Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matthew Hamilton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Matthew, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Keeping my creativity alive is one of the most important things for both my mental health and business! Experimenting with my photography work is what keeps the spark alive. Sometimes photographing the same thing, in the same way every day can get stale. To fight against that, I periodically schedule fun, experimental shoots. During these shoots, it is the perfect time to create new and unique images. Also, since it isn’t happening with one of my regular clients, I can really create some fun setups. Anything is possible!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Being a professional headshot photographer is a very fun and exciting job! Some people think it could get repetitive because you are only doing one type of photography, and they think it would just be the same thing over and over again. It is actually the exact opposite! Since most of the time I am photographing someone I have never shot with before, they are what keeps it new and interesting. Everyone is different and is looking for something different in their headshots. Because of that, every new person who comes into the studio keeps it fresh.
Headshots are more important than ever since our professional and personal lives increasingly play out online, where first impressions are formed in milliseconds. A professional headshot is often seen as a digital handshake, offering a glimpse into your personality and professionalism. Because of this, your headshots shouldn’t be boring or too stuffy. That is exactly what I do, create professional and non boring looking headshots for my clients!
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?
1. Be friends with everyone (“competition” included) 2. The business end of what you do is just as, or sometimes more important than the creative end of what you do.
3. Always invest more in becoming better at your craft (workshops, online programs, classes)
There is no time like the present! I would recommend starting with an online google search for classes that can be taken in your craft. For me, years ago, an online search led me to a coaching program which taught me everything I know about headshot photography. That same program led to 95% of my friendships with other photographers both, local and international.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always looking for actors and models to collaborate on some fun, and experimental photoshoots with. Anyone who is looking to build a portfolio of images, let me know! I would love to connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mhamiltonvisuals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhamiltonvisuals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHamiltonVisuals
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hamilton-5a382611a
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HamiltonVisuals
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCinxyDBD-RjygslEx3W7RTg
