Photographer Research Project

Jordan Matter

1. What is the photographer’s real name and year he or she was born? Is he/she still alive?

The photographer that I chose is Jordan Matter. He is 51 years old, and alive and thriving.

2. What is their style of photography (ex: photojournalism, editorial, documentary, advertising, portraits, magazine, sports, war)?

Jordan Matter’s style of photography is mainly dance photography. He also does headshots and portraits, but he says that his passion is capturing the movement in still pictures.

3. Are there any special photography techniques this photographer uses in his/her work?  (Think about composition, depth of field, history…)

Matter likes playing with depth of field a lot. He also uses lines and the rule of thirds to make his pictures more appealing to the viewer and model.

4. Who does/did the photographer work for?

Matter has shot for major television networks, such as The Today Show, MSNBC, CBS, NBC and the BBC. He has also shot for many well known actors and models: Noah Schnapp, Kate Mckinnon, and Tyra Banks, to name just a few. Nia Sioux and Elliana Walmsley from the popular show Dance Moms have also shot with Matter.

5. What type of cameras and lens does this photographer work with, and why?

Matter uses a Nikon camera, and is partial to the 14 to 24 2.8 lens because of the way it captures a picture with a wide open effect. He also uses 85 millimeter and 28 millimeter 1.4. Those are his go to lenses.

6. What type of lighting does this photographer primarily use and why?

I’ve noticed that Matter shoots at dusk or sunset a lot of the time, or in the afternoon light. This adds a soft light quality to many of his photographs, which make the photos have a gentle feel. When he shoots at sunset however, many of his photographs are silhouettes. I’ve noticed that he mainly shoots silhouettes of dancers, which makes their poses look more interesting. Matter also uses street lights or headlights from a car or other vehicle to make his photos more interesting. Matter said that his favorite time to shoot is on a foggy day, before or after fresh rain.

7. Who are some of your photographer’s early influences?

My photographer was influenced by his grandfather, Herbert Matter, who was a professional photographer. Herbert Matter shot for many well known people and magazines, such as Vogue, National Geographic, and the late President Kennedy. His mother was also a successful Ford model, so Jordan grew up around the cameras presence. He never planned on doing photography as a hobby or career until he saw an exhibition of photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photos. He emotionally connected so strongly to Cartier-Bresson’s work that he decided he wanted to take portraits that captured the vulnerability of the people behind whatever facade they were holding up in their day to day lives.

8. Are there any interesting stories about this photographer or his/her work?

Matter started out as an actor, and stumbled into photography by chance. He was hanging out with a friend, and they were looking to said friend’s portfolio. Matter was shocked by the lack of emotion and bad quality the photos contained, and how badly his friend was ripped off! Already having a passion for photography, Jordan took matters into his own hands and decided to redo her portfolio. His friend showed her agents, and her agents started pining after his talent. Soon, big news sources and models started asking him to shoot for them, and his unplanned dream job was born.

Jordan's youtube channel!
https://www.youtube.com/user/jordanmatter

10 Photos by Jordan Matter: