We recently connected with Matt Marion and have shared our conversation below.
Matt , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
My Company name while it has changed over the years has always been centered around the Aperture. From originally including my initials G4 to currently Aperture House. For those who don’t know what an Aperture is it’s the diaphragm opening inside of a lens that allows light to reach the sensor/film, to create an image. I’ve always used Aperture in my name because I believe we are vessels that allow God to bring light into the lives of each other, and I’ve always wanted to use my camera to deliver that light! There’s enough darkness in the the world we can be the aperture!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a kid I spent a lot of time looking at photo albums. My parents were always taking pictures, and I always enjoyed the fact that photographs can reconnect you to your own past and even connect you to the histories of people you’d never get the opportunity to meet. I really took an interest in taking pictures when I was 10 years old and my mom bought me a Polaroid Camera. I would take it to school and photograph my class mates, and friends in the neighborhood. I fondly remember taking it on a trip to visit my grandmother in Cincinnati and using it to photograph family I’d never met before.
Although it wasn’t until I actually failed a 35mm class in college that I knew I wanted to be a photographer. Since then I’ve shot everything from weddings to professional sports, from protest to AD campaigns. These days my work focuses on Head Shots and branding images to help my clients connect to their audience visually. Still wanting to be a vessel and put people in a light that allows them to shine, I am able to do that by literally putting them in the best light, lol. In today’s media based world how we are seen is almost as important as what we offer, so a strong visual presence is important when connecting to an audience of potential customers.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think my reputation was built on showing up. Someone once told me that “some times you just have to be there!” That always stuck with me. I built a great network through volunteering my services with the Metroboard of the Chicago Urban League. I was actually homeless and struggling with mental health issues at the time I joined. Volunteering gave me a sense of self worth and gave me a platform to communicate through my lens. 10 years later, word of mouth is still working through my network.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
No ones ever told me I can’t do something, but the clouds of fear and doubt somehow cast a shadow on my dreams for a very long time. It’s taken a lot of growth and experience to break down those walls. Fear is said to be False Evidence Appearing Real, from that I learned that in order to defeat it you have to face it, and the same with doubt. I’ve also learned that overcoming these obstacles build up everything they’ve broken down. The ability to find strength and courage within yourself also allows you to receive the same from the world around you.
Contact Info:
- Website: G4Aperture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g4aperture?igsh=MTF5cTZ0NXV0NDNwaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/g4aperture?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-marion-22567b59?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@g4aperture338?si=nx8iYvuo2xw95BQg