Tamara talks with beauty and fashion photographer, Matthew Jordan Smith, about shooting what you love, how to get out and make business happen, and his favorite photography “toys.” 
Los Angeles based photographer Matthew Jordan Smith has spent the past 20 years working with A-list clientele, including Oprah, Halle Berry and Jamie Foxx, as well as Pantene, L’Oreal, Revlon and Olay.
Officially sponsored by Sony and Microsoft as an icon in the photography industry, Matthew continues to seek new ways to advance the art and beauty of photography in both his personal and commissioned work. In addition to Matthew’s work behind the lens, he uses his talents to inspire others around the world through his speaking engagements, seminars, blog and personal projects.
A neatly arched brow, a finely turned ankle; grace and sophistication in a trim package with a very shrill voice.
A neatly arched brow, a finely turned ankle; grace and sophistication in a trim package with a very shrill voice.
Great interview!…Its kinda awkward that I’m the first to comment…but wish me luck! Thanks for the impromptu giveaway! 🙂
Great interview!…Its kinda awkward that I’m the first to comment…but wish me luck! Thanks for the impromptu giveaway! 🙂
This marketing information is so timely. Most people are struggling in this economy including myself. I am looking for different way to recreate myself and my art.
I loved your interview with Matthew Jordan Smith. So inspiring. I can’t wait till he appears on Creative Live as well 🙂
This marketing information is so timely. Most people are struggling in this economy including myself. I am looking for different way to recreate myself and my art.
I loved your interview with Matthew Jordan Smith. So inspiring. I can’t wait till he appears on Creative Live as well 🙂
Great interview!
Great interview!
Thanks for all the interesting posts.
Thanks for all the interesting posts.
i loved this interview so inspiring!
Thank you!!!
i loved this interview so inspiring!
Thank you!!!
I love the fact that he has a realistic approach to Learning his craft, doing the journeyman/yeoman work always with a eye to improvement and ultimately getting better and better. it speaks to his work ethic and to his wisdom in being realistic and focus on doing getting things done. I think too many artist do not get this; that talent can only get you so far. You need the experience and put in the hours to hone and master your craft. I like his positive attitude!
I love the fact that he has a realistic approach to Learning his craft, doing the journeyman/yeoman work always with a eye to improvement and ultimately getting better and better. it speaks to his work ethic and to his wisdom in being realistic and focus on doing getting things done. I think too many artist do not get this; that talent can only get you so far. You need the experience and put in the hours to hone and master your craft. I like his positive attitude!
One of my favorite interviews that I’ve seen on your show so far….
I love watching your show 🙂
One of my favorite interviews that I’ve seen on your show so far….
I love watching your show 🙂
Great info, thanks for sharing! One thing I always question with people like Matthew, though. He said he started out just focusing on beauty and did photos for huge name brands such as Pantene, L’Oreal, etc… no one ever seems to mention how they *start out* working for such big companies. Starting a small business of my own, something like that seems unreal to do as a starting point.
You are AWESOME!!!
Matthew Jordan Smith is like an inspirational quote god and of course amazing photographer.
I was so lucky to catch this interview live and felt Michael had so much useful information. I’m determined to go out and make business… No more waiting for business to come to me. Thanks Tamara and Michael!
Great info, thanks for sharing! One thing I always question with people like Matthew, though. He said he started out just focusing on beauty and did photos for huge name brands such as Pantene, L’Oreal, etc… no one ever seems to mention how they *start out* working for such big companies. Starting a small business of my own, something like that seems unreal to do as a starting point.
You are AWESOME!!!
Matthew Jordan Smith is like an inspirational quote god and of course amazing photographer.
I was so lucky to catch this interview live and felt Michael had so much useful information. I’m determined to go out and make business… No more waiting for business to come to me. Thanks Tamara and Michael!
The “butterfly effect” by Mathew Jordan Smith finds inspiration in interesting places.
