Meet Anyssa Matthews | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anyssa Matthews and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anyssa, how do you think about risk?
I’ve learned that growth and comfort rarely exist in the same place. A lot of the opportunities that shaped my journey in photography came from taking chances before I felt fully ready — reaching out, creating anyway, showing up anyway. If I had played everything safe, I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today. Risk has taught me to trust myself, and even now, I feel like there’s still another level waiting for me when I’m willing to take even bigger chances

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For me, photography has always been about emotion, connection, and making people feel seen. I never wanted my work to just look beautiful — I wanted it to feel real. I think what sets me apart is the way I capture people in a softer, more honest way while still bringing creativity and storytelling into every shoot.

Getting to where I am today definitely wasn’t easy. There were a lot of moments where I doubted myself, felt overlooked, or questioned if I was good enough to keep going. But I kept creating anyway. I learned that consistency, vulnerability, and believing in your vision matters more than having everything figured out from the start.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth comes from taking chances and trusting yourself before you feel fully ready. I want people to know that my brand is built on heart. Behind every photo is someone who genuinely cares about people, their stories, and creating something that they can feel connected to for years to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend visited San Diego for a week, it would be all about beach days, good food, and time in nature. We’d start with coffee by the ocean, spend days at places like La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, and Coronado, and explore Balboa Park in between.

We’d eat at local taco spots, catch sunsets every night, and end the days by the water. What I love most about San Diego is the feeling — it’s creative, peaceful, and full of life all at once.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a shoutout to Hendo from Hendo Studios. He’s taught me so much throughout my journey and has always been someone who genuinely wants to see others win. I’m also incredibly grateful for my clients — they’ve meant everything to me. Even on hard days, they remind me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

Instagram: @davianadivinephotos

Image Credits
@davianadivinephotos
Location @hendostudios