Matt Theilen

Contact Matt Theilen

I am a photographer based in the Lake Tahoe area. My passion for photography started in the mid 90's when I was living out of my car in Yosemite Valley. I'd moved there to rock climb full time and the camera became a tool to document my adventures high up on the rock faces. I took that camera all over the country for the next 6 years and photographed whenever I could scratch up enough money to buy film. I had no training I just photographed what I saw and tried to get images published in the climbing magazines--which was a tough gig.

Eventually I went to school and earned a BFA in photography and began to teach photography at the local university and community college. In 2006 I decided to formally start a photography business. In 2008 my wife Tara began photographing with me and it's been an amazing journey together as a husband-wife team. We love what we do and feel blessed to be able to tell the stories of people's lives with our cameras.

Where are you located? Do you charge a travel fee for weddings not in your location?

We are located in the Lake Tahoe area in Nevada. We do charge travel fees outside of the greater Tahoe region.

How long have you been in business? How many weddings have you photographed as the main photographer?

I started photographing weddings full time in 2006 and my wife Tara joined me in 2008. I've photographed more than 500 weddings from small simple elopements to huge 400 guest events.

Describe your "style" of wedding photography.

We are mainly documentary wedding photographers. We like to control as little as possible and let the day unfold naturally without a script. That said, we also love making beautiful portraits for our couples.

Do you have a studio where we can meet in-person?

We don't have a physical studio in Tahoe. We can definitely Skype.

What are your professional degrees, credentials, affiliations? Have you taken any recent educational workshops or classes?

BFA in photography + videography from University of Nevada Reno -- 2003
Owner Fireplace Gallery (a gallery dedicated to the photographic arts) -- 2004-2006
Adjunct Faculty at UNR + TMCC -- 2004-2011
Foundation Workshop Attendee -- 2015

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