Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Fabiano
Matthew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got started as videographer in 3rd grade filming skateboard video’s with my friends. I would document our days and edit our tricks/skits with a VHS recorder learning to cut, add slow motion and music. Every year I continued using camera’s inside and outside of middle school, high school, and college where I graduated with a BA in Television production and honestly felt unsure about my career. I didn’t want to join “the rat race” so I took many years away from my camera gear.
In 2019 I was inspired by a group of gifted friends in the Ocean Beach community to invest in new camera gear with a new vision for my future. Since then, I have shot freelance photography for local businesses, corporate brands, skateboarding magazines and personal projects. I find inspiration through nature, travel and especially through other’s professional work.
Currently I work full time with IATSE 122, a stagehand union where I work as a camera operator/stagehand producing live events at San Diego’s most beautiful venue’s including The Rady Shell, Jacobs Music Center, and more often for corporate events at the San Diego Convention Center. I truly come alive and feel born to shoot when I’m behind the lens.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly not been a smooth road along the way and I don’t think this road is anywhere close to where I want it to take me. For six years I struggled trying to find a line of work that I truly enjoyed outside of video/photography. During that time I learned to enjoy the simple things in life and it eventually lead me right back to where it all began.
It’s almost as if I had to leave it all behind, only to rediscover it with a fresh pair of spectacles. Once I recommitted to this craft, things slowly started to fall right into place including relationships, finances, and truly enjoying my “day” job.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a photographer who specializes in brand photography and skateboard photography. I feel most proud of my progress in skateboard photography because it’s taken my whole life to learn. You have to find the right angle, timing and the right location to place flashes in only a matter of minutes. Timing is always of the essence in skateboarding. In some occasions you only have one shot and there’s no room for error and in others you can be there for hours.
These experiences help build my skills in a unique way and reflect the way I shoot for lifestyle brands and product photography. I feel that skateboard photography helps me shoot in a style of my own.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by how one lives. I feel that success has many parts to it including your inner happiness, ability to love one another, an ability to adapt to change, serving others and creating a life you truly enjoy. I am not the best example of this just yet but I believe success is mostly an internal state of being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mattfabphoto.com
- Instagram: @fabiano_photo
