possible”
Get in touch with me
I'm here for you any time