The “butterfly effect” by Mathew Jordan Smith finds inspiration in interesting places.
Thanks for presenting helpful and interesting information. I enjoy watching.
Thanks for presenting helpful and interesting information. I enjoy watching.
love the interviews you get Tamara!
love the interviews you get Tamara!
Thank you for posting this video-I am doing some soul searching on what direction I need/want to go in my photography. I am in what I consider to be a bad habit-shooting a lot of different things, instead of focusing on shooting what I love. Matthew’s words about shooting what you love were so timely for me. Thanks again!!
Thank you for posting this video-I am doing some soul searching on what direction I need/want to go in my photography. I am in what I consider to be a bad habit-shooting a lot of different things, instead of focusing on shooting what I love. Matthew’s words about shooting what you love were so timely for me. Thanks again!!
Another reminder to pick up the Carnegie book. I loved that when asked for an example of how he turned an unpaid project into new business he had a concrete example (the Butterflies) and that he could likely establish a solid ROI for that work. Great interview.
Another reminder to pick up the Carnegie book. I loved that when asked for an example of how he turned an unpaid project into new business he had a concrete example (the Butterflies) and that he could likely establish a solid ROI for that work. Great interview.
Thank you for sharing so much information! Your reDefine interviews and CreativeLIVE workshops have been a huge help for so many!
Thank you for sharing so much information! Your reDefine interviews and CreativeLIVE workshops have been a huge help for so many!
This was so awesome to watch ! I especially liked “show what you love” ! – so true !
This was so awesome to watch ! I especially liked “show what you love” ! – so true !
I loved your CreativeLIVE 2 day session on Photo biz. Thank you for giving back & helping teach the things that are so helpful to you & your journey in this business. 🙂
It’s so great to see that a pro still does work for love and passion. Photography is fun or I’m done.
I loved your CreativeLIVE 2 day session on Photo biz. Thank you for giving back & helping teach the things that are so helpful to you & your journey in this business. 🙂
It’s so great to see that a pro still does work for love and passion. Photography is fun or I’m done.
So great to hear a pro still doing photography out of inspiration from the heart, having fun.
So great to hear a pro still doing photography out of inspiration from the heart, having fun.
You were fabulous on CreativeLive!!!!
You were fabulous on CreativeLive!!!!
So glad I was able to catch this awesome interview on CreativeLIVE, lot’s of great information!! Thank you!!
So glad I was able to catch this awesome interview on CreativeLIVE, lot’s of great information!! Thank you!!
Loooooved the seminar!!! I bought it too 🙂
Lovely! Thanks for sharing…been meaning to check out this site since you mentioned it on creativeLIVE glad you linked on twitter! Officially bookmarked 🙂
this is a great interview Tamara! Thank you and thank you Matthew!
Loooooved the seminar!!! I bought it too 🙂
Lovely! Thanks for sharing…been meaning to check out this site since you mentioned it on creativeLIVE glad you linked on twitter! Officially bookmarked 🙂
this is a great interview Tamara! Thank you and thank you Matthew!
You Rocked my Face on CreativeLive! Airing your show simultaneously was a cool touch. Loved it!
You Rocked my Face on CreativeLive! Airing your show simultaneously was a cool touch. Loved it!
Thank you so much for sharing these things with other photographers! It’s really inspirational and I love hearing about other’s work :o)
Thank you so much for sharing these things with other photographers! It’s really inspirational and I love hearing about other’s work :o)
How awesome! Love that in only 10 minutes, I can be inspired. Thank you!
How awesome! Love that in only 10 minutes, I can be inspired. Thank you!
Fantastic! Learned a lot from MJS as well as TL. And who doesn’t love Adorama?
“Shoot what you love!” and “make things happen” inspirational :o)
Fantastic! Learned a lot from MJS as well as TL. And who doesn’t love Adorama?
