Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Guajardo.
Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I picked up my first camera in 2016, starting out by capturing the world right outside my door—wildlife, flowers, and bugs around my house. Toward the end of that year, I began photographing people—small events like graduations and birthday parties. Nothing too big, but it was enough to get me hooked.
As I grew more comfortable behind the camera, I started exploring fashion and editorial-style photography. That’s when things really began to click creatively. I became more intentional—focusing on location, styling, outfits, and props to bring a stronger vision to my shoots.
That led me to collaborate with a friend on their clothing brand here in Houston, shooting product and model photography. One thing led to another, and that gig opened the door to a shoot with Timberland—a major highlight of my career so far.
Around 2020, I started diving deeper into video work. I began filming weddings and music videos for bands. Music has always been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager, so combining it with visual storytelling just made sense.
In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to tour North America with my friends in Invent Animate (definitely check them out). I handled photo and video for the band throughout the tours, and that experience helped me refine my creative style like never before. Traveling across the U.S. and Canada, surrounded by music and doing what I love—it was one of the best years of my life.
Now I’m back in Houston, freelancing full-time. I’m still creating music videos for artists and bands, and I’ve already got a full lineup of weddings booked for 2025. I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I truly believe the hard roads shape you into a better artist. The COVID years were tough—especially on the business side—but they gave me the space to focus on the kind of work I really wanted to create. It was during that time that I started honing in on my style and pushing the boundaries of my creativity. Looking back, I’m genuinely thankful for that period and everything it taught me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I like to say I have a hand in just about everything. While I specialize in fashion/editorial, conceptual, and music photography, I’ve worked across a wide range of styles—so I’m comfortable shooting almost anything. On the video side, my focus leans more toward music videos and narrative projects. I’m especially drawn to crafting strong aesthetics and creating a distinct mood that brings the story to life.
I’m proud to have worked with an international brand like Timberland—it was an incredible experience and a major milestone in my career. I’m looking forward to collaborating with more brands like that in the future. I’m also extremely proud of the work I’ve done as a touring photographer, carving out a place for myself in the live music scene and building a name through consistent, passionate work.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
At its core, art is all about feeling. It’s meant to evoke emotion and connect with the viewer on a deeper level. That’s what I aim for in everything I create—to make people feel something. Whether it’s through composition, color, or the atmosphere I build in a scene, I strive to craft work that resonates. That emotional impact is what separates good art from truly great art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattguajardo.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mattguajardo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattguajardo
