Meet Matthew Bodfield | Photographer

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

Hi Matthew, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Photography really started at a point in my life when I was trying to figure out what to do after I graduated, I was in a terrible place mentally. I lost the little opportunity I had and ended up leaving the job that I thought would help start my career. In between interviews and just trying to figure everything out, I’d go back the University of Miami every other week and rent a camera from the library. As time went on I grew to love photography, even if I didn’t really know what I was doing. Fast forward a year later, I received a call from a close friend of mine that I went to school with, asking me if I’d ever shoot sports and my initial thought was “there’s no way I’m ready for that” but he saw something in me at the time that I didn’t see in myself. I’d end up receiving a call from the NFL to shoot content in Miami and that’s where it starts. I think I pursued a creative career because it broke a paradigm in me that everything had to happen a certain way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s always funny to look back at where I started. From renting a camera through the University of Miami Library, to being unemployed and finding joy in something like photography. I wasn’t prepared to be on the sidelines of NFL games or to take pictures working for the Miami Heat, but what I did learn was every season of my life has its pace. Some days you’re cutting down a net after winning an ACC Championship, and some days you’re forcing yourself to stay in bed because there was nothing to look forward to. I learned that I don’t have to be the most experienced or well versed, it comes with time. It was tough at first and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t still learning as I go. I overcame knowing that life can change in a year and understanding that difficult times are like a furnace, refining things in me, preparing me for the next season of my life.

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?
I’d go on a food tour of my favorite spots, Mandolin to start, then Hillstone in the Gables, a consistent staple like Greenstreet, where I’d go for breakfast or dinner during the week. For pasta I’m going with Sapore di Mare and for pizza I’d say Pauloluigi’s also in the Grove or Old Greg’s in Design District. Lastly I’d stop at Platea in Pinecrest, one of my favorite steakhouses.

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?
A lot of who I am today is in knowing that Jesus is the author of my life. I don’t know where I’d be without a praying mother. I had a tough coach in high school who helped me see that sports were a lot like life, and that I have to love even the worst parts of it. I’m also grateful to have a friend in Adam White, for making a call that definitely changed the trajectory of my life when it comes to photography.

Instagram: @mbtthew