Earlier this year my “brother” John stopped in for a visit after leading a climb for a client in Colorado. John and I go back to our college days at NAU, in Flagstaff. I credit John with introducing me to the Mountains and all they have to teach. We’ve been close ever since.

I have never let it be a habit to post an excess of personal images on my blog. This blog has always been reserved for my professional work and photography education work. Time for a change, so you know the things most important in my life – outside of photography.

This selection is from my spring trip (yeah, I know…I’m behind on posting. Blame Zuckerberg!). This is the Colorado River, west of Fruita, Colorado; a section called, Ruby/Horsethief/Westwater. It flows from Western Colorado into Utah.

This represents my first chance putting my canoe (I finally bought my own last spring) on the River and also running it solo! I stashed the canoe at Westwater and ran that section by raft with other members of our trip.

Upon returning from the trip, I woke the next morning to four inches of fresh snow. Welcome back to Summit County in May!

I’ve added a new page to this blog – About this blog…

Those of you who know me know I can be pretty “brass tacks” about my opinions, and this page doesn’t change that. I hope if you read this page, you won’t be offended. And, likewise, if you are offended you are probably someone who was going to ask me to do $4,000 worth of photography for $500 because you know someone else who will. ;~/

That’s my position and I’m stickin’ with it.

~ matt

My first semester of teaching Digital Photography at Colorado Mountain College has come to a close and want to share their portfolios with everyone!

Spring 2011 Digital Photography Student Portfolios

Enjoy and PLEASE leave comments!

A selection of my Holga Toy Camera Photography images captured at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area are currently hanging at Colorado Mountain College, in Breckenridge.

This is just in time for a presentation at Colorado Mountain College, Pioneers on Planks.

The images hope to capture a bit of the old feel of skiing, from when I first started in Massachusetts.

I’ve been honored to have the “Pallavacini Lift” image exhibited and published internationally, at Denver International Airport and at the Colorado State Governor’s office. Here’s a look at the images:

Click on the images for larger versions!

Pallavacini Lift

East Wall – Lenawee Ridge

Chasing My Shadow

I am stoked to announce that three of my images have made the first screening cut in the Worldwide Photography Gala Awards – People & Portraits competition! On to the next level and wish me luck!

In my last post you’ll see the 12 images submitted for consideration in this international competition.

These three have made the cut! Please click the images for a larger view of each.

Biker Child – Eagle Nest, New Mexico

When I first moved to New Mexico as regional editor for the Taos News, I lived in a small set of cabins occupied mainly by bikers. This image was recently selected by Mary Ellen Mark for an international portrait exhibition at the Center for Fine Art Photography and continues to hang there.

Fizzeah Azzed

I photographed him in the Old City of Jerusalem. I had gone to this site having been told there were a number of Ethiopian refugees who had recently fled an incursion. When I arrived, on Fizzeah was there. We were barely able to communicate. I asked if I could photograph him and he struck this wonderfully proud stance. We spent the remainder of the day together walking to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

IDF couple

I captured this image along a plaza in Jerusalem. For me, it is a summation of one of many difficult aspects of the Middle East. If that idea sounds muddled, well…

Stefanie and Tallon’s wedding brought the snow to Breckenridge, Colorado! Their Monday wedding (1/17/2011) took place during the start of a snow which would last another day or so. The snow began falling about noon and by 2 p.m. was a steady dump. D-U-M-P! Two feet of snow would fall during their wedding.

Wedding at Lodge & Spa.

Click the pics…

Colorado is getting sweet snow this season. Perfect for wedding photography! This is my first of two winter weddings getting snowed…really snowed!

Lauren and Michael at Copper Mountain Chapel – Reception at JJ’s in the Copper village area.

My respect to both of you.

Enjoy…

Click the photos for larger views.

I got to meet and photograph two very cool people recently. It was a last-minute wedding for me, but I am so happy I was able to accommodate the family and Lauren and Michael.  My next post will feature images from their wedding photography at Copper Mountain, Colorado. I also offered to take them for a quick lifestyles photography session at one of my favorite locations near Frisco, Colorado.

The background of Colorado’s Continental Divide doesn’t get any better! The peaks are Grays and Torreys, 14,267 and 14,270 feet!

Click the photos for larger views.

Check my Photography Education Page for information on my upcoming Digital Photography class at Colorado Mountain College (Breckenridge Campus).