Matt Aden Photography: Capturing the Natural Beauty of Southern California

Southern California has always been a landing place for artists and photographers. But few of them have risen to a level of recognition that develops into a thriving career. While the majority of local artists fail to break the mold and bring new energy to the art scene, there’s an occasional personality that shines through and reminds us how remarkable, colorful and unconfined the natural world can be. And Matt Aden is one of those.

Aden graduated from Colorado State University and moved to San Diego in 2007. Immediately charmed by the "sights, sounds and smells" of southern California, it wasn’t long before he decided the natural beauty of the San Diego coastline was something he forever wanted to be a part of. And so began a successful career in photography that would transform his life and catapult him to a kind of local celebrity status.

Aden’s photography can’t be easily summed up, but the narrative that comes to mind when viewing his work is one of life, color and motion. Aden’s photography is, unquestionably, some of the most spectacular and thought-provoking in San Diego, bringing out perspectives that most photographers fail to capture. He proves that taking the perfect picture requires more than just a good camera, but a genuine fascination and connection to the wondrous, diverse beauty that is southern California. And it’s this personal connection that enables artists like Aden to excel.

Aden shoots everything from thundering wave breaks and stunning beach side sunsets to rushing tide pools, thriving harbors and urban landscapes. Captured from unconventional angles and idyllic fronts, Aden’s methods of picture-taking go well beyond the traditional point-and-shoot approach. The result is a stunning depiction of classic San Diego scenery that offers new, never before seen perspectives to our beaches, shorelines and marine life. And this is part of Aden’s gift: offering glimpses of our distinctive south Pacific surroundings that even the life-long San Diegans are moved and perplexed by.

Whether it be a remote-looking, offshore paradise, the radiant sun melting into the Pacific, or a lone surfer, quietly shuffling over the sandy beach, Aden’s photos are captivating; brimming with life, color and curiosity. They express a rare, tantalizing viewpoint that’s lacking in most of today’s art; introducing to the public a wild, unexplored beauty that can only be found in a place like southern California.

You can learn more about Matt Aden and view more of his stunning photography by visiting his website and photo gallery at mattadenphotography.com, or become a loyal fan and follow him on his Facebook account at www.facebook.com/Mattadenphotography.