Matt Suess
Full-time Professional Nature & Wildlife Photographer & Educator. An OM SYSTEM, NiSi, & Fotopro Ambassador.
Photography has always been a huge part of my life starting at the age of 12 when I had my own black & white chemical darkroom. That early interest launched a full-time professional photography career that began in 1990 and continues today.
For the first 17 years of my career I was a photojournalist based in New England. I am a digital photography pioneer and began teaching digital photography to photojournalists in the late 90’s, helping bring digital cameras to two different newspapers. I was awarded the 2003 New England Press Associations Photographer of the Year award for my work at the Cape Cod Times. During my time as a photojournalist, I also photographed weddings & portraits, as well as corporate and commercial assignments.
In 2006, I decided to leave all of that behind and move west, where I am now a fine art landscape and nature photographer, educator, and publisher.
I teach numerous field photo workshops domestically and internationally throughout the year as well as providing online courses in addition to in-person presentations and online webinars, and through my YouTube channel. My passion for sharing and teaching what I have learned during my long career is evident in my down-to-earth and encouraging approach with my students.
I live in Bozeman, Montana where it gets just a little cold in the winter (major sarcasm there) and ORORO is perfectly suited. I live there with my fiance, professional fine art painter, and workshop assistant/guide Whitney Hall and our two blue heeler cattle dogs. I am found online at thefotoexperience.com as well as @mattsuessphoto on all the major socials.
I was introduced to ORORO by one of my winter photo workshop clients who owned an ORORO vest and gloves. He loved them so much that he convinced me to immediately purchase my own vest and gloves. Then I got a vest for my fiance, then another pair of gloves were ordered, and then a third ... suffice it to say I was sold on ORORO from day one!
Reason to join the ORORO Squad
One of my photography students recommended it to me during one of my winter photo workshops and I've been in love ever since.
What’s your favorite thing about ORORO?
That it keeps you warm, is dependable, can handle the elements, very stylish, priced right, always coming out with new styles, and they just work perfectly and get the job done.
What are the best 3 words to describe yourself?
1) Passionate - I have a great deal of passion for the outdoors and helping people see and photograph the beauty around them. I am lucky to be a professional nature & wildlife photographer and educator and can share that passion with countless photographers.
2) Inspirational - As a nature photography educator, I feel it is not only my job but also my duty to inspire those around me who attend my workshops or online courses. There is nothing better than seeing that inspiration manifest itself in my clients excitement & enjoyment after finally being able to "get the shot" themselves.
3) Funny - Even though I can be dedicated & passionate, I still know how and when to let loose a little and try to see the lighter sides of life and share that with others.
Please share a short story about an important challenge that you've overcome (in your life, hobby, or profession)
I used to love being a photojournalist and covering the news and professional sports. Yet in the early 2000's the newspaper industry went into a major decline and many photographers lost their jobs due to corporate downsizing or the newspaper closing its doors. I took that challenge head-on and left my 17-year photojournalism career to move west and be a full-time nature photographer and educator while also selling my fine art prints. It was an extremely difficult challenge to take on, but one I can't regret as I'm now able to help & inspire people in the most exciting way possible - by showing and helping them experience the natural beauty all around us.