“Shoot what you love!” and “make things happen” inspirational :o)
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
“put what inspires YOU into your work” Matthew Jordan Smith
“put what inspires YOU into your work” Matthew Jordan Smith
Great tips!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great tips!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Watched this live last weekend! Matthew’s such an amazingly real person. Him and you together Tamara is magical. So much focus and good advice in one day was really good timing. Hard to stay the course during such a tough time.
Watched this live last weekend! Matthew’s such an amazingly real person. Him and you together Tamara is magical. So much focus and good advice in one day was really good timing. Hard to stay the course during such a tough time.
I enjoyed the interview on CreativeLive and enjoyed watching it again!
Learning from other photographers, makes me a better photographer! Thanks Tamara!
I enjoyed the interview on CreativeLive and enjoyed watching it again!
Learning from other photographers, makes me a better photographer! Thanks Tamara!
Great interview. I’m thinking that I’d love to see a ‘bloopers’ reel of your interviews…But maybe you never have any bloopers:) BTW, great show in CreativeLive. Thanks.
Great interview. I’m thinking that I’d love to see a ‘bloopers’ reel of your interviews…But maybe you never have any bloopers:) BTW, great show in CreativeLive. Thanks.
Awesome interview Tamara!! You’re amazing!
Awesome interview Tamara!! You’re amazing!
I love giveaways, but now I’m hooked on reDefine!!! : D
I love giveaways, but now I’m hooked on reDefine!!! : D
I am so impressed! The conversation was witty, professional, educational and entertaining! Tamara . . Doing what she loves!
I am so impressed! The conversation was witty, professional, educational and entertaining! Tamara . . Doing what she loves!
Loved seeing this on CreativeLive…..awesome talent 🙂
Loved seeing this on CreativeLive…..awesome talent 🙂
If your “Why” is big enough, you will figure our how. andrewbakerphoto.com/blog
If your “Why” is big enough, you will figure our how. andrewbakerphoto.com/blog
Here is my random comment….thanks for the chance to win!
Here is my random comment….thanks for the chance to win!
Great interview! Thank you for allowing people to learn so much information.
Great interview! Thank you for allowing people to learn so much information.
Watched this on CL! Amazing interview and amazing class!
Watched this on CL! Amazing interview and amazing class!
I love Matthew Jordan Smith. I keep watching ANTM reruns hoping to see him!
I love Matthew Jordan Smith. I keep watching ANTM reruns hoping to see him!
Great interview. Just as good the second time around (cL). Thanks!
Great interview. Just as good the second time around (cL). Thanks!
this is the man !!!
this is the man !!!
I loved this interview, especially the story of the butterflies. Shoot what you love. Also loved listening to his voice – such a great speaker and storyteller. It was great to see it live, but very cool to watch again with his images to show context.
I loved this interview, especially the story of the butterflies. Shoot what you love. Also loved listening to his voice – such a great speaker and storyteller. It was great to see it live, but very cool to watch again with his images to show context.
Tamara, your class was so inspirational! And Matthew is this kind of person with such a good energy! thank you both so much! 🙂
Tamara, your class was so inspirational! And Matthew is this kind of person with such a good energy! thank you both so much! 🙂
Nicely done.
Nicely done.
I absolutely LOVE how he emphasized that feeling those butterflies in my stomach and feeling weak in my knees is NORMAL and *part of the journey* toward project completion. Thank you so much, Tamara, for starting and continuing reDefine and for your creativeLIVE seminars – your insight is absolutely priceless!!
I absolutely LOVE how he emphasized that feeling those butterflies in my stomach and feeling weak in my knees is NORMAL and *part of the journey* toward project completion. Thank you so much, Tamara, for starting and continuing reDefine and for your creativeLIVE seminars – your insight is absolutely priceless!!
This was a great video…thanks!
This was a great video…thanks!
