Matt Suess – Dramatic Landscape Photography

On assignment shooting video documenting a wedding in The Grenadines in 2001

I can be terrible with dates – just ask my family. I am usually late with birthday cards and have a hard time remembering anniversary dates. I even had my wedding date etched inside my wedding ring to help remember the date! I quit cigarettes over 10 years ago. Missed the anniversary date when it came up – I remember it was in October because I quit on my birthday – perhaps my wife Marci remembers the exact year.

So it should be no surprise that after reading about another photographer on twitter who is celebrating 25 years of self-employment that I just happened to realize that this month marks my own 10 year anniversary date of self-employment. Thank God for twitter – almost missed another anniversary.

It was 10 years ago this month that Marci and I moved from CT to Cape Cod, Mass. I had just left my full-time staff photographer position at the Connecticut Post Newspaper to once again jump into the freelance waters. My job at the Post was the last I held as a full-time (or even part-time) employee working for someone else.

While living on the Cape I freelanced for many organizations including the Cape Cod Times, Boston Herald, Cape Cod View Magazine, and USA Today to name a few. I did spot assignments on the Cape for a number of other newspapers around the country. Being a digital photographer allowed me to instantly transmit photos hundreds and thousands of miles away – this at a time when many newspapers were still shooting film. I sold my images to newspapers, books, magazines, etc.

I also did some corporate and advertising work. And of course, being a freelance photographer, I also shot a number of family portraits and photographed a limited number of weddings each year. Every day was different and I enjoyed and thrived working for myself.

At work photographing Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ in 2006

While still on the Cape, back in 2003, I began selling my own artwork at art festivals. And since moving to Phoenix, AZ in 2006 some 3 years ago (October marks the 3 year anniversary – hey I remember that one) I ended up leaving behind – for the most part – my freelance career and now sell my artwork full-time. While I do accept occasional advertising/corporate assignments I have done nothing in regards to editorial, portrait or wedding  photography since arriving in Phoenix. Creating and selling my artwork consumes most available time and it is something I enjoy tremendously.

Looking back on the past 10 years there are many things I remember fondly about my photojournalism days: getting the shot no one else got at a spot news event, the rush of trying to make deadline, the wonder of what will happen in the news day today, getting access to events the regular public is not able to get, etc. And the fact that I was able to experience it all, working for myself, makes it even more enjoyable.

I am now on the other side of the media, here being interviewed by a local newspaper in 2008

Working for oneself is not easy. It takes dedication, perseverance, commitment, knowledge, ability and desire. It takes marketing skills as you are constantly selling yourself and your work. But above all it takes love – if you love what you do you are heading in the right direction and are leaps and bounds ahead of others that don’t love what they do. If you love what you do your desire to succeed is greater than those that don’t. And if you love what you do you find yourself happier in all aspects of life.

Here’s looking forward to the next 10 years of self-employment as a photographer.

Out on a photographic hike in Colorado in 2009.

This is a live TV interview I did on Good Morning Vail on July 18, 2009 in Colorado prior to the start of the Thunderbird Artists Edwards Fine Art & Wine Festival.

I have done a number of interviews – but this one sure wasn’t my favorite. Unfortunately the person doing the interview never looked over the sheet I prepared for us to talk about. She even thought I was a painter – no preparation on her part – and I had no idea we were already live and starting the interview. Anyways – not the best – but felt the interview was good enough to post online.

For a better TV interview of me, from 2008, click here.

I was a featured artist in the July 2008 issue of SureBet Magazine, distributed in New Mexico. My photos appear on page two (see below). The feature was written by Pamela Cromwell.

Art Fest is Chamber of Wonders

by Pamela Cromwell

July 2008

Once a year the Ruidoso Convention Center is transformed from an empty cavern into a chamber of wonders as more than 100 artists gather for the Ruidoso Art Festival. The event draws top artists from around the Southwest and beyond in every major category, and some for whom there is no category. Last year’s winners included famous Santa Fe artist Amado Pena, Albuquerque watercolor painter Michael McCullough, and Arizona Hopi sculptor Kim Obrzut. In addition to traditional fine art, the festival accepts entries in jewelry, photography, textiles/fabric, pottery, metal, glass works, wood works, and mixed media.

The event is a one-room tour of fabulous shapes and colors hammered and woven into a myriad of forms. Each booth is a microcosm of a larger artistic world, each with it’s unique visions and artifacts. Journey from pastoral paintings to gleaming glass colors whirled into beautiful vessels. Enjoy the rugged and earthy feel of pottery or the internal song of a finely turned wood bowl, still alive with the energy of the tree.

In one booth, the majestic images of photographer Matt Suess illuminate for you nature’s rarest scenes. Last year Suess won Best in Photography at the Ruidoso Art Festival. He recently moved from New England to Phoenix in order to explore the dramatic landscapes of the Southwest.

“For me it is in the printing process where my creativity and vision really shine and take focus, ” he says. “The final print you see has been carefully enhanced and perfected by me so I may share with you my vision. So you can see the world through my eyes. So I can take you places you may never have been to before.”

In the next booth, goldsmith Steven Kriechbaum lays out an array of gemstones and diamonds in fascinating settings both organic and architectural. The artist’s education in sculpture shows in his work.

