Learn Photography
With Fine Art Photographer & Educator Matt Suess
Improve Your Photography With
Fine Art Photographer & Educator Matt Suess!
Fine Art Photographer & Educator Matt Suess!
Learn photography from professional fine art photographer, educator & writer Matt Suess of Bozeman, MT & Scottsdale, AZ.
Study with a photographer who has over 28 years of experience and who absolutely loves teaching.
Join thousands of photographers who have learned from Matt and start taking better photos now.
learn.mattsuess.com
What and How Do You Want to Learn Today?
Photo Workshops
View my Field and Classroom Photo Workshops here!
Each year I teach a number of field and classroom photo workshops. In 2017 I have field workshops in Grand Teton National Park in the spring for two different workshops: one a Night Sky Milky Way Workshop (only one seat available) and Spring Landscape Workshop (only one seat available) in addition to a Fall Foliage Workshop.
I also have a Fall Foliage Workshop scheduled for Zion National Park and will be adding dates in Bozeman, Montana for classroom workshops using ON1 RAW as well as Macphun's Luminar & Aurora.
Online Courses
View and enroll in my online courses such as Mastering Aurora HDR 2018, Mastering Luminar 2018, Better Landscape Photos with Lightroom, and more.
Private One-On-One Instruction
Study with me one-on-one - view the different options here!
Sometimes the best training comes from personalized one-on-one instruction. Choose from in-person sessions and online sessions where we can share computer screens and have the session recorded. All one-on-one instruction is catered to your personal needs.
Get my FREE E-Book!!
Learn all about shutter speeds, ISO, apertures, and how to read your histogram in my FREE E-Book Understanding Exposure and Your Camera Settings Today!!
What makes Matt qualified to teach me?
Experience Matters.
Matt started his photography career when he was 20 back in 1990 and has been a full-time professional photographer & educator ever since. His passion for photography began when he was 12 years old when he had his own black and white darkroom.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Matt carved out a very successful career as a photojournalist for 17 years, culminating in his award of the 2003 New England Press Associations Photographer of the Year. In his career he has photographed celebrities, U.S. Presidents, professional sports (MLB, NFL, NHL, PGA, LPGA, & Pro Tennis), breaking news events, musicians, and more. He has worked with and/or been published by the Associated Press, USA Today, the Boston Herald, the Connecticut Post, Hartford Courant, Cape Cod Times, National Geographic Traveler Magazine, Cape Cod View Magazine, the Middletown Press, and Men’s Journal just to name a few.
During his 17 year photojournalist career he also worked in advertising, commercial, portrait, studio, stock, and wedding photography through his business Matt Suess Photography.
Matt is a digital photography pioneer and began teaching digital photography to photojournalists in the late 90's. His passion for sharing and teaching what he has learned in his impressive and long career is evident in his down-to-earth and encouraging approach with his students.
When Matt moved to Arizona in 2006 he left his photojournalism career behind to pursue a career as a fine art landscape photographer & educator. Since then, he has established himself as one of the leading fine art landscape photographers and photo workshop teachers in the area, if not the US. He has exhibited his photography in 8 states out west at such heavily juried shows as La Quinta, Utah Arts Festival, Jackson Hole Art Festival, Indio Arts Festival, and the Crested Butte Art Festival.
His main exhibition now is the prestigious Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, where 2018 will mark his 5th consecutive year at the 10-week show which runs from January - March. The rest of the year Matt teaches field & classroom workshops in at least 5 different states each year, offers online classes, one-on-one instruction, and provides FREE webinars & education for ON1 and Macphun Software.
But it is Matt's love for teaching that really stands out!
Matt loves nothing more than to share his extensive knowledge with his students. He is passionate about photography and he is passionate about teaching photography and that passion clearly comes through with his teaching style and ability.
Knowing that photography is part technical but also part emotional, Matt is able to explain the technical parts in easy to understand language and addresses the emotional part of photography by showing how one can easily express themselves with their photography and post processing. Matt understands that each student is different in their needs and doesn’t teach them how to photograph like him but rather encourages and guides each student to find their own voice and style through their own photography.
Lastly, Matt holds nothing back. He will teach you as much as you want to learn and teach you all of his “secrets”. In his field workshops he will bring you to his favorite locations and show you how to create the best possible photos from those spots and in his classroom workshops he will show you exactly what he does to his photos and help you adapt it to your own style.
What Matt's Students Have to Say
Actual testimonials from online, classroom, and field workshop students.
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As someone new to photography, Matt was exceptional at cultivating my novice level while educating the group at a comprehensive level in the photography field. He worked relentlessly to provide us the knowledge necessary and incessantly positioned us in superlative places for stunning scenic and wildlife pictures. Matt has extraordinary talent in the realm of photography, however, he is equally as impressive with his teaching and relational skills with his students.
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Thank you very much for a great workshop. I learned and practiced more things in this workshop than in all the others I have taken.
