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

Hi Matt, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

As a photographer, my Instagram account was an essential tool for sharing my work and promoting my business, @PhotosByWolly. I had built a sizable following over time and had a build a library of my work. However, one day, I attempted to log into my account and found that I could not access it. After trying multiple methods to regain access, I realized that my account had been hacked.
The hacker turned on two factor authentication, making it impossible for me to recover it. I attempted to contacted Instagram support, but Instagram has so many accounts that they do not provide help to smaller accounts. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to regain access.

This was a major setback for me as a creative professional. Not only did I lose all the content and followers I had built up on the account, but also all my marketing efforts were tied to that account, and I had to start from scratch. I had to come up with a new Instagram username that was similar to my other account names, such as my website and Facebook account, and my email. I finally settled on @thePhotosByWolly. I had to create new content and rebuild my audience, which was a challenging and time-consuming process. This has given me the opportunity to revisit some of my older photography and giving me chance to publish some pictures that I have not yet shared.

I also had to re-evaluate my online security measures, and ensure that all my accounts had strong passwords and two-factor authentication. It was a frustrating experience, but it taught me the importance of being proactive about online security and the importance of being resilient in the face of unexpected challenges. Overall, it was a valuable learning experience that helped me grow as a creative professional.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As an IT consultant and a passionate traveler, I use photography as a way to capture the diverse landscapes and colors of the world that I have seen. My favorite types of shots are those of nature, especially landscapes and sunsets. I believe that my photos give a unique perspective of the world that I see, and I hope that they allow others to see the world in a new way.
I use a drone to capture images from a different angle, which allows me to show a 360-degree view that cannot be captured from ground level. I also create “Tiny Planet” images which are a unique way of showing the surroundings in a small and compact way. These images can be challenging to create as I have to select the right height and camera angle, and spend a good amount of time editing the images to achieve the desired perspective.

Participating in art festivals is an important aspect of my art business. I make sure to participate in at least one art festival each year as it is where I see the most sales and leads for future sales. The festivals are a great platform for me to showcase my art to a wider audience and engage with potential customers.

Other that the art festival I sell my photos via custom orders. To place a custom order, customers can simply send me a direct message or an email. This allows me to connect with my customers and provide them with a personalized experience. It’s a great way to build a relationship with my customers and to make sure that they are satisfied with their purchase.

I am particularly proud of my large prints that I have sold
– I have printed a 360 degree view of Centennial Park on 40 x 80 Aluminum.
– My Tiny Planet MBS (Mercedes Benz Stadium), took many hours in Photoshop getting the roof to look correct. I have it printed on 30 x 30 Aluminum.
– During the Full Solar Eclipse of 2017, I took a series of shots. Afterwards, I composed a time-lapse of the eclipse. I have sold over 20 of these prints.
– I also have a few photos that I edited in Photoshop to make them look like paintings. I then printed them on canvas and added brush strokes to give it a full painted look.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media can be a challenging task. Since my Instagram account was recently hacked, I am in the process of building it all over again.
To start, I needed several posts that gave a good overview of my photography. This way when new people look at the page they can see what I have to offer and the will hopefully click Follow. I also find that adding stories to a Highlight is a good way to create a collection of similar posts. Creating a collection of similar posts by adding stories to a Highlight is a great way to showcase your work and make it easy for people to browse through your content.

I have a goal that I post at least one time per week to make sure that my content continues to grow and to maintain my current followers. Consistency is key when it comes to building an audience on social media. By posting regularly, you will not only keep your current followers engaged but also attract new ones. Additionally, you can try to use Instagram features like IGTV, Reels, and Live video to show your art in different ways.

I always make sure to mention my Instagram page when discussing my photography with others, and I encourage them to check it out. I believe that building personal connections is important in growing my audience. Additionally, I also hand out my business cards as a way for them to easily access my page and stay connected.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to:

○ Create a consistent posting schedule and stick to it
○ Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts
○ Engage with other accounts in your industry to build relationships and gain exposure
○ Utilize Instagram stories, IGTVs and reels to showcase your work and connect with your followers
○ Be patient, building an audience takes time and effort
○ Hand out your business cards to people who show interest in your work and encourage them to follow you on social media.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is seeing my work appreciated by others. Whether it’s seeing my art on someone’s wall, or having someone mention how much they enjoyed a piece of my work they saw online, it’s a great feeling to know that my art has made a connection with someone.
Being able to express myself creatively and to show the world through my unique perspective is also highly rewarding for me as an artist. I take great pleasure in capturing the beauty and nuances of the world around me and presenting them in a new and different way through my art. My Tiny Planets are a great way to capture everything in the field of view in one image. It’s especially fulfilling to be able to share my vision and perspective with others and have them appreciate it.

Contact Info:

• Website: PhotosByWolly.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/thephotosbywolly/
• Facebook: facebook.com/PhotosByWolly