“My jewelry pieces encompass both traditional and contemporary designs with emphasis on wearability,” Kriechbaum said.

And at the next turn, marvel at Barbara Woods’ illuminated sculptures. Hand-painted silk shades supported by sculpted ceramic bases, they embody the mystery of a chrysalis about to unfold or beauty of wings ready to take flight. Barbara’s husband H. Tom Thomas hand-crafts segmented hardwood lamps. The couple’s talents merge when Barbara makes shades for Tom’s lamps and Tom makes bases for Barbara’s sculptural silk painting.

The Ruidoso Art Festival attracts these brilliant artists through a combination of professionalism, hospitality and a winning location.

“I love the beauty of the area, and the genuine hospitality of those living there,” says Suess. “Living in the desert, it’s nice to return to the mountains. It reminds me of the mountains in Vermont where I used to visit frequently.”

Sponsored by the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, the art festival serves as the chamber’s main fundraising event. The organizers and staff have earned a reputation as a hard-working crew that puts on an outstanding, artist-friendly event.

“It’s been a pleasure being a part of the Ruidoso art scene.” Barbara Woods said. “Displaying and selling our work at the Ruidoso Art Festival, we’ve experienced a very enthusiastic and supportive community. The convention center has been a great location for allowing the artists to show their work in a gallery-like setting.”

The indoor venue also protects everyone from Ruidoso’s afternoon rain showers. Artists agree, though, that what makes a truly great art show is the caliber of artists it presents.

“The event is extremely well juried and draws some of the finest artists around.” Suess said.

The Ruidoso Art Festival takes place July 25-27. Hours are noon – 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children under 16. Two-Day Passes are $12. For more information, call the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce at 1-877-RUIDOSO.

Article © SureBet Magazine 2008. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this essay may be reproduced without written consent.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Valley of the Arts helps artists showcase work

By Elizabeth Jackman

Photographer Matt Suess said he traded the sands of the ocean for the sands of the desert, when he and his wife, Marci, moved to North Peoria from Cape Cod, Mass. a little over a year ago.

“Two years ago, we came here on a photo trip and fell in love with the area,” Suess said. “Because photography is what I do full-time, we decided to move here and focus on landscapes of the West. We have a habit of moving to areas I like to photograph.”

Since age 12, Suess, now 37, said photography was his hobby. After high school, he began taking mechanical engineering. But when he reached calculus 7, he decided he had enough. He took a year off, transferred schools and studied business management. He left one semester shy of graduation to pursue a job as a freelance photographer and has never looked back.

Matt Suess poses with one of his works, "Yaki Sunrise" that was photographed in the Grand Canyon.

“It is has been my full-time career for 18 years,” he said. “I worked for a number of newspapers, both freelance and as a staff photographer.”

He began using a digital camera in the early 1990s, and brought it to the Connecticut Post, where he was a staff photographer in 1994 and 1995.

In 2003, he was awarded the New England Press Association’s Photographer of the Year Award.

“I haven’t shot film in years now,” said Suess, who uses a 35 mm SLR digital camera.

He said he is asked frequently what brand he uses and his response is, “I don’t have a preference, it is a tool. I just look at what gives me the best quality. I am more attached to quality than the name on it.”

Suess said he does all of his own printing directly onto canvas, which he stretches himself, so when he delivers a piece, it has been 100 percent controlled by his own hands.

One question he gets asked, Suess said, is, does he enhance his photos?

“Absolutely, yes,” is his answer. “I don’t limit my creativity to just what the camera sees. My goal is to bring out and share with the viewer what I saw when I was inspired by the scene. The fact that I do my own printing ensures the piece matches my vision.”

Some of his panoramic views can be a combination of eight to 10 photos put together, he said.

Suess also has a link to his blog on his Web site, www.dramatic-landscape.com that provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to be a photographer.

“Sometimes you get up at 3 or 4 a.m. to be in place when the sun rises and you might stay in the position all day, waiting for the light to be perfect,” Suess said.

Suess’ work is on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through March 23 at the Arizona Fine Arts Expo, 26540 N. Scottsdale Road.

“It is a working studio,” Suess said.

For more information, visit www.arizonafineartexpo.com.

During Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium, Suess’ photography was on display at the NFL Tailgate Party as a partner artist with Valley of the Arts owned by Carol Guarnero, a North Glendale resident, who founded the company last August to help artists showcase and sell their work.

“When I saw Matt’s work, I thought it was breathtaking,” said Guarnero, whose company, Beyond the Box Solutions, has organized the Fine Art Walk at Village at Arrowhead (the AJ’s plaza, southwest corner of 67th Avenue and Loop 101) for the past three years. This year, her new company, Valley of the Arts, will be featuring 15 artists at the event scheduled for April 5.

“We have an elite group of artists doing innovative and exciting things,” Guarnero said. “They are like any other performing artist and our goal is to find and create venues where they are compensated for their intellectual entertainment.”

For more information on Valley of the Arts LLC, call 623-322-3207 or e-mail valleyartsaz@aol.com.

Article © 2008 Peoria Times. All rights reserved.