Author: mattmon01@gmail.com

  • La Jolla Beach

    La Jolla Beach is a place where the ocean and sky seem to blend together, constantly shifting with the light. The clouds rolled in slowly, drifting over the horizon as waves crashed against the rocky shore. Sunlight broke through in patches, making the water sparkle one moment and turning it a deep, moody blue the next. The salty breeze carried the sound of the surf, creating a peaceful rhythm that made it easy to lose track of time.

    The beach was full of life, both in the water and in the air. Seals sprawled lazily across the rocks, their sleek bodies shining in the sun as they let the waves wash over them. Seagulls darted back and forth, calling to one another as they searched for food scraps. Overhead, brown pelicans soared low above the water, their wings barely skimming the surface before diving straight down in search of fish. As the sky turned soft shades of pink and orange, the sounds of the ocean and the cries of the birds slowly faded into the evening, leaving behind nothing but the steady crash of the waves.

  • Joshua Tree National Park

    Visiting Joshua Tree National Park felt like stepping into another world, with its strange, twisting trees and giant rock formations. As I hiked through the desert, the Joshua trees stood tall, their branches stretching in all directions. Their long shadows in the warm afternoon light made the landscape even more dramatic. The huge boulders, shaped by wind and time, added to the park’s wild and rugged beauty, making it the perfect place to take photos.

    The park’s plant life was just as unique. Cacti and wildflowers added pops of color to the dry desert ground. Bright yellow brittlebush and purple lupine bloomed in the sunlight, attracting hummingbirds and bees. In the evening, the cholla cacti seemed to glow as the sun set, their spines catching the last light of the day. Even in the harsh desert, life was everywhere. As the sky turned shades of pink and orange, I packed up my camera, knowing I had captured something special in this incredible place.

  • Yosemite National Park

    Last spring, I visited Yosemite National Park with my camera, ready to capture its amazing wildlife. The morning air was filled with birdsong, and I quickly spotted a Steller’s jay, its bright blue feathers standing out against the trees. It hopped from branch to branch, stopping just long enough for me to snap a few photos. Nearby, an American robin searched the ground for food, its orange chest glowing in the sunlight. Photographing these birds took patience, but capturing their beauty in such a stunning place was worth it.

    As I explored further, I saw even more wildlife. A black-tailed deer grazed by the Merced River, its ears twitching at every sound. Later, a marmot poked its head out from a rocky den, staring curiously at me before scurrying away.

    Every moment felt like a glimpse into Yosemite’s wild world. As the sun set behind the cliffs, I packed up my camera, already excited to return. The park’s animals, from tiny birds to graceful deer, made the trip unforgettable, and I was lucky to capture their stories through my lens.


    Latest Posts

  • Engagement Shoot

    I recently had the incredible opportunity to do an engagement shoot. I had a ton of fun doing it. I have photographed people before, but the added stress of needing to be in the right spot at the perfect time was a new beast to overcome. After capturing the moment the groom-to-be popped the big question, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I could relax and enjoy the rest of the shoot.

    My previous experience with posing models in other shoots helped, but I was also challenged to do more specific poses for the kind of shoot this was. I still had a great time, and the couple was so natural that I could not take a bad picture. The added stress was well worth the experience, and there is no substitute for the feeling of accomplishment I got when the bride and groom liked the photos.

