I’m Matt Shaw, a photographer working throughout the South Puget Sound and surrounding areas.

I love photographing performers and artists.

Before photography, I was a violinist, performing in the United States, England, and France. I think that experience is part of why I’ drawn to people who communicate through performance. Drag, Burlesque, pole, theater, music, puppetry, costume, movement, storytelling; there are so many ways artists create an experience for an audience.

I’m especially drawn to artists who make their own costumes, puppets, props, sets and characters. Their culture, experiences, language, vulnerability, humor, and ability to connect with an audience are inspiring to me.

Sometimes it’s resistance. Sometimes it’s beauty. Usually it’s both

I see my relationship with an artist as a collaboration. They bring their vision, experience, and message. I bring my own perspective, camera, lenses, lighting, and way of seeing. My goal is not to replace their vision, but to help translate it into photography.

That’s where my cinematic work comes from. I want the lighting, color, mood, location, and composition to support what the artist is imagining and what they want an audience to experience.

I also love photographing outdoors. I genuinely just like being outside; forests, beaches, gardens, parks, city streets, and unexpected places. I want the environment to matter as much as the person. If I’m photographing someone in a beautiful place, I want that place to look spectacular too.

I’m fortunate to have built relationships with performers and communities I care about. I want my photography to be something I can contribute to the artists I work with.

I learned photography largely by doing it. I’ve photographed artists, craftspeople, community events, Native American pow wows and county fairs, performers, and plenty of things that don’t fit neatly into a category.

I like making photographs with people who have something of their own to say.