My name is Matt. I was born in Baltimore, MD. I grew up in Baltimore. I left for college in Philadelphia, PA. After college, I started a career in management consulting. I liked it. Sometimes I loved it, or I thought I did. But it never totally fulfilled me. After a move to New York, I found ballet. Not long after, I found what drew me to dance...but only when I saw it through the lens of my camera. It was then that I embarked on a mission to capture spirit.

In 2018, I returned home to Baltimore to be closer to family.

Best of all, here in Baltimore, I get to share the joy of dance with my mom. ASK ME ABOUT THAT.

Why I Dance

Does it seem strange that I would really kick off my bio by telling you why I dance? Indulge me :)

For me, the studio and the stage are a sacred place. A place of discipline, but also comfort, joy, even temporary escape...or maybe, truly, not escape, but return to home, to self.

I can push "pause" on the clamor of "the rest of life" and share with my fellow dancers in moments of grace, form (and play with form), even flight. What else in life can be so indulgent while honoring an artform and centuries of storied "greats" whose work we still study?

Oh yeah, and it's good for you... in mind, body, and spirit. And there's music. And friends. And sometimes even cake, on birthdays and opening night.

Why I Love Dance as a Subject for my Art (dance...and music, food)

Dance is fleeting. We do it and then it is finished, until the next performance or the next class.

Music is similiar. Once the echoes of the concert hall (or practice room) fade, it's finished...until the next song, performance, or rehearsal.

Food? Exactly...once it's gone, it's gone.

We could go on. But dance, music, food (and so many other forms of artistic expression) illustrate just how ephemeral "spirit" can be.

I could tell you that I am capturing those fleeting experiences or that I'm capturing spirit. And that is absolutely true.

But let me simplify. I like seeing people in their happy place. I like seeing people in the flow of their passion.

I have the privilege of helping honor my fellow artisans, their passion, and their dedication through my photography.

That those artists, their families, and the arts community at-large get lasting memories from the photos I shoot...that's icing on the cake. And......we're back to cake again!