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I found Matt’s one on one tutorial session was a perfect format for me to learn HDR. Matt’s warm and personal approach immediately put me at ease. Matt perfectly sized my skill level and personalized the pace so the information flow maximized my absorption of the subject I was able to interrupt and ask questions whenever I needed without concerns of interrupting a class. This really accentuated my climbing of the learning curve. Matt is a skilled teacher and made it “All about ME”. In two hours time Matt led me from neophyte to knowledgable user. I can’t imagine a more efficient way to enhance my photographic skills. The followup recording of our session provided positive reinforcement solidifying my new found expertise. I consider it a true value and a hyper efficient methodology for skill transfer. I will be using Matt’s skills as an expert teacher again. I look forward to our next session.
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This was the class I was looking for. I had been using Perfect Photo for about a year and had watched some of the video presentations but did not really have the feel I wanted for the program. I had been searching for several months for someone to teach a face-to-face class and finally came upon Matt after seeing a link through on1’s emails. This was a crash course but it was perfect. Great explanations and demonstrations with plenty of time to ask questions and receive one-on-one time when needed. Matt’s experience as photographers and users of the software was very evident. It’s nice to have someone who actually uses a program in real life situations instead of a company representative. After sitting through this class, I can now start to do more with my photos and use Matt’s and on1’s videos as refreshers to the class. I now have a better understanding of the capabilities of the program and what I want to do or need to do with my photos.
General F.A.Q's Regarding Matt's Workshops
What sets your workshops apart from other workshops?
Can my spouse, relative, friend, pet, etc. attend any or all of the workshop?
I have a no tag-along policy. Spouses, family members, friends, etc. who are traveling with you and who haven’t registered are unable to partake in any group functions. Workshops are also not a location for pets and as such are not allowed with the exception of guide dogs. If a spouse or friend wants to attend they will need to register.
Do you photograph during field workshops?
Yes I do on occasion and only when the light is amazing or when I need to photograph certain subjects for later classroom use. When I do photograph along with my students, the goal is to inspire them to learn to see an image the way I do. It can be extremely valuable watching me work a scene. Rest assured however that I am far more concerned that my students get the shot and ALWAYS put their needs first.
Do you provide travel insurance for your workshop participants?
I do NOT provide travel insurance as part of my workshop fees, but definitely recommend it. I highly recommend trip insurance that also includes travel health insurance. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating (although note I have no personal experience with this company). The cost for travel insurance is typically 4-7% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other variable factors.
What’s included in my tuition? Rooms, transportation, meals?
Tuition includes all lectures, fieldwork, guiding, classroom instruction and critiques of your digital files during our classroom sessions. Travel costs, lodging, entrance fees, and meals are not included in the cost of admission unless otherwise specified.
Are there restrictions on participation?
My workshops do not normally entail strenuous activity unless specified. Nevertheless, participants must be able to complete moderate walks/hikes with their required photo gear, sometimes on uneven or slippery surfaces. If you have any health problems or physical limitations, please let me know prior to booking.
Why should I attend one of your workshops?
What level of photography experience do I have to have in order to attend one of your workshops?
It depends upon the workshop, so please check with the specific workshop you are interested. I especially love teaching beginner and intermediate photographers.
What should I bring with me to one of your workshops?
What happens in bad weather?
I love weather of all sorts! Great photos can be found under some seemingly dreary skies. Many times we will be out in stormy weather, provided it’s not putting you or your equipment at risk. Great pictures can happen during fog, snow, rain and mist. If conditions are too extreme, we will find a location to wait out the weather. During this time, we can work on our images on our laptops while I assist you and give demonstrations.
Do you provide transportation?
I do not supply transportation for my workshops. I encourage participants to carpool once the program has begun, to minimize our impact on the environment and to facilitate parking. Please come expecting to share your car with others or to jump in and share someone else’s.
Visit & Purchase From My Sponsors
Consider making your purchases from one of my sponsors listed below. These are products and companies that I have personally used and highly recommend!
ON1 Software
Now available, ON1 Photo RAW, a competitor to Lightroom and Aperture, from the makers of ON1 Software.
Macphun Software
Made for Mac (Windows coming soon). Save 10% on Aurora HDR, Luminar, or their Creative Kit with coupon code mattsuess
Singh-Ray Filters
Save 10% on your order by using coupon code matt10 when ordering any filters direct from Singh-Ray.
B&H Photo
For all your Photographic Needs. It is where I get most of my camera gear.
PhotoDeck
Photography Websites with a Brain. My online photo galleries are run by Photodeck. Save 50% on your first month by using coupon codeYG@UOEFQC
About Matt Suess
Matt has been a full-time professional photographer for over 28 years and has quickly become one of the leading fine art photographers & educators in the United States. Matt is a digital photography pioneer and began teaching digital photography to photojournalists in the late 90's. His passion for sharing and teaching what he has learned in his impressive and long career is evident in his down-to-earth and encouraging approach with his students.
You can see his work at fine art exhibitions such as the prestigious Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale in addition to other select juried events. In addition Matt teaches field & classroom workshops in at least 5 different states each year, offers online classes, one-on-one instruction, provides FREE webinars & education for ON1 and Skylum Software, and still finds time to spend with his fiancee & fine art painter Whitney M Hall as well as his companion & Best Friend Scrappy.