Meet Alain Matz

We recently connected with Alain Matz and have shared our conversation below.

Alain, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

That’s an important question to me because self-esteem and confidence have definitely been a raw nerve my whole life. Going all the way back to being a young child, I have never had a positive sense of self-esteem or any real confidence. I always felt like an outsider and someone that others really had no interest in. To this day, I struggle with both of these as an adult. Which is why you would think it’s funny that even as a child, I knew I wanted to be creative and entertain. Quite possibly the -worst- career path for someone with -no- self-esteem or confidence!

However, I did create. Whether it was through writing, filming, or photography, I created projects that I thought -I- would like to see. I created what was important to me, as someone with a vision. Maybe it’s not the typical definition of art, but I was “creating.” More and more people would appreciate my craft as I got older, better, and eventually, realized my what my own artistic voice was.

While I still struggle with both self-esteem and confidence, (in both my creative and personal lives) to this day, I have been recognized more and more by people whose opinions I truly value. Whether it’s models or performers I’ve photographed, or other highly respected photographers, having them come to me and tell me how I have such an eye for capturing them, or how they can really see how I’ve improved, all of these accolades serve as incredible boost to my self-esteem and confidence.

For me, building these up has quite literally been a trial by fire. I’ve had to put myself out there and just see how the world responded. So far, it seems to be responding pretty well, and that is an amazing feeling.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

These days, I’m focused mostly on my photography, since it’s something I can do with immediate gratification. It’s also where I find myself surrounded by other, like-minded professionals, either in front of, or behind the camera. In fact, my relationships with all of them have lead to the creation of my own, photography-based publication, Neon Vampire Magazine, which is just about to release its fifth issue!

I’ve also done a bit of writing, though it’s such a long process, that even the short stories and novellas I’ve written took a very long time to complete.

As far as film goes, I recently had a feature film I wrote and directed, “Magic Hour,” released on Amazon Prime. It’s a huge step for me because it took us -years- to complete the film and we weren’t sure it would ever get released.

Over the years, I didn’t realize it, but I was absolutely creating my own brand. When I was young, I was clearly trying to do what the artists I loved were doing. It wasn’t my voice. But over time, I -developed- my voice. It was actually a model I was working with who pointed it out to me, what she saw as my voice, and I was blown away by the revelation. I had gone from wanting to be -like- other artists, to being -inspired- by other artists and growing into my own voice and vision.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I have one bit of advice: listen to constructive criticism but don’t feel the need to take it. Create what -you- want and let your audience find you.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I am probably one of the luckiest people I know in terms of how I was raised. My parents supported me in -everything- I ever wanted to try. Some things just sputtered out, (like trying to play drums) while others, (wanting to me an artist) drove me to where I am today.

I know a lot of people aren’t as fortunate as I was growing up, which is why I think it’s incredibly important to find your people and always be there for them. A tight knit community of friends is the most invaluable resource any of us can have. Even today, I still try to organize projects that other photographers and I can do together, just to keep our community together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thesilent13studios
• Facebook: Silent13studios
• Other: Instagram: @neonvampiremagazine