Hi, I’m Jonathan Matthie (pronounced Mat-Thie); introspective wanderer and idealist creator behind the self-titled www.jonathanmatthie.com and its variation on the theme: photograthie.com.

During my formative years, I was raised in the creative macrocosm of an old barnyard, once upon a time in the farmland heart of Ontario, Canada. I like to think it often plays a part in helping me see the world with a little more brightness.

I’ve always found solace in art; in painting, music and photo creation. I’m always looking so deeply at all the things, trying to find meaning. Perhaps in-part due to my over-analytic personality. So it’s taken awhile, to work to where I’m now finally

discovering a person who I think is more true version of myself. For me, photography has always been a sort of therapy to me. And while there are some superb artistic photographers out there, I don’t try to emulate anyone or their styles. I see with my own eyes. I create with my own mind. I’m a word player, a moment maker, and a reflexive catcher of falling objects with foot. I thank my Dad for teaching me that last trick. It’s saved a camera or lens on occasion!

Overall, I have a passion for candid storytelling and visual reportage, and I now predominantly use Fujifilm cameras. Be it for clients, or my own personal projects, it is so important to me that my work is authentic, sympathetic, uncontrived — an exhibition of humanity. My primary objective is to create images that return a client back to that very moment in time at their event. I’m interested only in what’s actually happening, the moments as they unfold. So I rarely direct, move or prompt my clients or their guests in any way. I don’t ask them to “look at me” but rather at each other, instead. I try and remain as unobtrusive as reasonably possible, concentrating on emotion.

Love and humour, a simple hand gesture or eye contact, just a simple shift of the eyes… a mere look can turn an otherwise uninteresting image into one that I (and hopefully clients) will enjoy forever. To “make” a moment… it’s not as easy as it looks! I encounter a variety of people through what I do, who are all basically just looking for a bard, to tell their tale. It’s helped me break the ‘bubble’ — delve deeper into the nature of the world around me, and the human condition — my own, included.

This is, likewise, why I decided on the deeper process of becoming a Photojournalist — it really lets me connect with people, learn about my community and discover the full power that photography holds: when it connects with others, revealing glimpses into their daily lives. This ultimately has the added hindsight to help alleviate personal negatives in my life as well. It’s also become a daily reason to get out of the house, and has helped me, one picture at a time, to keep moving forward, just a little more each day, too. Therapy, therapy, therapy!

I can be an ‘introvert’ at the best of times, whether I’m actually trying to make some hard cash, or just working on a personal project; getting to know my community and/or environment, my journey as a photojournalist has many times and in many ways, helped me mitigate these mental obstacles. Which is why I go back to the idea of photography as a sort of beautiful, exercising therapy, for both body and mind. In particular, it pushes me out of my bubble, both emotionally and physically. I would say that the journalism aspect gives me the freedom to do what most, well… choose not to, anymore: Actually listen to people. Talk with them. Learn from them. I also just happen to make photos with them. And even while a picture “speaks a thousand words” sometimes I write about an aspect of their lives alongside the photo, revealing something everyone can appreciate.

It’s not always easy. But in doing so, I’ve found that good things happen, and I am able to experience and see a little something more about all the things ‘life’ unexpected.

“Listen. Tell stories. Take photos. Write words. Speak truth. Even if your voice trembles. Even if your hands shake.”

These are the words I live by each day I commit to showing a part of this world in a new light.

Everyone has a story. Let me show yours.

Hopefully you will see what I see through my shared portfolio. There are also many side projects and a blog to peruse, meant to showcase other beautiful moments of my every day — I hope you will enjoy these also!

— JKM.