Winter is hard. And not in a *wink wink hehehe hard* way. But actually, maybe? I hope it is for you. Honestly, I love when I know my friends are gettin’ some. Unless it’s with some fuckboy, usually named Travis. Or Spencer. Or sometimes even a Jared. Oof- men with J names are the WORST (sorry any J named man that I just alienated, but you’re probably a fuckboy and maybe you don’t realize it yet. Did I just help you grow???!) EDIT- I am also adding BRANDON to this list.
Winter is the season of darkness- literal and metaphorical. Of frosty mornings, biting cold evenings, and semi-decent afternoons when the sun does decide to peek it’s lil head out. Of cozy evenings at home, hot showers, and isolation. For someone who already really likes to burrow into bed and rewatch every episode of every show featuring Nene Leakes (the most efficient way to get serotonin shot into your system is watching Nene Leakes come for someone. Starr Jones? Check. Wig (Kim Zolciak)? Check. She is too good for us) winter only enables and reinforces that behavior. Which honestly, now, is the worst thing to do. For this reason, I am grateful and passionate about photography.
I get asked why I like taking pictures of things so much and honestly? The best answer I can give is that it helps ground me to this place we’re all stuck on. It helps me silence the cacophony in my head for a little while. It helps me be present which, in 2025, is a small miracle. I used to think that winter was an ugly season. Of death, and bleakness, and darkness. And in many ways it is. But to reduce it to that is such a disservice. Winter is a time of minimalism and austerity, when you get to see earth at its most stripped back. Maybe you see cool rock formations buried under thick underbrush the other 9 months of the year. Maybe you get to see frost-kissed moss, sparkling and textured in the sunlight. Maybe you take extra note of the dramatic clouds blowing in from the bay, towering, deep and dark. Maybe you don’t see shit, and don’t leave your house for a week. That’s fine too! When you do leave, it’s a guarantee that you’ll see the world with fresh eyes, taking in every bit of detail around you.
Know what you absolutely, definitely, 100%ly should NOT do though? Fuck anyone in a 500 mile radius named Travis, Spencer or Jared. They might blow your back out, they might even let you blow their back out, but I can guarantee they won’t blow your mind. Maybe unless you’re on acid while blowing their back out. But who are we kidding- not even that. So to anyone named Travis, Spencer, or Jared I challenge you: DO BETTER.
WAIT! Before I leave- I wanted to leave you a movie list of incredible cinema that are some of Matt’s favorite picks to enjoy on a gray day in. There is one actually good movie amongst a sea of completely rancid, deranged, brain smoothing filth. It’s up to you to find the one good choice 😉 Call it movie Russian Roulette:
- Gay Bed and Breakfast of Terror (2007)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- Gigli (2003)
- The Room (2003)
- The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again (2020)
- Passions (1999- this is a TV series)
- Mega Python vs. Gatoroid (2011)
WAIT AGAIN!!! Before you leave and immediately file a restraining order against me, at least enjoy the photos below. They’re of some of my favorite captures so far this year 🙂
Seattle- January 2025
La Vida Veeta 