Meet Matthew Jackson | Photographer/Videographer

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

Hi Matthew, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I don’t think many people know just how much time is spent at the computer editing. Most people see you take a photo or video then you deliver it to them or post it on social media and they think that is it. I probably spend 20% of my time planning a shoot, 15% actually taking pictures or video, and the remaining 65% on the computer editing. But, that is also the part love (maybe hate a little) being at the computer with the dogs asleep on my feet working on my edits, no boss, no timecard.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For the last 10 years I have been a photographer, mostly within the scope of event photography. However, when covid came around the events stopped. So, I decided to focus more on landscapes and enjoying time outside. Which is what I really love but doesn’t really pay well so I am changing paths and moving to aerial photography and video. I am hoping \trying to get a different perspective and views on subjects that have been captured thousands of times. I feel that standard photography is a dying business. Cell phones photos are really getting amazing and there are so many people fighting for the same jobs; it was time to adapt and change and I am hoping that working with drones will allow me to continue making great images people want to see.

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?
If they had never been to San Diego I would take them to La Jolla Shores in the late morning. It is one of the most beautiful areas in our town and was just ranked #2 beach on the West Coast by USA Today. I would send my drone up and show them how much life is in the ocean not more than 10o ft off the beach. I have been lucky enough recently to find Great Whites. dolphins, Leopard Sharks, and seals on one flight. On the way back, we would probably stop at Mauricio’s on Adam Avenue for lunch. Everyone here has their “best Mexican food” place, and that is mine. Then you can walk a couple blocks and make a quick stop at SKA bar for a rooftop drink before finishing off the day at The Ould Sod (best pub in San Diego) catching up.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, 100%. She saw how miserable I was working in an office and encouraged me to pursue something that would make me happy. She is always there when I need a confidence boost, and a second set of eyes when I have been staring at the same image for an hour and I need a different perspective.

Instagram: @m.p.jackson

Youtube: youtube.com/@mjackson3643

Image Credits
Matthew Jackson