We were lucky to catch up with Matthew Borchert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Matthew , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Before I even purchased a camera, I joined several online photography and editing groups. Through them and using others photos, I honed skills related to the editing side of photography. But, that didn’t help when I actually got my first camera in 2021, a Nikon D7500. I watched YouTube and read many online forums on that particular camera. While most people begin shooting in automatic mode, and eventually switch over to manual once they feel comfortable enough, I turned my camera to manual shooting a raw format and never looked back. Of course I made mistakes, but you learn from them and move on. You can’t let things frustrate you to the point you give up. As far as speeding up a learning process, everyone learns differently. Personally for me the only thing that might have sped up the process would have been if I had gotten out more, and taken more pictures. Skills, lol…..ok, yes skills are important, knowing how to work your camera is important…..but if you can’t see or visualize, all the “skills” will mean nothing. You have to have an “Artists Eye”. Someone sent this to me awhile back, I’m not sure who originally wrote it, but it made so much sense.

Camera body = Canvas
Lens = Paint brush
Photographer = Artist
Light = Paint

The weakest area will be what causes an image to fall below expectations.

You can have the best of everything, but….
If you have no paint…
If your brush is flawed…
If your canvas is dirty or damaged…
If the artist has no vision…

One of the biggest obstacles is people thinking all photographers do is push a button. We are artists, and we take pride in what we create and capture.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into photography as a means of getting out….. I had become so introverted and cut myself off from most of the world. Weighing 425lbs and suffering from several mental health issues, I needed something to motivate me, my camera became that tool. Since I’ve started photography I’ve been able to manage my mental health, without medication and I’ve lost a lot of weight.

I mainly do landscape and wildlife photography, but I have started stepping out of my comfort zone. I’ve done several events including an event for the Lac qui Parle Valley Drama Dept. I’m also looking forward to venturing into portrait photography this year.

I’m not sure what sets me apart from others. I guess I’m still learning, I don’t go into a event or shoot acting like I know it all. I don’t constrict things to my vision, I create an idea in my head knowing it will change. Go with the flow, and try not to put time constraints on getting a particular shot.

I’ve had quite a few “proud” moments. Currently though, I am preparing for my first in person Gallery Showing, I’m nervous but excited at the same time. The showing will be up the beginning of April with a reception on April 4th from 3-5pm. It’s being held at the Madison Mercantile, which has become a pillar of our community. Bringing Art and community together in Madison Minnesota. I have to say thank you to the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council for providing me with a grant and to the McKnight Foundation for funding that grant, without them this Gallery Show wouldn’t have been possible.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s being able to share the beauty that surrounded us. So many people either “live” online or are in such a hurry nowadays, that they forget to just look around. There is beauty right outside of your door. This reminds me of a place in Madison Minnesota, a residential yard. This person has a beautiful rose garden right along the road. Beside this garden is a sign that reads something like “Please stop and smell the roses”. I think these people understand, we all need to take the time to stop and enjoy the beauty around us. I just want to bring some of that beauty to others.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Photography is much more than just clicking a button. In an age where everyone has a cellphone with cameras and the innovation of AI. People are forgetting the Artistry behind photography. I, as a photographer am no less passionate about my craft as a painter, sculptor, musician or any other artist. The Art of photography is unfortunately getting overlooked and lost in this digital age.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @VELVETRAZORPHOTOGRAPHY
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VelvetRazorPhotography
• Twitter: @Velvetrazorpics
• Other: I would like to give a special shout out to Kris Shelstad who brought the Madison Mercantile to our rural community. Bringing Art and Community together, thank you. If you’re in the area please stop by. @mercantilecommunity https://www.facebook.com/MercantileCommunity