Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matthew Keith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Matthew, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve always been interested in photography and film. My parents and one of my babysitters encouraged me.

I graduated from New York University’s film school, but am also self-taught. I researched composition techniques and three-point lighting online. I sometimes ask others for advice and always experiment with new equipment.

I think lighting is the most essential skill to master. (In short, put the light source above the camera, don’t use a ring light if it’s going to be reflected onscreen, and don’t backlight your subject).

My obstacles involved cost. Buying new and better equipment was the biggest hurtle toward learning and improving.

Matthew, 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 was the blonde sheep in my family. I was raised by two overweight brunette faux-hippie sourpusses. So when I saw a Barbie, I was drawn to her because she was blonde like me. Plus we both were happy and liked to wear bright colors.

My parents forbid me to have dolls, so I started buying them secretly when I was in middle school.

I began to collect when I graduated from film school. That led to me photographing dolls in the 1990s on 35mm film. Unfortunately, the long zoom lenses required were so cumbersome (and the depth of field was so narrow) that I stopped.

I got back into doll photography in the mid 2010s when iPhones were upgraded to photograph small objects well.

I photograph and film my dolls using my own particular aesthetic, which is a pre-1964/pre-British Invasion view of a glamorous world. I will never put my dolls in anything like the earth-toned hippie clothes I saw growing up.

I also infuse my photographs and videos with my sense of humor.

I’m proud of my attention to detail and the fact that I try to keep growing and learning.

What sets me apart is variety. I don’t want to be a one-note content creator. All of my photos and videos have an upscale aesthetic and a sense of humor, so I think that unifies my content.

I provide entertainment to a depressing world and escapism to a drab one.

I sell my photos on Etsy and also take photos on assignment. I recently shot photos for the book Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renee Rosen. It will be released in January 2025 by Berkeley, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

I also do paid partnerships, but only when they align with my brand and content.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my following organically, which takes daily perseverance. If you don’t have a strong work ethic, don’t bother.

One November I vowed to post every single day. I succeeded, and that was the start of my online growth. I post consistently six days out of seven at the exact same time every morning.

You must have your own point of view to share. Just using trending audio or chasing a momentary fad is pointless.

In the same way that tone and emotion can be deciphered in a short text message, emotion can come through your social media posts. Try to have an emotional connection with your content.

I believe you should modify your work as needed based on what gets likes and views. Analyze the numbers. For a long time videos of my doll room were popular. Now people have tired of those videos, so I don’t do them.

I reply to almost every comment to engage with my followers and create a sense of community. At the very least, I think you should like everybody’s comments.

Finally, remember the basics of storytelling: beginning, middle and end. Or conflict, rising action, climax. And if you’re telling a joke, don’t “step on the joke.” Put the joke at the end of the sentence or moment and let it land.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I went to graduate school for writing. After graduation, I got my dream job as a magazine writer and editor. But then I developed tendinitis in both arms from typing 40 hours a day at work, lifting weights at the gym, and doing freelance writing jobs. Voice-recognition software wasn’t good enough for me to do my job effectively, and hundreds of hours of physical therapy and a mountain of anti-inflammatory pills didn’t help either. I was forced to leave my job and go on disability.

After healing, I had to come up with a way to earn money that didn’t involve typing. The only jobs I could think of were realtor, therapist and teacher. I’d be a terrible therapist, and the real estate market in Los Angeles had an excess of realtors, so I became a teacher. I never would’ve chosen it for myself, but was grateful that there was something I could do that was creative.

I don’t complain about the fact that I had to change jobs and basically stop writing. Teaching became my new reality, and I accepted it.

My graduate thesis was a novel was about a woman who lived in the past. It’s important to me to live in the present. Moaning about what might’ve been or how things should be is a waste of breath, time and goodwill.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DollsontheBrain.com
• Instagram: @dollsonthebrain
• Facebook: Visit the DollsontheBrain page
• Other: TikTok: @dollsonthebrain

Image Credits

Matthew Keith / @dollsonthebrain