Meet Lauren di Matteo | Commercial Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren di Matteo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’m an all-in type of person, so when I started my business, that meant creating constantly, spending all of my time and energy being a photographer. Early on, I went through the phase of saying yes to everyone and everything, shooting as much as humanly possible. Going at this pace, I eventually lost steam. The work I was producing was repetitive, and I was run down, spent on passion direction, and creativity. This art that I love lost its luster, and I stopped really growing as an artist. There and then, everything came to a screeching halt. Developing a healthy work-life balance has been a journey, but it’s also been the key to my success as a photographer.

After taking some time to reflect on projects I loved and jobs that made me feel most alive, I started leaning into those areas with my strong sense of curiosity often leading the way. I spent time traveling around Europe—my beloved Italy in particular. I prioritized investing in relationships at a diverse community garden in San Diego where I was exposed to new foods, new cultures, and new experiences in my own backyard. I developed a love for being active outdoors and devoted more time to serving friends and family through cooking for them. These people, places and passions inspired me. They fed me as a human and an artist and it all spilled out into my work.

I have to sustain a thriving personal life to be fed as an artist and be able to go and create. As I capture the lives and worlds of others, their stories of heritage and hard work, sustainable practices, and incredible finished products, I can’t help but be shaped by them and pursue the same in my own life. And so there’s this beautifully symbiotic relationship at work, where my personal life inspires me to make good art, and my subjects cultivate in me a desire to live well—to buy ethically, garden regeneratively, work hard and invest my time in meaningful ways.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a commercial photographer based in North County San Diego for the last 10 years or so. My work captures the beauty of heritage and hard work, celebrating the inherent dignity of my subjects. I am drawn to stories of craftsmanship, sustainability, and ethical sourcing and am passionate about bringing those to light. Whether photographing a Michelin-starred chef or farmer in foreign fields, it’s the commitment to craft and persistence through hardship that I find inspires my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh goodness, this could be a long, long list…

San Diego’s brunch game is very strong. I’d start my Saturday at either Wayfarer Bread (go early, take a friend, and order one of everything), The Great Maple (the original location in University Heights, get the donuts), or Queenstown Public (it’s all good). Then, straight to the farmer’s market in Little Italy, but have a coffee at Bird Rock first. You definitely won’t be hungry for lunch, but just in case you are, eat at Tribute Pizza in North Park, Menya Ultra in Mira Mesa, Crack Shack in Encinitas, or Alforon on El Cajon. Work off the calories by hiking Torrey Pines, unless it’s the heat of summer–avoid tourists and just do it before Wayfarer. For dinner, I love the ambiance of Ironside Fish & Oyster, the rooftop bars at Born & Raised and Cucina Enoteca (Del Mar), and everything is delicious at Costa Brava. Gelato at An’s Dry Cleaning or GelatoLove in Carlsbad for dessert, followed by lengthy beach walk. Sunday? Rinse and repeat.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The phrase ‘it takes a village’ is very fitting here. From my wonderful parents who have supported me in this journey since day one, to my tribe of treasured friends and creative community that keep me fueled to create the best work possible, day-in and day-out, I couldn’t do it without you. And, of course, to the countless folks who have hired me and inspired me to make good art–it’s an honor to tell your stories.

Website: www.laurendimatteo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmdimatteo/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmdimatteo/

Other: Blog: https://blog.laurendimatteo.com/