how do you find a photo project? Q&A | ep. 9

[@WillemVerb]

I need about 4 days in this office to look at all those books

[@mattdayphoto]

You’re past due for a visit, player. Come through, hell I’ll let you change the oil in the truck while you’re here.

[@Chalito5]

You’ve come a long way dude. I remember hearing about you on Reddit way back, and you had like 300 subs. Keep it up bro.

[@mattdayphoto]

Holy shit, man. I knew you’ve been hanging with me since the early KZbin days but never knew how you found the channel. Super cool to hear. Truly, thank you for being here all these years. ❤️

[@brandonsaulphoto]

Been a follower of your work for a few years now and I always enjoy hearing you talk so lovingly towards Chillicothe and Ohio in general. Growing up in Central Ohio and having a lot of family in Chillicothe, I became very accustomed to life in Central and Southern Ohio specifically. This past year my wife and I broke that life long Ohio resident streak when we moved out here to CA for her Military career. At first I'll be honest and say I was excited to get out of the temperamental Ohio weather to somewhere more consistent and sunny 😂, but after being here a year I gotta say I miss the small town vibes, cloudy days, and back roads we were so used to in Ohio. So all of that being said, I am thankful for your videos and your photobook because It brings me back to a little piece of home. Keep documenting! Also, curious of what exactly was said to you while out shooting 😂 I feel lucky to not have had too many interactions like that while I'm out yet.

[@bernardkelly235]

Consider this a pre-preorder. Sounds like everything is coming along nicely. I enjoy hearing about the thinking you're devoting to the project and how careful you're being to make sure you do it your own way.

[@mattdayphoto]

I truly appreciate that, Bernard! Most days, I feel kinda silly for caring about certain details in the process or what will be the end result, but it means a lot! I want it to feel right. Appreciate you caring and supporting. ❤️🙏🏻

[@themikepadua]

Perfect way to end my day! Stoked to see this project coming along!

[@mattdayphoto]

My man! I appreciate you! 🥹

[@willmccleland2383]

Matt its truly great to hear you talk about your work in this way, its very inspiring especially after leaving uni nearly 5 years ago its nice to have a sort of tutorial about someone talking about there own work, it helps bring ideas for my own (if that makes sense) thanks again for everything you do for the community big respect and I hope the journey of discovering this work continues.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you, Will! This is super encouraging for me to hear because sometimes while I’m recording, I’m in my head going “how is any of this going to be helpful for people” 🤣 Truly thankful for the support!

[@markusdietzel9482]

Thanks Matt, I could listen to you for hours - I can very much relate to the "identity issue" concerning the city as well as yourself... btw love your haircut;)

[@gregstevenson7401]

No extra words, just love what you do.

[@iSmeeaa]

Always a good week when Matt uploads

[@PeterGallagher1]

Thanks for the thoughtful answers and insight into this project.

[@ericmontaephoto]

Made it to the end and that person had some nerve saying all of those explicits things lol. Great video!

[@travisfellows]

This new angle/setup is 🔥! I can't wait to add another of your books to my collection.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you so much! The home office has been a constant state of evolving since we moved here in February, but I think I want to share all of the details of it in a video soon and talk about the process.

[@travisfellows]

@@mattdayphoto Working from home for the last few years I can totally understand that "evolution". For a space that you spend so much time in it needs to be comfortable and (most importantly) functional, but then it needs to look good on camera. You do a great job of this and I can't wait to see the breakdown. Keep up the excellent work!

[@TimothymakeupsDitzler]

The office looks great! That book shelf 🥵 woo. Love this project. Miss you dude! ♥️

[@mtcrun]

Thanks for the insight and inspiration Matt. I have an idea for my first focused project - documenting the everyday loves of those I love with macro and portraiture. One of the things that made me think of this is the way your pictures of the “ordinary” are always so extraordinary. My question for you is, do you use - or know of - any software to help lay out your photo books and zines? If so, what do you recommend? [Extra helpful if it is available for iPad]... I would like to have some pages that combine macro and environmental shots.

[@HannahGimblett]

It's brilliant to watch these episodes and hear how your project is evolving. I look forward to continuing to see this progress. I'm glad you're doing well, by the way, Matt. That's wonderful to hear. It would be good to catch up and chat about photography soon.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you so much for all of your support, Hannah! We definitely need to catch up. I want to hear how things are going with your project.

[@HannahGimblett]

@@mattdayphoto You're so more than welcome, Matt! I'll send you a message on IG- it would be great to chat.

[@BenRipleyPhoto]

So good, thanks Matt. Your thoughts on portraits echo mine on a project I’m working on. I’ve always shied away from approaching people and my work has thus lacked portraits. With this project I’ve convinced myself to include people but like you I need to be sure they add to the story. It’s a fine line to tread and good to know I’m not alone!

