Meet Matthew Peterson | Photographer, Actor, Writer, Film Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I always liked the idea of telling stories. Whether from film and acting to comedy and photography to content creation…there’s so many great ways to tell a story.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Nowadays I’m mainly a photographer. Though I’ve lived a lot of different lives and careers along the way. Mostly all creative endeavours…Film, Acting, Comedy, Music and now Photography.

To pin down which I’m most proud of is hard to do. I’d lean towards photography I suppose. Though, each passion and profession I’ve been involved in over the years, has really shaped who I am at this moment. I guess that what I’m most proud of.

I got to where I am today by pursuing things that I enjoyed, taking chances on things that set me on fire…so to speak. Trying new things and always be open to creating in different ways.

Nothing good is ever easy. But on the other side of that, if you love doing something it doesn’t feel like work, right? When you’re new at something you’re usually not very good at it. But the hard part is to keep going. Always keep going..that’s how to overcome anything..I believe.

As far as what I want the world to know about me and my brand is simple, I want to create images and art that evokes feeling. That moves people, inspires people. I’ve been so very inspired from endless amounts of artists, from all platforms, throughout my life. I want to complete that circle if you will, and do the same for others on their creative journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I was showing a friend around New Mexico here are some of my favorite places to visit and explore.

First stop in Albuquerque would be some breakfast burritos from Blakes Lotaburger. Hands down the best breakfast! Of course Red & Green chile, or as we call it here “Christmas”

Next up would be a drive to the Crest of the Sandia Mountains for a nice hike, with our cameras of course. the views are insane up there. The entire wilderness fun to stomp around in.

After that I would definitely take them down south to White Sands National Park. Because, its White Sands National Park! No need to explain…it’s amazing! Also, along the way, a drive out to see the VLA ( Very large Array) west of Socorro NM and some canyons like, Box Canyon.

Next up it’s off to the Jemez mountains! This is my favorite place here in New Mexico. So many amazing spots to visit and wander. The Valles Caldera National Preserve, Jemez Falls, Battleship Rock, Jemez Hot Springs, Bandelier, Fenton Lake, Soda Dam, Jemez Springs and many more….we would need a week for all that in itself. And definitely a bite to eat at Los Ojos Restaurant and Saloon in Jemez Springs!

Continuing north I’d take them to Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. It’s like another planet there! The geography is epic! Definitely worth wandering and taking some snaps for hours out there. Bring water though.

That would probably take more than a week but, definitely worth it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow this is a tough one! So many people and things in my life have supported me, inspired me, mentored me, motivated me. Since I was little kid movies were a huge obsession. They idea of these stories/films and their moments really struck something in me early on. I think visual storytelling of film and photography REALLY moved me and still does.

As far as people…I always had support from my family and friends to pursue anything. My late mother especially. She would always tell me to really go for it! No matter what it was, she was there to push me and teach me and help me learn to pick myself up and keep going.

Website: mattythor.com

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