Check Out Matt Lydy’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Lydy.

Hi Matt, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I opened the doors to my first studio in 2005. Photographers were starting to transition from film to digital, and it felt like the right time for me to enter the market. I started my photography journey in my teens, working as a photographer for the Marietta Senior High School yearbook and newspaper in Marietta, Ohio. My father was a photographer in the 50s and was instrumental in guiding and critiquing my work in those early years. He helped me build a darkroom in our basement, and quickly I was developing my own film and prints. I loved the journey from capturing an image to watching it come to fruition in final print form in the developer tray.

That process sped up significantly as we transitioned to digital photography. Seeing those images immediately after pressing the shutter was a game-changer for me. Up to this point, I spent most of my time photographing landscapes, but the birth of my daughter was a turning point. I had never given much thought to portraiture, but I quickly realized the importance of capturing images of people. In the early years, I would take on almost everything that came my way, newborn photos, family pictures, weddings, and events, but it was high school senior photography where I found my passion.

There was something special for me about having a young person come into my studio with their entire life in front of them, and it was my job to capture one of the first milestone moments in their life. Not only that but to do it in such a way that makes them comfortable and excited.

The first fourteen years were spent in central Ohio, photographing seniors from all over the region. In January 2020, my wife and I decided to purchase a bed and breakfast in Norwalk, Ohio. So we packed up everything and moved north. Of course, the pandemic hit shortly after that, and everything was postponed. During that time, I had the itch to open a studio space, but the timing didn’t feel right. However, in the fall of this year, I stumbled across an inexpensive space that could be converted into a studio space, and I have just finished moving into that area.

In this next phase of my photography career, I’ll continue to work with high school seniors, but I’ll also be expanding to high-quality headshots and product photography.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are hills in valleys in life. My journey has been no different. Often with each valley comes an opportunity to journey up the hill to the peak. The biggest challenge that I have consistently faced is the number of new businesses that attempt to enter the market each year. The barrier to entry in photography is essentially nonexistent. The market is consistently flooded with photographers charging a rate that is unsustainable to remain in business when you factor in all the costs associated with running a business.

Those photographers often drag the entire market down in a race to the bottom regarding pricing. If you shoot enough photos, you’re bound to get something useable or “good enough.” The challenge is being able to reproduce the quality and experience repeatedly. That is something that takes training and education.

That is where I’ve often found my path to the peak. I have enjoyed helping several photographers improve their photography and business skills by giving back through various teaching opportunities and speaking engagements. Every time I have put energy into helping someone else grow in the industry, I have been rewarded. There are endless opportunities to teach others if they are willing to listen and implement changes.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have two areas of specialties high school senior portraits and what I’ll call expressive headshots. My senior portrait sessions took on a life of their own, with many seniors calling them fashion shoots. I wanted them to have the feeling of being a model for the day. The session is all about them, they choose the music, and they bring lots of clothes. My wife and I then work with them to coordinate the backgrounds and outfits. We do on-location shooting and in-studio work.

Our in-studio work is really what separates us from others. Many photographers refer to themselves as natural light photographers. I like to say I can work with any light. Understanding light enables me to get quality images regardless of the situation.

I am also known for my sense of humor. Photo sessions should be fun, and I do everything in my power to make sure that everybody who chooses us will walk away with amazing images and stories of laughter to tell from their session. When I can get my clients to laugh, everything that holds a person back from expressing themselves melts away.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Join as many photography guilds as you can. Join the Professional Photographers of America, your state affiliate, and your local affiliate. Network with as many other photographers as you can. A rising tide raises all ships, and your peers in the cohorts can often bail you out in emergencies. I have countless photographer friends I can upon in an emergency, and that is invaluable!

Also, price your work correctly! Account for all aspects of the business because it is much more difficult to raise your prices than it is to lower them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lydyphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/mattlydyphoto
• Facebook: Facebook.com/mattlydyphoto
• Twitter: twitter.com/mattlydyphoto