Meet Matthew
I’m writing to you from our garden on an unusually hot summer’s afternoon. It’s a typical example of a modern build afterthought – a small patch of grass to hide the rubble buried beneath – but it’s become one of my favourite areas of our home. It’s a place for water fights, late afternoon picnics, and snow angels.
But this year, we planted our first kitchen garden. It was a project that had humble beginnings as a herb bed, a little place to grow some of the food that we eat. It wasn’t long before the herbs were joined by summer salad, beetroot and purple carrots (who doesn’t like purple food?!), strawberries for the children and a small teepee of sweet peas.
By now, you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this. In it’s own way, this little patch represents the core strands of my photography business: family and food. Although the kitchen garden was my project, it quickly became something that my children wanted to help with: they’ve planted seeds, watered and weeded. It’s one of the things that makes our family special to us. Just like making sourdough with my little boy and ice cream with my little girl.
Food brings us together. We celebrate with food. We meet at the end of the day over food.
Courtesy of Jade Tinkler Photography
I run my business with my wife, Carole, from our home in the small village of Trentham in Staffordshire. It’s a lovely place to raise our young children, and we’re only a few minutes from some of the prettiest countryside in the county; perfect locations for my family portrait sessions. There is also a vibrant farming and food community that often features in my work, but I’ve also had the pleasure of shooting businesses throughout the UK: from the bustling streets of Borough Market all the way to the quiet countryside of the Lake District.
But what I’m most inspired by is the stories behind the people I’m with. The parents that choose the park where they had their first date for their family shoot. The child that brings a toy given by a late grandparent. The couple celebrating their love in a pottery museum. The chef creating dishes inspired by the view from their window.
We’ve all got a story waiting to be told. I can’t wait to tell yours.
Courtesy of Jade Tinkler Photography
When Matt’s not shooting, you’ll find him…
by Carole
Kind Words
Matthew Owen
Matthew Owen is a freelance food photographer known for creating beautiful, authentic images for marketing, digital and magazines. He is based in North Staffordshire and is ideally placed to work with clients in Cheshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.