DWF – Let’s start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.

MATT - We are best friends, in love with our kids, food lovers, faithful, crazy about photography, in love with traveling, movie watching, music listening. We have 2 beautiful kids and 2 awesome dogs and live in the driest and sunniest state of Arizona. :)

DWF – How did you become a photographer?

MATT - I started shooting photos when my brother left the house and went on a LDS Mission to Korea in 1993 to 1995. He left behind his film EOS Rebel and I was really intrigued by it. I shot with that camera, random point and shoot, and my grandmas old polaroid camera until I went on my LDS mission to Brazil in 1998 to 2000. I probably shot 2-3 rolls a film per week while I was in Brazil for 2 years. It was mind boggling all the rolls I came home with. When I came home my brother had his Canon D60 and I borrowed it all the time.  We started our business about 6 years ago just randomly shooting. I went to college at The Arizona State University Fine Art College. Angie started with making wedding videos. After our son, Maddux, was born, we decided to stop shooting videos and concentrate on shooting together. We rarely look to travel, now having 2 kids under 4 years old. So we do try to limit our destination traveling to about 5-10 weddings a year.

DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?

MATT – I am a huge fan of the arts. I also love learning. I absolutely fell in love with photography while in College and from many of the teachers who pushed and pushed and made me feel small. I am also a movie fanatic, music lover, magazine collector, and fashion enthusiast! I have also been a really huge fan of the history of photography. I really find huge inspirations in seeing the old techniques from the ones who started with smaller tools than today. I have a huge respect for artists and those who generally inspire people daily. Not going to lie, photography and creating is my drug of choice. I’m pretty obsessed with it.

ANGIE – Everything I know I learned from Matt and fellow photographers. I get my inspiration from life. My family, memories, and moments I live that I wish could last forever. I too, am crazy about music. Half of my inspiration comes from music as well as movies.

DWF- If we needed a photographer  today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

MATT – We really love the opportunity that we are given to not only be a guest at their wedding, but allow us to capture it with our own eyes and skill sets. The vintage look really fits us well, and has allowed us to be part of some incredible celebrations. Being married and working together is what sets us apart from most photographers. We not only have a passion for photography, but for love and human connection. We work so well with one another and feel like we bring two totally different styles to the table. Which gives brides the best of both worlds. I think is wonderful that brides can get a women’s perspective as well. Angie and I are both primary shooters, so when clients hire us, they know they are not going to get a random second shooter (unless Angie is pregnant of course) :) .

DWF - If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?

MATT - I’m a huge advocate that the tools of the trade can only take you so far, but of those tools we use currently, I’d have to say the prime lenses we use (Canon 24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L, 45 TSE. Once we were able to afford the opportunity to upgrade our lenses, it was like we were given new fancy brushes to paint with. It’s just awesome to use these specific tools to help capture such events and portraits.

DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?

MATT & ANGIE -

(see the gallery below for larger version)

DWF – How about some final words to live by?

MATT - Life is sometimes difficult, being in an art field we sometimes may feel like the odds are against us, but don’t get discouraged. Have faith in yourself. We all have make art and creativity that is in us and all around us.If you ever feel like the odds are against you remember this.

“Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it”. – Winston Churchill

It’s not about making a pretty blog and buying fancy actions and contributing to the look-alike wedding photography world. It’s not about being popular or a “rockstar” or whose name you can drop. It’s about caring for your clients and doing your best by them. It’s about always continually striving to improve as a photographer, as an artist, as a craftsman. It’s about never being satisfied and always striving to be better – the best you can be.

Location – Gilbert, AZ (suburb of Phoenix, AZ)

Business Name – Sloan Photographers

Websites - www.sloanphotographers.com

Blog - www.sloanphotographers.info

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