Rising Stars: Meet Matthias Marklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthias Marklin. 

Hi Matthias, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve found that the paths we journey down in life are often unscripted and sometimes we may not fully see the driving force behind the decisions we make. Even from the time I was in high school many of my decisions, from the classes I took to the way I spent my time, were aligned with my interests and curiosity at the time. I took every engineering and robotics course my high school offered, enjoyed time spent in shop class with a lathe course, worked on 2 and 3-dimensional projects in a design course, and even pursued an independent study in digital photography. 

With so many different interests and pursuits, a specific career path was not an easy choice for me to make. I opted to take a “gap year” before I began my college studies in order to give me time to intentionally weigh the options before me. I enrolled in a program with 11 other students and 3 instructors that took place in Peru and Bolivia. For three months we all experienced a truly unforgettable trip – from the heights of the Peruvian Andes too deep within the Amazon Rainforest in Bolivia, we found what it meant to be a global citizen. We were welcomed by complete strangers who wanted to share their culture with us, and I left South America profoundly changed by everything I had witnessed. 

In the years that followed, I chose to pursue a liberal arts degree at St. John’s college that began in Annapolis, MD for my freshman year, and then I transferred to the sister campus in Santa Fe, NM. Though I was still enrolled in the same college, the move out west was pivotal for me and I became closely involved with the Outdoor Program that fostered my adventurous spirit in conjunction with my academic studies. Throughout this journey, I had my camera at my side to document my experience. 

I found that by using my camera to capture the special moments around me I was able to gain a greater appreciation for living in the present and share the beauty that I see in the world. This notion held true during two seasons I spent as a rafting and kayaking guide in Jackson, Wyoming where I worked with fellow guides to lead trips as long as 6 days through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. 

In 2021 I finally made the decision to take what I had learned from all the previous experiences in my life and embark on a full-time creative endeavor as a photographer and videographer. I wanted to pursue this idea, this dream of mine, to create and share beautiful moments that leave lasting value. My life is woven into my work, and my eye turns to those authentic moments which transcend industries, from architecture to lifestyle and outdoor adventure. I’m in pursuit of something which is true to who I am, and the fulfillment I receive from my work pushes me to remain curious and expand my skill set. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I certainly can’t claim that the road has been smooth, but I have learned to embrace the uncertainty of the present while still keeping my sights set on distant goals. While I can look at the path and life trajectory of other creatives in the field, there isn’t a specific blueprint for each situation or each person. This can be thrilling, but also implies that what worked for some people does not apply in every situation. 

I’ve found that the greatest struggle has been to find my own voice in my work. With so many talented creatives and an abundance of work on social media, it can be difficult to stay focused on a cohesive body of work. While it is important to try new techniques and gain new skills, this can sometimes take away from authenticity if you are always pursuing the latest trend or style. There are times where I look at the work of fellow photographers and am really moved by their work. Instead of feeling an urge to replicate the specific style, I have instead learned to take the inspiration that I feel and try to apply it to my own work in unique ways that keep me excited to go out and use my camera. 

In learning to embrace the twists and turns of the road in the present I have encountered experiences that I couldn’t otherwise plan or envision. It’s important for me to keep a set of goals in mind with where I would like to end up eventually, but allowing myself a bit of spontaneity in the present has become indispensable. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work as a freelance photographer with a specialty in a variety of industries and situations. My background covers a number of interests, from architecture and design to the spirit of outdoor adventure. While the scope of my photography is wide-ranging, my approach and technique is consistent. Story exists all around us, and I use the visual tools of photography and videography to create a narrative that that is both engaging and leaves the viewer with a sense of curiosity. This is the thread that connects much of my work, and my experiences build upon each other to further support and influence the way I approach my craft. 

It’s a matter of the individual parts coming together to create a larger whole. An image on its own certainly conveys a feeling or depicts an experience, but a series of images or video can create an even greater connection. This is what I strive for – taking the skills I have acquired across several disciplines and bringing them together in a way that creates something larger than the sum of the individual parts. 

Beauty is not limited to one particular field, and whether I am photographing the design and architecture of a space or a close friend skiing through the wilderness of Wyoming, I strive to find the human element that conveys the beauty I see and create a meaningful connection with the viewer. It is at once both personal and communal because the moments that I see through my camera convey a feeling, but this feeling can then be both shared and interpreted by others. It’s not just an image that I create at the end of a day, but a collection of feelings, thoughts, and ideas presented in the digital format of a picture or video. The realization of these special moments is what I am most proud of, and the ability to share it with the world. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Allow your dreams to direct your path, but don’t underestimate the importance of having a list of goals and staying focused. Take the time to honestly check in with yourself along the process and give yourself the time and space to make it your own, whatever it is you do. Starting out in a creative field can be one of the most daunting leaps you take, but at the end of the day can also be the most personally rewarding and fulfilling. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiomarklin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthiasmarklin/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSKmoZqtVXl0oCV-iegUzXQ