Meet Matthew

Fortunately, Award-Winning British photojournalist Matthew James Harrison has over 15 years of professional experience working in the newspaper and magazine industry. And, as a freelance photographer in Copenhagen, he has provided images and articles for National Geographic, the Guardian, Nike, Lonely Planet, Carlsberg, Condé Nast Traveller, the BBC, and Adidas

A murmur of starlings – known as Sort Sol (Black Sun) in Danish – photographed for National Geographic Traveller

Matthew first picked up an old film SLR camera back in 2003 and started skipping work to go and take landscape images of the beautiful Peak District area where he grew up. It was during this time that Matthew started travelling with his camera; starting in New York City and journeying across the US towards California, before moving on to the countries of Europe.

“MATTHEW LATER WENT ON TO BECOME THE NCTJ PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR IN 2011”

In September 2008, Matthew enrolled on to the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Press Photography and Photojournalism course at Sheffield in England. The course was run by renowned press photographer Paul Delmar and taught Matthew all the important aspects of becoming a professional photojournalist, including composure, lighting, post-production, and camera functions and techniques.  

 After three months working for the Derby Telegraph, it was this shot that gave Matthew a confidence boost as a photographer

But it wasn’t until Matthew accepted a position with the Derby Telegraph and Derbyshire Magazine in May 2009 that his unique style and skills came to the forefront.

Matthew later went on to become the NCTJ Photographer of the Year in 2011, as well as a finalist at the Midlands’ Sports Photographer of the Year awards and the NCTJ Images of the Year award. He was also part of the team that helped win both publications the Midlands’ Magazine and Newspaper of the Year awards, respectively.

Copenhagen’s famous bicycle bridge, Cykelslangen

Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Slash is pictured during a performance with Miles Kennedy at Copenhell in Denmark

Since then Matthew has photographed celebrities, world leaders, politicians, sports personalities, rioters, and many different people from all walks of life.

Now living in Copenhagen with his Danish partner and their two children, Matthew is working as a freelance photographer and photography instructor, and is the proud owner of Photography by Matthew James. His list of clients include Sparta, Rambøll, Deloitte, Henning Larsen, Berlingske Media, Post Danmark, Sennheiser, Nordea, Telenor and Københavns Kommune. 

In his spare time, Matthew enjoys running and swimming, playing in a band, travelling to awesome locations, and spending time with his family when they force him to.

Your photography instructor Matthew James Harrison