When does a celebrity need a headshot?

When he's in NYC promoting a movie and his LA manager says, "We'd like you to get some headshots and use Jordan Matter. And make sure to bring him a soy latte from Joe Coffee!" Okay, I made up the part about the coffee, but the rest is true. Here are a few images from yesterday's session with James Pickens, star of ABC's Grey's Anatomy. He's one of the coolest people I've worked with.

You can see more of my headshots on my website by clicking here.

Jordan Matter on the Nightly News!

I was a guest on "The Nightly News with Chuck Scarborough". He brought me on to discuss my "Dancers Among Us" series, which has recently been featured on the prestigious Photo District News website, NBC New York, The Gothamist, and La Repubblica. He also gave me an opportunity to dish out some advice to young photographers. Wasn't I once a young photographer too? When did that change?

Jordan on the Tyra Banks Show!

Last week I was featured on Tyra talking about my photography book, Uncovered. She also invited several models from the book as well. Take a look. I'm the pasty one :) I will be featured again on Tyra this Monday at 4pm for a second episode- I was given away as a prize to a lovely woman with body image issues. My job was to photograph her nude to help her feel and look beautiful. I've always said I have the best job in the world (and the most understanding wife)- this proves it!

Uncovered at University of Connecticut

I was invited to UConn to present my book, Uncovered, which challenges social norms associated with women and their bodies. In this clip, I give a presentation on the Uncovered process, and then I interviewed UConn students who created their own project of empowerment in response to Uncovered.

Corporate Headshots

A special thanks to headshot photographer Trevor Oswalt for recommending me to the Brunswick Group for their corporate headshots. Trevor has photographed them for years, but recently he moved to Portland for a little of the good life on the west coast. I'm envious! The beautiful portraits he's taken for them over the years are hanging in the lobby, and it was my job to match his style. Trevor was generous enough to give me his lighting secrets, which I will take with me to the grave- oh, wait, I guess I gave it away in the photo above (taken by my assistant Federico Freda). Sorry Trevor.

The woman featured here is Lybra. She was the first of the executives to be photographed. Since I'm a Libra, I considered that to be a good omen. And indeed it was. They were a relaxed and fun group to work with. I understand why Trevor was reluctant to say goodbye to them. Which he hasn't, by the way. I'm keeping his seat warm until he returns to NYC.

If you'd like to see more of my corporate headshots, click here to visit my website.

Wedding photography in Princeton

Last weekend I photographed a really exciting wedding in Princeton, NJ. Alexa was getting ready at her parents home on an Alpaca farm!! She's pregnant, so there was even greater excitement and anticipation than usual. The photos above were taken at the house. I couldn't resist dragging her again and again into the snow. How many times does a photographer work with a beautiful pregnant bride on a snowy farm in February? The ceremony was on the Princeton campus (wow- quintessential). And the reception was in a downtown brewery, which had terrific beer that yes, I drank, AFTER the party! I took 2500 photos. My partner Jeremy took another 2000 shots, so I think we got it covered :)



















If you'd like to see more of my wedding photography, including additional images from Alexa's celebration, click here.

Comp cards vs. promotional photos

This weekend I photographed Nancy Upton, a repeat client I met several years ago. Initially she thought we would do a comp card, but soon it became clear she actually needed promotional photos for her website. What's the difference? A comp card is made up of specific scenario driven images to show a range of types (eg- business woman hailing a cab and college student on her cell phone). Promotional photos are usually thematic and personality driven- very much like a magazine shoot for an actor. In promo shots, you're always yourself. The point is to show your personality and marketability. Nancy is a comedienne with a terrific sense of humor. She's also a voracious reader. I decided to combine these elements of her personality, and have some fun with the idea of her reading throughout the day.

If you'd like to see additional promotional shots and comp cards, along with extensive explanations about the comp card process, click here to visit the comp card section of my website.