April 10, 2017

Meet Matthew Reiter of Matthew Reiter Photography in Los Angeles

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Reiter.

Matthew, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My first camera as a cheap little wind-up 110mm camera that I used on a family vacation in Sequoia and Yosemite when I was around ten years old. I guess you could say that’s where it all began. I dabbled in filmmaking in high school and worked for a production company in college. I took courses in directing, digital media, film studies, and photography. By that time, I was already self-taught with my Canon DSLR camera, and I was always finding any excuse to take pictures of friends, models, and landscapes. My real break came when I started working for a popular photography studio that specialized in weddings. Before I knew it, I had traded in a medical career for one in photography, and I ended up moving to San Diego to work for that studio full time.

In the two years, I was in San Diego I shot over one hundred weddings in addition to countless family, senior, engagement, newborn, and portrait sessions. I was constantly shooting and editing both stills and video, both in the studio and on location, and I learned everything I could about the photo and video world of weddings and events. I had an amazing time and love the family of coworkers that I had out there, but eventually I felt like it was time for a change. Leaving San Diego and opening my own photography business was one of the scariest decisions of my life, but I’m thankful every single day that I did it. Now I’m celebrating my third year on my own and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love meeting fellow creative people in the industry for networking and collaborations! It’s so amazing to see the skills and ideas that fellow professionals bring to the table. I’m now averaging 35-40 weddings a year and there’s nothing else I’d rather do.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Business ownership was a bit of a learning curve. All of the fees, taxes, subscriptions, insurance, and documentation were a bit overwhelming at first. In addition to my website, I have a separate hosting page for videos and another for client galleries. Then there is all of the social media that needs to be managed, which could be a full-time job itself. This is on top of the regular shooting and editing, client consultations, emails, phone calls, networking, gear maintaining and purchasing, blog posts, and research on the latest trends, gear, and techniques. There really aren’t enough hours in the day!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Matthew Reiter Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business primarily revolves around shooting weddings and portraits. I specialize in trying to create a bright and vibrant look in my photos to immediately grab the attention of the viewer (hopefully). I love shoots at the beach, mountains, desert, forest, or anywhere outdoors that has a stunning background. As a company, I’m most proud of the consistent opportunities that I am given to meet so many amazing new people. I feel like my enthusiasm and passion are some of the things that set me apart from others in my field because to me photography will always be pleasure before business. Oh, and I have no space bubble! I hug everybody because personal connections matter more than anything else.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m really hoping to start booking more destination weddings in the near future. I’d love to take more epic photos of couples in exotic locations. I’m all about the adventure! I’ll climb a tree, jump off a cliff, or get in the water with sharks to get the right photo. Maybe along the way I’ll even meet my forever second shooter (wink wink to you single ladies with a camera)!

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