Instagram Interviews
A collection of biography style interviews with talented Instagrammers from around the world. jamieshoots@gmail.com
Instagram Interview — Matt Hughes
All photo credit to featured photographer, Matt Hughes.
Name: Matt Hughes
Instagram Handle: @matthughes_
Location: Tampa, Florida
Website: www.mh-images.com
Matt shoots for the stars, literally. He’s a top notch astrophotographer. His night sky images are clearly his strength but he doesn’t show weakness in any other area of photography. I’m hoping to meet him soon and get some pointers on capturing the Milky Way with my camera.
Origins
Growing up I’ve always had a thing for photography and usually had a camera with me. Around 2000 I purchased a point and shoot 1MP Sony camera. Few years later I picked up the Canon 10D which was my first DSLR. Since then I never looked back. I’ve always had a thing for wildlife, landscapes, and the night sky. As a kid in the Boy Scouts I can remember nights sleeping and just staying up for hours watching the stars. Finally being able to shoot them was a huge game changer for me(only downside was I couldn’t get the night sky), in 2012 I picked up the Canon 6D which was my first full frame and a beast at night. Almost all of my influences in photography are from various Natgeo photographers such as John Stanmeyer, Steve Winters, Ira Block, David Guttenfelder, and Randy Olson, just to name a few.
Experiences
A lot of my experiences in photography are the people I have met and interacted with, I’ve learned a lot from everyone I have ever shot with. So many different types of shooting styles helped blend me into my own. I travel around Florida and New York a lot to shoot, my two favorite places. Have trips out west planned for later this summer and Iceland for 2017. I haven’t been one to enter shows or galleries but I did recently submit work and was selected for the Files and Film show in St. Petersburg FL on May 14th. My most exciting experience with photography is Instagram, it is an awesome community with a lot of talented folks. I have met many friends from going out to instameets and shooting with them.
Currently
Working on hitting the Everglades this weekend, Yellowstone this summer, couple of trips to Adirondacks in NY, and Iceland. One of the best things for my love of photography is the fact I get to share it with someone as passionate about it as I am, Nikki is with me on every trip and night shoot. It really makes the experiences that much better to be with someone you love that shares the same passion for photography.
Future
My main goal with photography is to start promoting my prints, I only sell when people ask me. I’ve never wanted my favorite hobby to become work. Photography to me is fun and an escape from my 9-5. I would totally love to see a Florida panther in the wild and be able to get a few shots of it.
Gear
Right now I’m shooing with the Canon 6D, 70-200mm 2.8fIS USM II, 24-70mm f2.8, 16-35mm f4, 50mm f1.4, 14mm f2.8, Sigma 150-600, various filters, remote triggers, speed light, GoPro Hero 4 Black, just pre ordered the new Canon 1DX Mark II, Various Manfrotto tripods, and Tenna bags.
