Photo Tips

Getting Behind the Scenes with One of the Best: Matthew Jordan Smith!

Me Ra Koh

I got an email last night from our dear friend, Matthew Jordan Smith. And I had to share!

For those of you who don’t know his name, you are so glad you read the blog today. Matthew is one of the best photographers in the fashion industry. Many of the fashion magazine images you see have been taken by Matthew. Check out his website, and you’ll be surprised at how many images you recognize. Yep, he took those.

Matthew is not only a photographer, but an author, speaker and sometimes seen on America’s Next Top Model.

But why am I showing you his photos and blogging about Matthew today?

I read his new blog last night and thought you would all go BANANAS reading it too!

Matthew has posted images and stories of him working behind the scenes. Whether he’s setting up a shoot for Queen Latifah or Oprah–you get to read about it. And believe me, you will be inspired because he shares from his heart.

Brian and I first met Matthew last January when Sony asked us to speak for them at PMA in Vegas. Matthew is a complete icon in the industry, but he didn’t act like it at all. Brian and I were blessed by how kind and generous he was–completely unassuming. When we all spoke for Sony again in March at WPPI, we took Matthew to a bunch of wedding photography parties, and every time I looked at him he was smiling ear to ear just having the best time with everyone. Seriously, Matthew has a heart of gold. That’s why I’m so excited to see that he’s doing a blog–and not just any blog, but he’s transferring his approachable self onto his blog and letting you into his world. What a gift to us!

Go check out Matthew’s blog. It’s fairly new. I promise you’ll spend at least an hour reading his posts. Even if you never aspire to fashion photography, the behind the scenes look at what he does is fascinating. Right now he has posts about how his team works together to pull off a shoot, or the inspiration behind a shoot he did of Gregory Hines, or the story of how he even got started in photography.

Leave him some blog love too! I noticed he has five or so comments on his posts. If you are inspired by his stuff, leave him a comment and let him know you are out there, and “Yes, you love that he is blogging and letting us into his world.” Seriously, comments mean the world to bloggers. It let’s us know we aren’t just writing to ourselves but people are actually connecting with us. And tell him you found us from here.

Thanks friends! I promise, you won’t be disappointed!

Have a great weekend! Love you Matthew!

xoxoxo, Me Ra

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To learn about aperture, shutter speed and ISO, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese (see the downloadable version that is now available if you live outside the US!), our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! To read a great review done on our DVDs, click here!

If you want to attend one of our workshops sooner than later, Atlanta/Jan 09 is your best bet! We won’t be back for another Beginner workshop until Spring or Summer 09, so check out the Atlanta details and take advantage of the Early Bird Registration price before it sells out!

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  1. Amanda Mays says:

    Cool! Thanks for sharing! Hope your feeling better! Have a great time in chicago!

  2. Thanks for letting us know about his blog! It’s so great when photographers like you and Matthew share your experiences and behind the scenes work. Thanks!

  3. Me Ra Koh says:

    Matthew emailed and was so blessed by all your blog comments todays! Thanks for sharing your blog love with him. He’s an amazing guy with such a big heart. You all totally blessed him today! You are awesome!

  4. Carol Swales says:

    What an awesome blog, thanks for sharing this. Although I stayed up reading half the night instead of sleeping that really isn’t your fault. Fascinating!

  5. gina says:

    thanks for sharing.. I did hear him speak at wppi.. Yes.. awesome indeed… thanks for giving him some lov’n.. I am off to his blog now to take a peek…
    Hope your having a fantastic weekend… 😉
    Gina

  6. jen s. says:

    EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! top model!!!!!!!!!!!! man i watch that show all the time. Thanks for the blog! this is kewl!

  7. Denise says:

    Thank you so much for sharing – I always thought it would be so cool to be a fashion photographer!!

    This morning, I pulled up your blog and Eric glanced over my shoulder and said, “Hey thats a cool picture of MeRa” (The rockclimbing one!) 😛

  8. Stacy T says:

    do you have an update about atlanta? i wanted to book my flight but heard you might have to cancel it because of lack of attendance. i’m a planner and am starting to freak a little if i don’t get my plane tickets & hotel. Plus if it’s cancelled, i’d like to go to another workshop in the spring.

  9. Lisa says:

    You are just such a sweet, sweet person!
    …I’m going to check out his blog! Thanks!

  10. Kelley D. says:

    Ha, ..I saw his blog…
    I absolutely love Mathews work..

    but honestly too.. my hubby has introduced me to you guys work..and I must say it is very beautiful…

    Im a makeup artist..but I just love looking at photographers work…

    very inspirational