Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosie Matheson.
Hi Rosie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started taking photos as a child, mainly as a way to fit in with older kids and adults. The camera gave me a reason to get involved and it still has the same effect. I really got into photography around 16/17 and started hitting up musicians and models online to shoot. I’d take the train from Brighton, UK into London for the day and shoot one or two people. I managed to finesse a shoot with one of my favourite rappers Rejjie Snow and then after that Loyle Carner and it just kept going from there…
I was so hungry for it and persistent, I never gave up. I would shoot loads of models too, usually new faces and just keep shooting and shooting and working on building a style. I always came back to portraiture. Having an intimate and meaningful moment with someone and trying to capture their essence in one photograph is the challenge.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, definitely not. It hasn’t been a smooth road and to be honest, there’s a lot of bumps in the road but if you want it and love it enough you don’t give up and you get through them all. Struggles include times where there’s no work, lacking any inspiration, people taking advantage and promising you things they aren’t capable of, spending all of your money on trying to make something physical (stickers, zines, merch) in this digital world, people rejecting and not believing in your ideas but getting back up each time and believing in yourself more and more.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a photographer from London and Brighton in the UK. I moved out to Los Angeles one year ago. I specialize in portraiture and shoot primarily on film on a Mamiya RZ67.
I’m known for my intimate and honest portraits of people. I shoot anyone from famous musicians to people I pass by on the street. Whoever has a sparkle in their eye.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing my friends and family and sharing moments of life together. Being in my grandparent’s house. Animals. Red roses. Drinking an iced fruit juice or a kool aid if I’m hungover. Hearing the birds sing in the morning. Watching the sunset. Walking the dogs around my neighborhood. Feeling loved and appreciated. Traveling and experiencing new places. Seeing good people succeeding. Making other people happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rosiematheson.com
- Instagram: rosie_matheson
