We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matt Maenpaa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matt below.

Matt, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve had a camera in my hand since I was a kid, first disposables, then a proper SLR in high school. I don’t really think I appreciated the craft as much back then, but the fundamentals were lodged in my brain. By the time I came back around to photography, almost two decades later, it was a lot like riding the bike.

I don’t think there’s anything to be done to speed up the learning process though, I think it defeats the point of learning. With a medium like photography, it’s more a set of tools to bring a vision to light. Do you want to make things dark and moody? Are you trying to tell stories? Illustrate fantastical concepts?

I think to be a good photographer, it’s important to understand how the camera works. What the focal length means on your lens, how to use the exposure triangle, all those are essential. Learning how to edit and develop a style that looks both natural and professional.

To be an excellent photographer, you have to push past the fundamentals. Then it’s not just pushing techniques, though. If you want to be a portrait photographer, you need to learn how to connect with your subject. Make them a part of your process, to bring them actual life in front of your camera.

As for the obstacles? The only limit to learning is within you.

Matt, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Matt, I’m a conceptual portrait and boudoir photographer, as well as an independent journalist. I love exploring the strange beauty of our world, sharing stories and helping people feel seen for their true selves.

Classic portraits are always a joy, but what really moves me is when I get to push beyond the bounds of our world. Exploring the fantastic and the terrifying, to help people confront their demons or become them, that sort of work is where I find the most satisfaction and challenge. Taking our fever dreams and nightmares and bringing them to something that feels tangible is an unending delight.

When someone brings a concept to me, it doesn’t need to be fully fleshed out. The exciting part is weaving something together from a fragment of a thought and a few inspirational images. When the final images are revealed, there’s a magic in showing someone the art that they created, that they became.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Okay maybe this is a little trite, but the best part is the act of being creative. I think there is a truly tangible sense of magic in the act of creation, in taking an idea and bringing it to life. Because photography is such a collaborative medium, it also means that I get to work with people who say things like “oh I’m not an artist” or “I’m not that creative” and proving them wrong.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There are books on this subject, along with thousands of articles. But okay, let’s go.

What can society do? Well actually supporting local artists, engaging in their community and buying from within that is a great start. Why go to a big brand store to buy some crap that everyone else has on their walls, when you could explore and find something more meaningful. Purchasing art from actual artists, booking sessions from photographers, these contribute to a healthy economy and also helpfully feed artists directly.

You can also stop using generative AI tools to create things for you. Are you struggling with writing? Take a class… or hire a writer. Same for music, visual art, graphic design. Instead of letting a machine do it, connect with a human being. You’ll make new friends and lessen the strain on our environment.

The biggest impediment to a thriving ecosystem and economy for artists is earning a living wage. The issues are so systemic that without dramatic change, there’s no telling where we’ll be in a decade. We can’t create when we’re scared and exhausted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.foolishendeavors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foolishafterdark/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.maenpaa/
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/c/FoolishEndeavorsCreations
  https://foolishendeavors.substack.com/

Image Credits

All photos taken by Matt Maenpaa/Foolish Endeavors

Models:
Lexi Lulu
Melissa Mattix
Toby Holmes
Riley
Mollie Mellick