From lunchtime photography to London’s creative scene, Matt is challenging perceptions of what an iPhone photographer can achieve.
Photography has always been about seeing the world differently. The equipment may change, technology may advance, and techniques may evolve, but ultimately, it’s the person behind the lens who decides what makes an image worth capturing.
For photographer Matt, that lens happens to be attached to an iPhone.
What began as a way to escape the monotony of lunchtime during his working day in finance has developed into a genuine passion for photography. Armed initially with nothing more than the smartphone in his pocket, Matt began photographing the world around him, sharing his images on Instagram and gradually developing his skills, confidence and creative instincts.
Today, his portfolio encompasses street photography, architecture, portraiture and strikingly colourful fashion imagery. His work has also appeared in iPhone Photographer GB, demonstrating that impressive photography doesn’t necessarily require an expensive camera system.
But Matt’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Despite the remarkable advances in smartphone photography, he has encountered people who remain sceptical of photographers working with mobile devices, including models who have reconsidered collaborations after discovering his choice of equipment.
Rather than allowing those experiences to discourage him, Matt has embraced mobile photography as his creative identity, continuing to explore what can be achieved with the technology in his pocket.
In this exclusive interview with HERA Magazine International, Matt discusses his photographic beginnings, the stigma surrounding smartphone photography, the challenges of photographing models on a moving boat, and his ambitions for the future.
The HERA Interview
HERA: Matt, let’s start at the beginning. How did you first become interested in photography, and what was it that made you want to start capturing the world around you?
Matt: I first became interested in photography 5 or so years ago. Working a 9-5 in finance and needing to find something to do to kill the lunchtime monotony I decided to try and take cool and interesting photos of life in my hometown. Thought as others were doing it why couldn’t I? So I started taking photos on my current iPhone at the time and uploading them to Instagram. As my skills grew and I found myself becoming more confident, so did the passion for photography. Fast forward to present day and it’s something which I’m proud to say is a firm passion of mine and something I’m happy I took up all them years ago.
HERA: You’re producing some remarkable images using an iPhone. Was shooting with a smartphone a deliberate creative choice, or did it simply become your preferred camera over time?
Matt: I started my journey on an iPhone simply because it was what I could afford at the time. I have always been a fan of the saying ‘the best camera is the one in your hand’. Or in my case ‘my pocket’. As I have grown my skills and developed my creativity over the last 5 or so years, the world of mobile phone cameras has come on leaps and bounds. As a new pro iPhone has come out each year, I have obtained it to keep on being able to shoot with the best the mobile world has to offer. What once was a choice due to affordability has now become a choice because I have found my niche in the creative space.
I recently took my current iPhone 18 Pro to a large Halloween photography event in London organised by the Uk Shooters team where I was one of the few photographers shooting the whole entire event on mobile.
I didn’t feel out of place and out my depth in a room full of photographers with their DSLR and mirrorless camera setups. I managed to get some shots which have been mistaken for shots taken on expensive mirrorless cameras when posted up onto Instagram. So why would I feel the need to switch up my setup and my niche?
Until the time comes whereby mobile camera setups aren’t advancing year on year I’m team iPhone for the foreseeable.
HERA: There’s still a perception in some photography circles that you need an expensive DSLR or mirrorless camera to be taken seriously. Have you encountered that attitude yourself, and what would you say to someone who dismisses smartphone photography?
Matt: I firmly believe that the stigma around mobile photography being inferior still exists in 2026. Not as much as several years ago with the advancement of technology; but it’s still there. I have encountered plenty of models who have been keen to initially work with me but then declined further communication once they discovered I shot on an iPhone. I would say that the gap between DSLR and mobile still exists but it’s getting smaller each cycle a new brands flagship model is released. For those who dismiss phone photography I would invite them to check out my work on Instagram. See what can be taken on a mobile. And then I would encourage them to spend 10 mins with their mobile camera to see what it is capable of. As I said above; sometimes the best camera is the one in your pocket.
HERA: Looking through your photographs, particularly some of your London Underground shots, there’s a real instinctive understanding of what makes a good image. When you’re out with your camera, what catches your eye first? Is it the light, the composition, an interesting perspective, or something you can’t quite put your finger on?
Matt: When I am out shooting I try and find the interesting and the eye-catching. Composition of course is key but I try and capture the obscure and the different. Sometimes it’s about finding something that been photographed thousands of times before and putting your creative take on it to make it individual.
HERA: Your portfolio moves between street photography, architecture, portraits and some wonderfully theatrical, colourful fashion imagery. Do you approach these different subjects with the same creative mindset, or does each require something different from you?
Matt: For me I approach each theme the same. Doesn’t matter if it’s portraiture, street, architecture or whatever I am shooting. I try and find something that is different and I’m never afraid to attempt things for the first time. Push the boundaries of what I can do creatively and what my iPhone can do too.
