I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Mattera, an influential travel and photographer on social networks with more than 1 M Instagram followers:
What Inspires You?
I am continually chasing what I felt the first time I left New York and headed to Europe. I am nervous and eager to capture what I can with my camera. Being immersed in different cultures around the world inspires me to portray my experiences through photography.
Some Photographers Say That They See The World Differently and have different perspectives on Life. What is Your View on The Planet and Life?
The places I visit and the people I meet are all special and unique in their ways. However, you also realize how similar we all are and share the same hopes and aspirations. Life is short, and we only get one go at it. So it’s incredibly important that we live our best Life, whatever that means for each of us.
How Does One go From Studying Music in College to Being a professional photographer?
The influence of social media and the internet has changed the rules and lowered barriers. After graduating, I travelled while also teaching myself photography on YouTube. After posting a few pictures, I realized I could pursue something I enjoy if I committed to it.
You have worked with some huge brands throughout your career; what has been your favourite and why?
That’s a tough question because I have enjoyed each experience. I would pick one if I had to. Bvlgari because I had the opportunity to visit Bali, Dubai, and Milan in eight days. The Bulgari team was fantastic and hosted incredible events at each destination.
What are some favourite things about being a photographer? What are some challenges you’ve encountered?
I love meeting people and have made so many friends from all over the world. I value these friendships and spend time with them whenever possible. I also love seeing the unique beauty in each place that I visit. Travelling to and from destinations is always the biggest challenge. Things don’t always go as planned, and you must learn to follow the flow. Whether it’s missed layover flights, confiscated drones, or lost luggage. But everything always ends up working out in the end. Top Social Bookmarking Sites for SEO.
What tips would you give to a beginning photographer?
Bring your camera everywhere and shoot as much as you can. Experiment with different styles. Seek feedback but listen most to your inner voice.
Do you always look at the world, wondering how it would look like a photograph?
I do. When I look through photos to post, I try to find those that genuinely capture
what I saw and what I felt in the moment.
How did you build such a loyal, strong fan base?
My followers and I share the same passion for travelling and photography, and I love engaging with them to learn from and about them. Engaging is critical to creating a strong following but also to learning and improving your
craft.
How does it feel to do what you love for a living?
A quote from Steve Jobs stayed with me. Please don’t waste time living someone else’s life since it is finite. I get the chance to live my life, so while I work hard at it, it never feels like work.
What can we anticipate from you moving forward?
I love to experiment with new things.so look for me to produce unique content from different perspectives. I recently visited Iceland and am looking forward to seeing other unusual places.
Follow Mike Mattera here – https://www.instagram.com/witness/.
