New Face – Nathan

A confident attitude, a killer smile, stunning good looks.  Nathan has all of these, and all at the age of 16.  He is only just beginning to explore his potential as a model (of which there is an abundance).  This was his first time in front of a camera, and he took to it very naturally.

With Nathan joking and laughing with me the entire time, the photo shoot went very smoothly.  The goal; capture amazing images of this new talent and have fun doing it!  We tried a new location in my building; the freight elevator.  Turns out, it is a great location to shoot!

I look forward to seeing where this new model’s confidence takes him.  We’re excited to have him with the Matthew Agency, and excited to share this new face with you!  Enjoy!  -JM

A Perfect Day – Part II

This next and final half of the Perfect Day pictorial was shot on that same strangely warm November day in Ohio.  Anthony VonBargen, seen here in the Industrial Wonderland series, met me at the same wonderful barn as model AJ Kessler.  With a bright warm sky above, and a phenomenal location… not to mention a stunning model, I was able to knock out more spectacular images.

I honestly cannot wait for spring to arrive so I can get back out into the open world and shoot more fantastic photo series for you all to enjoy.  I hope this post will bring you warm thoughts as we get closer to that time!  Enjoy!  -JM

This post contains images some viewers may find inappropriate.

New Face – Benson

I first met Benson when he was recruited by a tuxedo company to walk in a bridal show.  My first thought was “this kid definitely does not look old enough to get married.”  My second thought, however, was “this kid really should be modeling for the Matthew Agency.“  I handed him my card, and the rest is history.

With young, bold features and soft innocent eyes, his inexperience worked in his favor.  He had no preconceptions about modeling to dirty his fresh subtle presence.  He tackled everything we threw at him head on…from simplicity to dramatic to a phenomenal kelly-green military-inspired jacket made by the hands of our fabulous Dan Parker.  I can say, I definitely look forward to working with Benson again.  Enjoy! – JM

New Face – Sarah

Looking at my calender is like looking at a map of a foreign city.  I can stare at it for hours, and it is still a crowded cacophony of colors and words.  After moving into my new space with the Matthew Agency, things have been in constant motion.  Now that I have an amazing office and studio, it’s been almost non-stop photo shoots!  Not that I’m complaining.

Recently new Matthew Agency Model, Sarah Chledowski came into the studio for a portfolio shoot.  Another new, fresh face, excited and eager to learn!  Sarah isn’t the tallest, but she doesn’t let that stand in the way of her very natural beauty.  From the simply chic to the dramatic and bold, Sarah slipped easily from look to look.  With hair and make-up by Hanna Wagner and styling by Andrea Caitlyn, (our resident Matthew Agency intern) this shoot was a phenomenal success.  A knock-out performance on her first time out!  Enjoy!  -JM

A Perfect Day – Part 1

Sunshine, warm light, warm air, and not a cloud in the sky.  Only a slight chill in a breeze that blew infrequently.  A typical Ohio day in November… Confused?  So were model AJ Kessler and myself as we drove to a remote, vacant, and run down barn in the Ohio country side.  We had planned for the worst when we discussed doing a photo shoot with a lot of skin… outdoors… in November.  But we were very pleasantly surprised when we were blessed with such a perfect day.

AJ was the farthest thing from shy that there could possibly be.  More than comfortable in his own skin, he had no problem shedding his clothes in the middle of a field for this photo shoot.  A combination of art and fashion with damaged and ripped clothing, this series came together quite beautifully.

This is part one of a two part series. Later that same perfect day, I photographed model Anthony Vonbargen for the second time. Part One has already been published on YVY, and Part Two will follow soon!  Enjoy! -JM

This post contains images some viewers may find inappropriate.

Craig – Portfolio Shoot

I recently did a shoot with Craig and his wife Alyssa, which I dubbed The Category of Sexy. I’m pretty sure it goes without saying that these two make for a smokin’ couple.  This photo shoot, however, was all about Craig.

Craig definitely personifies “man,”  scruffy face and all.  He has a very masculine and commanding presence in front of the camera and it definitely seems as though he is at home there.  He looks great with out a shirt, but also fills out a designer suit perfectly.  Just see below for proof!  Enjoy!  -JM

New Face – Kayla

At the age of 14, new model Kayla already exudes a timeless beauty and quiet elegance in front of the camera.  She openly admitted that she was nervous going into this, her first photo shoot ever.  From these images, anyone can see she truly has nothing to be nervous about!

As a photographer, I was elated to have such a natural beauty to work with.  As the owner and director of the Matthew Agency, I am thrilled to have new talent like Kayla coming onto our team!  I’m so proud to say that the talent coming into the agency is truly phenomenal!  It actually gives me goosebumps.

A special thanks to Dan Parker for styling and the talented Julie Strating for hair and gorgeous makeup!  All parties involved… we knocked this one out of the park!  Enjoy! -JM

Levi – Portfolio

I can honestly say I have yet to come across a model as adventurous as Levi Martin (no relation to Patrick from my previous post).  He was open to my creative direction in every way, even when it involved baring some skin in the middle of a field.  I can only assume Levi’s confidence in his own body must come from the work he obviously puts into it.  As a photographer, it’s a refreshing joy to work with a model who is open minded and daring enough to jump in and try anything.

From a field to a factory, we really had fun with this photo shoot.  Our day involved climbing over barbed wire, wading through mud, and even nearly getting run off some property by a machete wielding country man!  Let’s just say that it was a good thing we already had permission to be there.

I have to say that Levi’s complete belief and trust in my vision and creative direction truly yielded some remarkable images.  I hope you agree.  Enjoy! – JM

This post contains images some viewers may find inappropriate.

New Face – Patrick

Model Patrick Martin has a naturally stunning and unique look.  Although he is young and completely new to modeling, he seemed very comfortable in front of the lens.  His fiercely sharp physical features are contrasted by a very calm, shy vulnerability that adds a compelling  depth to his images.  The combination of all these attributes gives Patrick a versatility that will definitely serve him well in what has potential to be an amazing modeling career.

During our photo shoot, and as we were racing the sun to the finish for the day, we lucked into some perfect light.  With the warmth of an evening sun, a variety of my favorite locations in Downtown Grand Rapids, and some phenomenal wardrobe styling by my assistant Dan Parker, the images truly do wow.  This shoot actually featured some of Dan’s very own creative and fashionable designs.  Combining DPark Fashions, some vintage clothing, and a suit provided by AK Rikks, we were able to really push the variety of our looks on Patrick.  Thankfully, Patrick was adventurous and versatile enough to pull it off effortlessly.

Enjoy! – JM

Doug – Portfolio Shoot

Model Doug Summers is as laid back as he is tall.  That made for a very laid back and easy day behind the camera. His boyishly clean features and shocking blue eyes were completely natural in front of the camera for this, his very first photoshoot.  If I hadn’t have known better, I would never have guessed Doug was a rookie.

Braving the bitter wind of a brisk fall day in Michigan, Doug didn’t let out a single complaint as he laid his bare back against the cold steel of our shoot location.  While myself and my assistants were bundled up against the elements, he was jumping around in nothing but a pair of shorts for some portions of our adventure.  There is definitely professional blood flowing through his newby veins.

Already jumping headfirst into the modeling biz, walking in shows such as Grand Rapids Fashion Week and Local Threads, I look forward to see where Doug goes with his career!  At this pace, he should have a lot to look forward to.  Enjoy! -JM

Assistant: Andrea Caitlyn

Assistant/Stylist: Daniel Parker