As you know Tamara I commented before the contest but now I’ll comment again “for the cash”! This was a great interview with many takeaways. For example as a photog you have to have positive energy, trust in your work and make things happen. Shoot, shoot, shoot and sell your visions. Be open to inspiration, it can come when you least expect it. Thanks to both you and Matthew for the great conversation!
As you know Tamara I commented before the contest but now I’ll comment again “for the cash”! This was a great interview with many takeaways. For example as a photog you have to have positive energy, trust in your work and make things happen. Shoot, shoot, shoot and sell your visions. Be open to inspiration, it can come when you least expect it. Thanks to both you and Matthew for the great conversation!
This was a great interview and well placed within Tamara’s #CreativeLive workshop. It did a great job of underscoring the importance of having the faith to trust your vision enough to giveit a try. I have heard it many times said that the most successful people are those who fail the most, but keep at it despite outside and especially internal obstacles. What I thought came through and spoke to me from where I am with my photography is the importance of creating opportunities, but being prepared to take advantage of them. I believe the best sign of gratitude and humbleness when opportunity knocks goes beyond saying thank you bit making sure you can fully maximize on it.
In a lot of ways I thought a part of the story left unsung was that infrastructure that was already in place to take full advantage of the “Butterfly” opportunity. There was a trusted team, easy ways for interested parties to get in touch with the creator as well I am sure good partnerships to help take this forward and to help spread it. I would love to see an expansion of this interviewakin to what I recently saw with Photoshelter and Carli Davidson’s viral “Shake” gallery (http://tinyurl.com/3fl7uh8).
Thank you Tamara and CreativeLive. I have seriously re-examined my business since the workshop and have initiated strategies, plans and implementations I am very happy with. They will set me and my business on better ground moving forward to more consistently reach, collaborate with and bring value to my clients.
This was a great interview and well placed within Tamara’s #CreativeLive workshop. It did a great job of underscoring the importance of having the faith to trust your vision enough to giveit a try. I have heard it many times said that the most successful people are those who fail the most, but keep at it despite outside and especially internal obstacles. What I thought came through and spoke to me from where I am with my photography is the importance of creating opportunities, but being prepared to take advantage of them. I believe the best sign of gratitude and humbleness when opportunity knocks goes beyond saying thank you bit making sure you can fully maximize on it.
In a lot of ways I thought a part of the story left unsung was that infrastructure that was already in place to take full advantage of the “Butterfly” opportunity. There was a trusted team, easy ways for interested parties to get in touch with the creator as well I am sure good partnerships to help take this forward and to help spread it. I would love to see an expansion of this interviewakin to what I recently saw with Photoshelter and Carli Davidson’s viral “Shake” gallery (http://tinyurl.com/3fl7uh8).
Thank you Tamara and CreativeLive. I have seriously re-examined my business since the workshop and have initiated strategies, plans and implementations I am very happy with. They will set me and my business on better ground moving forward to more consistently reach, collaborate with and bring value to my clients.
Saw this last night, but couldn’t comment from my phone 🙁 He was awesome! You can tell that this business still excites him – and it’s contagious!
Saw this last night, but couldn’t comment from my phone 🙁 He was awesome! You can tell that this business still excites him – and it’s contagious!
Great workshop on Creative Live and a great interview. I’ve always liked Matthew Jordan Smith’s work, but never heard him speak before. It was great to hear that he is as excited about Photography as ever after many years in the business! Thanks Tamara, Creative Live & reDefine for putting out great information for the photographic community!!!
Great workshop on Creative Live and a great interview. I’ve always liked Matthew Jordan Smith’s work, but never heard him speak before. It was great to hear that he is as excited about Photography as ever after many years in the business! Thanks Tamara, Creative Live & reDefine for putting out great information for the photographic community!!!
I am making my way thru my Creative Live Show! I have a feeling I will have to watch it a couple time for it all to sink in:)
I am making my way thru my Creative Live Show! I have a feeling I will have to watch it a couple time for it all to sink in:)
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