  • Green Fields for Biking

    Green Fields for Biking

    Sed a rutrum neque, non euismod lorem. Nam dapibus mi ut ligula interdum laoreet. Sed sollicitudin metus nec massa venenatis tincidunt. Donec mollis augue vel tellus ultrices aliquet. Curabitur non nibh in enim lacinia porttitor non eget lorem. Donec tincidunt felis ac sapien ullamcorper tempus. In orci enim, iaculis sit amet turpis nec, vestibulum condimentum ipsum. Suspendisse lorem odio, imperdiet eu viverra ut, hendrerit at ante. Duis at quam quis diam ullamcorper rutrum. Sed dignissim dolor augue, id volutpat urna eleifend non. Mauris interdum rhoncus risus, nec gravida metus tempor sit amet. Donec tristique mollis odio, sed interdum purus tincidunt ut. Integer ex odio, aliquam fermentum accumsan sed, fermentum vitae lectus. Maecenas pulvinar facilisis congue.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi eu mattis tortor, eget dignissim lacus. Maecenas finibus lorem ut ligula gravida, et porttitor nulla semper. Vivamus risus elit, luctus placerat lorem sit amet, auctor maximus purus. In viverra varius tincidunt. Curabitur ut commodo leo, eget malesuada massa. Etiam auctor viverra porta. Praesent non turpis sed ex egestas congue sed sed purus. Maecenas elementum orci sapien, ut hendreri.

  • Summer in New Zealand

    Summer in New Zealand

    Sed a rutrum neque, non euismod lorem. Nam dapibus mi ut ligula interdum laoreet. Sed sollicitudin metus nec massa venenatis tincidunt. Donec mollis augue vel tellus ultrices aliquet. Curabitur non nibh in enim lacinia porttitor non eget lorem. Donec tincidunt felis ac sapien ullamcorper tempus. In orci enim, iaculis sit amet turpis nec, vestibulum condimentum ipsum. Suspendisse lorem odio, imperdiet eu viverra ut, hendrerit at ante. Duis at quam quis diam ullamcorper rutrum. Sed dignissim dolor augue, id volutpat urna eleifend non. Mauris interdum rhoncus risus, nec gravida metus tempor sit amet. Donec tristique mollis odio, sed interdum purus tincidunt ut. Integer ex odio, aliquam fermentum accumsan sed, fermentum vitae lectus. Maecenas pulvinar facilisis congue.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi eu mattis tortor, eget dignissim lacus. Maecenas finibus lorem ut ligula gravida, et porttitor nulla semper. Vivamus risus elit, luctus placerat lorem sit amet, auctor maximus purus. In viverra varius tincidunt. Curabitur ut commodo leo, eget malesuada massa. Etiam auctor viverra porta. Praesent non turpis sed ex egestas congue sed sed purus. Maecenas elementum orci sapien, ut hendreri.

  • River Activities

    River Activities

    Sed a rutrum neque, non euismod lorem. Nam dapibus mi ut ligula interdum laoreet. Sed sollicitudin metus nec massa venenatis tincidunt. Donec mollis augue vel tellus ultrices aliquet. Curabitur non nibh in enim lacinia porttitor non eget lorem. Donec tincidunt felis ac sapien ullamcorper tempus. In orci enim, iaculis sit amet turpis nec, vestibulum condimentum ipsum. Suspendisse lorem odio, imperdiet eu viverra ut, hendrerit at ante. Duis at quam quis diam ullamcorper rutrum. Sed dignissim dolor augue, id volutpat urna eleifend non. Mauris interdum rhoncus risus, nec gravida metus tempor sit amet. Donec tristique mollis odio, sed interdum purus tincidunt ut. Integer ex odio, aliquam fermentum accumsan sed, fermentum vitae lectus. Maecenas pulvinar facilisis congue.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi eu mattis tortor, eget dignissim lacus. Maecenas finibus lorem ut ligula gravida, et porttitor nulla semper. Vivamus risus elit, luctus placerat lorem sit amet, auctor maximus purus. In viverra varius tincidunt. Curabitur ut commodo leo, eget malesuada massa. Etiam auctor viverra porta. Praesent non turpis sed ex egestas congue sed sed purus. Maecenas elementum orci sapien, ut hendreri.

