Scheduled to teach:
Born in 1974, Matt Stuart was raised in the leafy suburbs of Harrow, North West London. He admits to a less than distinguished school career, but was called upon aged 11 to play a trumpet solo in front of the Queen Mother. Her Majesty’s reaction is not recorded. A little later, in 1986, Matt discovered skateboarding after watching the film “Back to the Future”. Skating occupied his every waking moment until 1994, when he looked up from the half-pipe and noticed that girls had got a lot more interesting. He also indulged in a brief, ill-advised affair with Kung Fu. Matt’s father, keenly aware that his son would never be the next Bruce Lee, introduced him to photography, handing over books by Robert Frank & Henri Cartier-Bresson. Ever since then, photography has been Matt’s overriding passion, although he’s still quite interested in skateboards and girls. (But thankfully not Kung Fu). In 2016 Matt became a nominee member of Magnum Photos.
Matt Stuart’s Portfolio
Julia Dean Interviews Matt Stuart
LACP Founder and Executive Director Julia Dean asks Matt Stuart ten questions about his background, career in and beliefs about photography
Julia Dean: What kind of photographer are you?
Matt Stuart: Extremely keen
JD: How long have you been shooting?
MS: 20 years
JD: Where did you get your training?
MS: Three + years assisting a commercial photographer in London and 20 years shooting on the streets
JD: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
MS: Not yet
JD: Did you ever come close to giving up?
MS: Not yet
JD: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
MS: Marriage
JD: What have you gained by being a photographer?
MS: Freedom x 10
JD: What classes do you teach at LACP?
MS: Street photography
JD: What do you love most about teaching?
MS: Being in a group of enthusiastic people
JD: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
MS: Make it an obsession