Colorado photographer and photography educator.
A life in the viewfinder
I picked up a camera at 17 and started selling photos to the local paper.
In college I earned a reputation for spot news and as a result was soon ‘stringing’ for the Phoenix dailies. As a photojournalist I’ve shot from choppers, mountain tops, airplanes, boats and hanging off rock walls. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph a presidential parade. My photography has led me to capture the pains, passions, struggles and joys of the human experience. All of these experience define my vision to this day.
Along with being a photojournalist I was always a writer, editor and designer. These skill blended leading to many opportunities.
In the years since, I’ve been a stringer for Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, Associated Press, Blackstar agency, magazine managing editor, graphic design company owner, created a non-profit art center and served as college vice president of adjunct affairs.
Through it all I’ve only grown my passion for being in the viewfinder.
I’m still in the viewfinder creating and also focus on teaching the art and business of photography. I mentor former students whose work blows me away. That idea – being blown away by great images – is why I’ve taught since 1995. I currently teach at two colleges – photojournalism and basic digital photography – and teach private workshops.
My free time is spent with my co-rescued dog, Harley, volunteering photography for dog rescues, canoeing rivers in the summer and telemark and backcountry skiing in the winter. Thanks for giving me a moment and enjoy my photography!
~ Matthew
Recent International Awards & Exhibitions
- 8th Annual International Color Awards One honorable mention in Americana category and 6 nominations. Five in Americana photography and one in Sports photography categories.
- 8th Annual International Black & White Spider Awards Nominated in categories…People photography & Sports photography.
- 2016 International Krappy Kamera at SoHo Gallery, NYC ” Dog Spirit” Holga photograph
- 7th Annual International Black & White Spider Awards Nominated in four categories…Fine Art photography, People photography, Photojournalism & Sports photography.
- 6th Annual International Black & White Spider Awards Nominee in People, Honorable Mention in Sports
• Earlier International Black & White Spider Awards- Boys at the Circus
- Sisters – Dreams of our Childhoods
- Center for Fine Art Photography Second Place ~ Portrait (judged by photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark)
- the Art of Seeing book Coors Field & Santa Fe Plaza – “Dreams of Our Fathers”
- International Unrefined Light Exhibition Pallavacini Lift & Coors Field – “Dreams of Our Fathers”
- Prix de la Photographie, Paris (Px3) Honorable Mention – “Dreams of our Fathers – Santa Fe Plaza”
- International Denver International Airport Invitational 2008 “Mountain Guide”
- International Denver International Airport Invitational 2009 “Pallavacini Lift“
- Center for Fine Art Photography Colorado Photographers Exhibition (Portfolio Award & Exhibition): “Dreams of our Childhood”
- WPPI International Competition Wedding Photography Humor Category (3 images)
- WPPI International Competition Dog Photography ~ “the Bear”
Recent Education and Professional Activities
- Adobe Campus Leader Elected position through Adobe Education.
- Digital Photography for Educators Adobe certification using Adobe software in teaching digital photography.
- Adobe Youth Voices Certification in teaching young people how to express their voices using Adobe software.
- Featured Photographer Featured in photography text book, Wonders of Photography, by Dennis Curtain.
- Manuscript Review Reviewed manuscript for photography text book, Wonders of Photography, by Dennis Curtain.
Meet the Team
I work with qualified, paid assistants; most are current or former students. They exhibit a passion for photography, great customer service and a sense of humor. And they love dogs!
Matthew Lit
Colorado photographer and photography educator
I love the west and capturing it. My friend, colleague and Harley’s co-adopter shot this photo of me. We were collaborating on a horse rescue story she wrote.
Harley
Vice President
Meet Harley. As you can see he accompanies me often and LOVES being in front of my camera! Find more of this mug on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
Get In Touch
Contact us and learn how we can make you succeed with your photography goals! If you need great photography or want to learn photography contact us now!