  • Winter Travel Guide

    Winter Travel Guide

    Sed a rutrum neque, non euismod lorem. Nam dapibus mi ut ligula interdum laoreet. Sed sollicitudin metus nec massa venenatis tincidunt. Donec mollis augue vel tellus ultrices aliquet. Curabitur non nibh in enim lacinia porttitor non eget lorem. Donec tincidunt felis ac sapien ullamcorper tempus. In orci enim, iaculis sit amet turpis nec, vestibulum condimentum ipsum. Suspendisse lorem odio, imperdiet eu viverra ut, hendrerit at ante. Duis at quam quis diam ullamcorper rutrum. Sed dignissim dolor augue, id volutpat urna eleifend non. Mauris interdum rhoncus risus, nec gravida metus tempor sit amet. Donec tristique mollis odio, sed interdum purus tincidunt ut. Integer ex odio, aliquam fermentum accumsan sed, fermentum vitae lectus. Maecenas pulvinar facilisis congue.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi eu mattis tortor, eget dignissim lacus. Maecenas finibus lorem ut ligula gravida, et porttitor nulla semper. Vivamus risus elit, luctus placerat lorem sit amet, auctor maximus purus. In viverra varius tincidunt. Curabitur ut commodo leo, eget malesuada massa. Etiam auctor viverra porta. Praesent non turpis sed ex egestas congue sed sed purus. Maecenas elementum orci sapien, ut hendreri.

  • Rocky Mountains

    Rocky Mountains

    Sed a rutrum neque, non euismod lorem. Nam dapibus mi ut ligula interdum laoreet. Sed sollicitudin metus nec massa venenatis tincidunt. Donec mollis augue vel tellus ultrices aliquet. Curabitur non nibh in enim lacinia porttitor non eget lorem. Donec tincidunt felis ac sapien ullamcorper tempus. In orci enim, iaculis sit amet turpis nec, vestibulum condimentum ipsum. Suspendisse lorem odio, imperdiet eu viverra ut, hendrerit at ante. Duis at quam quis diam ullamcorper rutrum. Sed dignissim dolor augue, id volutpat urna eleifend non. Mauris interdum rhoncus risus, nec gravida metus tempor sit amet. Donec tristique mollis odio, sed interdum purus tincidunt ut. Integer ex odio, aliquam fermentum accumsan sed, fermentum vitae lectus. Maecenas pulvinar facilisis congue.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi eu mattis tortor, eget dignissim lacus. Maecenas finibus lorem ut ligula gravida, et porttitor nulla semper. Vivamus risus elit, luctus placerat lorem sit amet, auctor maximus purus. In viverra varius tincidunt. Curabitur ut commodo leo, eget malesuada massa. Etiam auctor viverra porta. Praesent non turpis sed ex egestas congue sed sed purus. Maecenas elementum orci sapien, ut hendreri.

  • Winter Destinations

    Winter Destinations

    Sed a rutrum neque, non euismod lorem. Nam dapibus mi ut ligula interdum laoreet. Sed sollicitudin metus nec massa venenatis tincidunt. Donec mollis augue vel tellus ultrices aliquet. Curabitur non nibh in enim lacinia porttitor non eget lorem. Donec tincidunt felis ac sapien ullamcorper tempus. In orci enim, iaculis sit amet turpis nec, vestibulum condimentum ipsum. Suspendisse lorem odio, imperdiet eu viverra ut, hendrerit at ante. Duis at quam quis diam ullamcorper rutrum. Sed dignissim dolor augue, id volutpat urna eleifend non. Mauris interdum rhoncus risus, nec gravida metus tempor sit amet. Donec tristique mollis odio, sed interdum purus tincidunt ut. Integer ex odio, aliquam fermentum accumsan sed, fermentum vitae lectus. Maecenas pulvinar facilisis congue.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi eu mattis tortor, eget dignissim lacus. Maecenas finibus lorem ut ligula gravida, et porttitor nulla semper. Vivamus risus elit, luctus placerat lorem sit amet, auctor maximus purus. In viverra varius tincidunt. Curabitur ut commodo leo, eget malesuada massa. Etiam auctor viverra porta. Praesent non turpis sed ex egestas congue sed sed purus. Maecenas elementum orci sapien, ut hendreri.