HERA: Some of your portrait work features striking costumes, dramatic lighting and vibrant colours. How much of the creative direction comes from you, and how much develops through collaboration with the people you’re photographing?
Matt: The majority of my portraiture work is shot at events where the lighting and costumes are already decided beforehand by the event organisers and the models; alongside their makeup artists. On the few occasions I have shot with models outside of events, I will speak at length with the model and plan beforehand. Moodboards are both a model and photographers friends when it comes to planning.
HERA: One of the things we find fascinating about photography is that two people can stand in exactly the same place and produce completely different pictures. What do you think makes a photograph stand out, and how would you describe your own photographic style?
Matt: The wonderful thing about photography is that its individual. Art is subjective and for everyone their interpretation of art differs from the next person. What I believe stands out in a photo will differ from the next person. But for me I love a photo to be punchy and vibrant. Being a bright and loud character, I love art to be this way too.
Looking through my work I wouldn’t say I have a specific style so to speak; other than it’s all shot and edited on iPhone which makes it different and niche.
HERA: Smartphone cameras have become incredibly sophisticated, but they still have their limitations. What’s the most challenging photograph you’ve attempted with your iPhone, and how did you overcome the technical difficulties?
Matt: There are times where I still find that mobiles can go ‘only so far’ when it comes to some shots. An example is shooting long exposures in harsh conditions whereby a DSLR or mirrorless camera can handle the job without issue.
I have had though plenty of success shooting on iPhone in particularly challenging circumstances. One of these earlier in the year whereby I was shooting models with 100 other photographers on a moving boat down the river Thames in London at sunset. The motion of the boat, harsh lighting and lack of space caused no end of issues at the time. But the shots I got were extremely well received and I managed to push through my dislike of water and boats in the process.
HERA: You’ve built a substantial and varied portfolio, and your work has been published in iPhone Photographer GB. Is there a particular photograph, project or moment in your photographic journey that you’re especially proud of?
Matt: There have been many moments on my photography journey so far that have brought me joy and made me proud. Whilst I can’t pin a particular moment I’m most proud of, it brings me joy to know that I am receiving regular kindness and kind words on photos I put out each week. The fact I’m known at photo events and in the wider community for the quality work I do is also something that brings me pride. To know I am building a brand and growing each day is something i take immense pride in and I hope to continue for many years to come.
HERA: Finally, looking ahead, where would you like your photography to take you? Are there any subjects, locations or creative projects you’re particularly keen to explore next?
Matt: I am hoping in the next few months and years to continue to trend in an upward direction. Keep developing my craft and self educate regularly new techniques and methodologies to help me improve. Whilst I’m happy to continue to shoot street and models at organised events, It would be great to hopefully work with models on portraiture projects and get into more that side of my photography; assuming they aren’t put off by shooting on iPhone obviously.
A Final Word from HERA
There’s something wonderfully refreshing about Matt’s approach to photography.
In an industry where conversations can sometimes become dominated by camera bodies, lenses, specifications and equipment costs, his work offers a reminder that creativity doesn’t begin with a price tag.
What started as a simple way to make his lunch breaks more interesting has become a genuine passion, one that has taken him from photographing familiar streets to capturing elaborate portraiture, attending major photography events and developing a growing reputation within the creative community.
And while Matt readily acknowledges that smartphone photography still has its limitations, he refuses to let those limitations define what he can achieve.
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of his story is that he no longer uses an iPhone because it’s the only camera available to him. He uses it because it’s the tool he enjoys, understands and has made his own.
There’s also an important message here for anyone who has ever hesitated to explore photography because they don’t own expensive equipment. Sometimes the most important step isn’t buying a better camera. It’s simply beginning to take photographs.
We particularly admire Matt’s determination to continue learning, experimenting and challenging himself, alongside his ambition to work more closely with models on individual portraiture projects.
And to any models who might be uncertain about working with a photographer armed only with an iPhone, perhaps the best advice is to look at the photographs before judging the equipment.
If you want to be inspired, if you want to see what’s possible, please do follow Matt’s Instagram – Here.
Thank You, Matt
On behalf of HERA Magazine International, we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Matt for sharing his experiences, his enthusiasm and his thoughts on the evolving world of smartphone photography.
Thank you for reminding us that photography is ultimately about imagination, observation and the willingness to try something different.
We wish you every success as you continue developing your craft, expanding your portfolio and pursuing new creative collaborations.
And we hope your journey encourages others to pick up whatever camera they have available and discover what they can create.
After all, a great photograph isn’t defined by the camera that took it, but by the person who saw the opportunity to capture it.
With thanks and best wishes from HERA Magazine International.
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