[@mattdayphoto]

Appreciate you, Ben! That’s exactly where I’m at. I know photographers that can lean into that spontaneity and almost chaotic path within a project. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, just not sure it would feel right for this project.

[@Dwarvenchef]

I found KEH from your vids years ago and now they are my go to now :)

[@caelaariel]

Really excited to see this project, Matt! 👏🏽

[@MrEddie200p]

I’ve been having trouble shooting stuff. I haven’t photographed anything since 2020 due to the pandemic & I honestly feel like I lost my inspiration to photograph anything. I just stare at my camera collection getting dusty & it’s really depressing.

[@FTTPRO]

Same. 😭

[@mattdayphoto]

I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve had struggles with finding inspiration since the start of 2020 as well, thankfully I’ve been able to work through it. But it comes and goes. Could I recommend any photo books or something that could maybe help? Something you wouldn’t normally look at or be exposed to?

[@MrEddie200p]

@@mattdayphoto Yes,I would really love that! Thank you so much!!

[@DinoJagger]

"Friend of Mine" is beautiful brotha. Can't wait for the next.

[@Chefboyar__dean]

You could take portraits of the community workers/ construction/ transit and the place of work to incorporate the story together

[@ChristopherVisser]

The hair lately is looking FINE. 🔥😘

[@FormatPortfolio]

Really insightful stuff, excited to see how the project turns out!

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks so much!

[@ottodanbyii6253]

For your "People" photos include people at work in Chillicothe :o)

[@daniellefernandes8423]

I want to do a project of my home town and watching your videos is helping me figure out what I want to do and what I want to capture

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you! That’s encouraging to hear. Best of luck on your project of your own. 🙏🏻

[@daniellefernandes8423]

@@mattdayphoto thank you! Now just to figure out if I want to shoot digital or on film haha

[@filmbenjamin]

love whats going on matt, keep it up man

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you! ❤️

[@jkjackknowles]

Thanks for another great video Matt! I myself am always battling self-doubt regarding my work and the time I put into it. How do you know if you're putting enough time into the project, with respects the act of making photos and editing? Anyhow thanks for sharing your love phootgraphy and your journey and process ❤️

[@ChiaraBizzarraGiovanelli]

Hi Matt! Can you tell me more about that magnetic board you use for your photographs and you have in the thumbnail of this video?

[@_sam]

Super cool. I started shooting this year and I’d love to make some kind of photobook for myself and family sometime. Would be cool

[@mattdayphoto]

Hell yes! Thanks for watching, glad you found photography. ❤️ Making little books of family pictures is a great practice! Both in sequencing and looking at pictures together, but just to keep that record for your family. 🙏🏻 Good luck with it!

[@darksidevenom6]

Liked the video but where do you go through to self publish?

[@mikehessphotography]

Hearing that you have trouble approaching people to ask for their picture, makes me feel better about my inability to do the same. In my own work I have purposely excluded people in my photos of small towns. One reason is that if there isn't any evidence of people, then not having portraits won't seem so odd. I am going to try to include portraits in future projects. I have had people approach me while shooting and looking back I wish I would have asked to take a picture. They have already broken the ice and are interested in what I am doing. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to ask.

[@mattdayphoto]

I struggle terribly with this. The possibility, not the likelihood, just the possibility of someone thinking that I’m pointing a camera at them to poke fun, mean harm, etc. I applaud any photographer that is able to do it respectfully. And that’s a good lesson in hindsight though! Being conscious of when that ice starts to break in future encounters with people. Good luck with everything in your project and thank you for watching!

[@447mason]

Matt day 🤝 Stan Lee Both loving Chillicothe

[@seesuper]

How about those leading lines?

[@parkermillican]

Id love to see an episode of discarded photos and why they missed the cut.

[@mattdayphoto]

This is a good idea! I’ve been thinking I’d like to do a video with just all of the prints scattered in front of me, with an overhead angle maybe, just kinda flipping through things and talking off the cuff. 🤔

[@parkermillican]

@@mattdayphoto thatd be awesome!

[@amalfrancis9590]

pretty sure it's prolly too late, but any way i can get a copy of friend of mine?

[@Rocking_J_Studio]

I find that sometimes a project can easily become an obsession. I started a small project during the early stages of the pandemic and I'm still working on it daily. I've produced over 750 images so far. My plan is to make a book, but curating that many images is going to be difficult. I guess terror is my next step. 😱

[@bonnieheadley2187]

Are you still working on your Polaroid book ?

[@bonnieheadley2187]

You for real ?

[@50cron]

That ending 😂

[@ShawnPBruce]

That ending 😂😂😂