“When I approach a portrait session, I believe in the preeminence of authenticity and specificity. There are no ‘square pegs’ or ‘round holes,’ only unique form, gesture, and expressiveness. Sensitivity to these temporal and fluid characteristics forms the lion’s share of my work on an environmental portrait assignment.

My aim in portraiture is the ‘marriage’ of subject and environment. Integration is the ‘yeast’ in that marriage; I never leave empty space or a banal background beyond my subjects. In my environmental portrait work, the environment shapes the human subject as much as the subject shapes the environment. It’s a three-dimensional compositional puzzle, enhanced by colour, light, and most importantly… gesture. Gesture is the intangible, unpredictable signature in the shape and movement of the places and people I aim to capture.

This process results in a compelling portrait that poses questions to the viewer and engages them on a deeper level. Authentic and carefully chosen faces, figures, and settings are what stimulate interest in commercial brands. I add value as a photographer by bringing all these elements together for my clients.”

“I’m Michael Matsil, architectural photographer living in the southwest serving Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and So. California.

I have been educated as an architect to the Master's degree level, so visually interpreting buildings, interiors and landscapes in an authentic and specific way have been the underpinnings of my photographic approach for 25 years.

My understanding of architectural design and photographic craft are fully integrated which will bring clarity and strength to the presentation of any visual project. I am seeking ongoing working relationships that especially provide you and your audience with a consistent and faithful vision of architectural expression within specific contexts.

It’s not just photography... it’s architectural photography.”

"Portraits are among my favorite images to make, because it gives me the opportunity to integrate my love of the specific character of 'environments' with the people that tread within them.

Integration is the 'yeast' in that marriage because I never just leave leftover space or a banal 'background' beyond my person subjects. In my work, environment gives shape to the human subject as human subject gives shape to the environment. It’s a three dimensional compositional puzzle that is enhanced by color, light and most importantly… gesture.

Gesture is the intangible and unpredictable signature in the shape and movement of the things and people that I look to capture. The process creates a compelling portrait that asks questions of the viewer and engages their attention on a deep level.

Portraying the powerful state of 'just being'."

"Portraits are among my favorite images to make because it gives me the opportunity to integrate my love of the specific character of 'environments' with the people that tread within them.

Integration is the yeast in that marriage because I never just leave leftover space or a banal background beyond my person subjects. In my work, environment gives shape to the human subject as human subject gives shape to the environment. It’s a three dimensional compositional puzzle that is enhanced by color, light and most importantly… gesture. Gesture is the intangible and unpredictable signature in the shape and movement of the things and people that I look to capture. The process creates a compelling portrait that asks questions of the viewer and engages their attention on a deep level.

Portraying the powerful state of 'just being'."

“I’m Michael Matsil, architectural photographer living in the Southwest serving Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and Southern California. I have been educated as an architect to the Master's degree level, so visually interpreting buildings, interiors and landscapes in an authentic and specific way have been the underpinnings of my photographic approach for 25 years.

My understanding of architectural design and photographic craft are fully integrated which will bring clarity and strength to the presentation of any visual project. I am seeking ongoing working relationships that especially provide you and your audience with a consistent and faithful vision of architectural expression within specific contexts.

It’s not just photography... it’s architectural photography.”

“As a photographer who considers ‘place’ and ‘context’ as principal motivators of their work, landscapes of an ‘industrial’ nature are a challenge and a delight for me to step up to. My approach favours views of ‘the built landscape in transition.’

As with all of my photography, the interpretive process begins by gathering within the camera frame the specific nature of colour, materiality and atmosphere. That process in turn transposes the often ‘busy’ nature of industry into an uncluttered scene that communicates the more intangible aspects of the industrial and corporate worlds. My industrial clients appreciate the photographs as not just mere description, but rather an extension of their corporate image, brand and mission.

That’s what I offer my industrial and corporate clients: honesty, clarity and meaning.”

"For over 25 years, I have been a commercial photographer who is concerned with where I am. The 'where' in life interests me profoundly. Place is a reflection of our common humanity. We shape it and in turn it shapes our thoughts, outlook and motivation.

In my world, the photography of Place encompasses all photography. My interpretive process begins by gathering within the camera frame the specific nature of color, materiality and atmosphere. It culminates in an uncluttered scene that communicates a sense of clarity around the nature of person, place and context. It's 'truth made visible'.

That's what I offer my clients: honesty, clarity and meaning."