Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Dippel.
Hi Matthew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well, I’ll start from the beginning I suppose. My name is Matthew Dippel, from Grand Rapids, MI. I moved to Utah roughly 5 years ago, but before I get to that I’ll tell you how I started. My interest for photography sparked in High School. I took a videography class my Sophomore year and ever since then I have been interested in anything with a camera. I used to make silly little videos with my friends on a small digital blue handheld camera, we would act, produce, edit, we would do it all. After High School I went to a small business college in Midland, MI and got my degree in Advertising & Marketing. All through college I studied Graphic Design, trying to scratch that creative itch. It scratched it for a time, until I graduated college. I got a job at a digital marketing firm in Grand Rapids, worked that for a little and soon realized that a 9-5 desk job wasn’t really for me. After that I picked back up a camera and started taking photos of anything and everyone that would let me. I really dove into it. I was primarily doing landscape work right out of the gate as I have a love for the outdoors. Slowly after posting my work on Instagram I got asked to take some portraits and start doing some work outside of just hobby work. Everything really changed for me when I took a trip with my buddy Josh and documented the whole thing via photos. We booked a 1 way ticket from GR to Seattle, rented a car and drove down the coast for two weeks, camping along the way down to LA. I took a photo in Yosemite that ended up going viral in 2017 and really putting my name on the map. I took a photo of a proposal at Taft point and could not find the couple in person, so I took it to social media. The search led me to be interviewed by several new sourced like CNN, BBC and the likes. I was also on Good Morning America to where I finally met the couple and connected with them. After that I started working in the music industry because a buddy of mine who knew I was taking photos and asked me out to one of his shows. I hadn’t known that being a music photographer was a path that I could take, so after this show that is what I started relentlessly pursuing. Pretty soon after all of this COVID happened and shut the world down. After all of that and COVID restrictions were starting to get lifted I packed up all of my things and moved out here to SLC. I had no plan at all moving here so when I first moved here I got a bar job at MTN West Hard Cider. As I was working that I was cold emailing venues and everyone around trying to get my name out in the city. After a couple of months I ended up getting booked by a DJ to work a local show hosted by Mutiny Music Collective. From there I met Danny and Alex (owners of Mutiny) and we hit it off, became fast friends. Ever since then I have been the main photographer for Mutiny for the last 4 years, grateful is an understatement, The movement that Mutiny has brought to SLC has been something really special to be a part of. I should also note that all during this I have been working at White Horse a couple of nights a week as well, to make ends meet.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Between photography being an expensive field to get into and the music industry being so fast paced and competitive, the road has for sure been rough. Countless hours of watching videos and teaching myself this craft. I think personally though self motivation is the hardest for me, I’ll do a ton of work and get burnt out very easily. The gigs have eb and flows, ups and downs. Overall though I really am so grateful to be able to do this work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in Concert Photography. Specifically in the EDM space but I will work whatever genre is thrown at me. I am most well known for my work with Mutiny, a music promoter in town. I’ve also proudly been a part of the Kilby Block Party Media team the last 4 years. People tell me all the time that they most recognize me for my colors and how I edit my photos.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Honestly I’m not sure I am looking for a mentor. I’ve had a struggle teaching myself, yes, but overall it is much more rewarding for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gorgeouscornchip/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.dippel
