J. Matt

Freelance Photographer & Reporter · Oʻahu

From, and based in, Honolulu J. Matt is a wire service, assignment, and documentary photographer — as well as a reporter and feature-writer. Their work focuses on global warming and environmental concerns and where those intersect with place and social, political, and economic affairs. In 2024, J. Matt was honored by the ASJA as one of a group of writers and journalists whose work, "elevated our industry's standards and continue[s] inspiring fellow writers and journalists to push the boundaries of storytelling and reporting;" selected as having written one of Longreads’ best pieces of the year; and lead reporter, writer, and narrator on a PRX podcast team which won Silver (documentary) and Bronze (history) Signal Awards. Their reported and photographed account of Paradise, California’s recovery from the Camp Fire has become a source of record in wildfire recovery, referenced in academia, the national press, Congressional documents and the national public health discourse. In addition to journalism they have worked as a teacher, architect, custom photo printer and in myriad building trades.