Man… sometimes there’s so much going on it’s tough to find time to blog. I pulled out a few images I loved from some sessions that I haven’t blogged yet. Enjoy, and I’ll try to keep it coming. By the way, I checked the stats the other day and the blog has topped 150 visitors a day which is sweet! Make sure you leave comments so I know who you all are.
We all gathered on Saturday for the celebration of Nate Kopetka and Jill Podgorski, who are now Nate and Jill Kopetka. We did, indeed, celebrate. The game Farkle made a glorious return to my life, but I did not lose this time, which made me quite happy.
Here are some images I shot on Saturday. I took a camera with a square focusing screen, 1 lens (manual focus), and shot away - no pressure, no stress, just fun!
On 08/28/08 maggie said:
laughed out loud several times while reliving the night through these images. ahh, friends. what a great time! and what great stuff you have here. always fun to see what you find!
On 08/25/08 Kess said:
Sigh. More beer! More olives! More taking chances with outoffocus shots! I love it.
I’m really into these images. I love the confidence she shows in them and the grit of the city and her shoes. I love the quietude.
To some people senior portraits are something that’s required by the school. Something necessary, maybe even a minor annoyance. Something that will be put in a drawer at the end of the school year and found 5 years later covered in dust and the stuff that the rug sheds even after you’ve owned it for 2 years.
To me these images mean more than that. More than a 2×3″ shot in the yearbook, more than wallets passed out to friends, and more than a pat on the back for the photographer that took them. I want these pictures to represent to these young people all they are and all they will become. I hope that my images appreciate as the years go by; that all these hours spent in front of a computer will remain a conversation piece, reminiscing about years gone by and a memory-jogger.
If I didn’t think like that I couldn’t do my job every day. To do something well I need to believe in it. I believe in this.
This blog post took me an hour and a half to put together, so you better enjoy it. Two shoots in 2 days, 2 different feels. How about the polka-dot dress? And the Aviators? Why are these kids so much cooler than I was? Don’t answer that.
On 08/24/08 Teryn Glenn said:
Matt,
Where did you do the 2nd shoot of the day…the crazy colored brick wall? Totally curious…
T
We found some really cool locations to shoot at tonight. There was a ton of wind but we endured and came away with some awesome images. Also, we have some really exciting news for ya’ll but we can’t break it yet because things are pending. I can’t wait until we can blab though…
Enjoy some images from the shoot!
On 08/24/08 Strawhat said:
Aww, this is the daughter of my sister’s godfather…small world. They look great!
On 08/22/08 Teryn said:
I love the one with the broken glass (the close-up). It’s chilling! 
On 08/20/08 Kate Mefford said:
Fierce. Way fierce.
On 08/28/08 Ben Dodds said:
It’s me, It’s me, It’s me like 149 times
On 08/27/08 Rob said:
hey matt- Rob from NC here- love the work, especially your flavor with the flash. peace.
On 08/27/08 Scott said:
All great work. The first set of of photos in particular are very remarkable. You have done a great job with a great subject.
On 08/26/08 karenlee said:
I must admit, I am also one of the 150. I find your work vibrant & inspiring. On the days where you don’t post anything, I’m pretty disappointed and find myself wandering about the internet looking for my photography fix. Take heart though, I never stray too far….just over to the West Coast to check out Jessica Claire’s work =) I personally LOVE the color in your photos. Fantastic! Keep on doin’ whatchya do… ~kl
On 08/26/08 Gilly said:
I too am a Mattblum stalker, though this addiction may have happened before the website began. I really like the first set of photos too and her faint smile- looks so effortless and natural. Beautiful!
On 08/26/08 Marisa said:
Matt - I am one of your daily 150 visitors but I find that I repeat myself…. awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, inspired….etc.
On 08/26/08 Teryn Glenn said:
I love the senior shots at the top! Those are probably my favorite senior ones of yours that I have seen. Love the softness in the coloring. Keep it up. Hey…check out my new blog…I would love your thoughts.
T