Chasing Moments: The Wildlife and Sports Photography Journey of Nate Mattson
Welcome to our next installment of "Behind the Lens," where we dive into the stories and inspirations of talented photographers from around the globe. Each of our featured photographer blogs offers a unique glimpse into their creative journeys, showcasing the passion that drives their compositions.
Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Nate Mattson, whose stunning work captures the fierce beauty of wildlife, as well as his ability to freeze incredible, fast-action shots of adrenaline-fueled sports. Join us as we explore Nate's story, learn about the challenges he's overcome, and discover the moments that have helped shape his photographic vision.
A Tale of Two Passions: Sports and Wildlife Photography
The start of Nate's photography journey began back in 2013, during his senior year of high school, with only his mother's Fujifilm point-and-shoot camera to work with.
“I can’t exactly remember what drew me to photography,” Nate recalls. “Perhaps it was just a curious itch to see what I could do with my spare time. I started off with portraits, moved into local wildlife in the nearby parks, and then eventually transitioned to sports.”
The real fun began when Nate picked up his first DSLR, a Nikon D3100, and started photographing his younger brother's football games. This avenue of photography provided him with something specific to focus on, a style and niche to master. It was his introduction to fast-action sports photography, and every image, every moment he captured, brought a warm feeling of satisfaction, as well as appreciation from those around him.
This fueled his drive into what it is today as he professionally captures motocross racers in their element. His work in motocross media has introduced him to a community that feels more like family than just a client base.
“The motocross community is unmatched,” Nate says. “It’s not just about the sport; I get to bring athletes and parents the joy of frozen moments that highlight their accomplishments and the hard work they've put in over the years. I allow them to showcase who they are and what they love the most. Many of them feel like very good friends and family rather than clients. We call it the 'moto family'; we look out for one another, and it's all about the kids and celebrating them.”
While sports photography feeds Nate’s professional side of this lovely art form, it’s wildlife photography that brings him a deep sense of peace.
“With wildlife, I can find calm in an otherwise 'noisy' world that can often be hectic and demanding. I quiet my thoughts and focus on the task at hand, thinking about the shots I want to capture and the animals I’d love to encounter and interact with.”
One memorable moment from middle school stands out: during a science trip to Lake Coeur d'Alene, Nate went on a bald eagle-watching cruise. He was thrilled to capture a bald eagle on camera, and little did he know that these majestic birds would eventually become the main subject of the hobbyist side of his photography adventures.
The beautiful thing about passion-driven hobbies is the ability to power through early mornings and late nights. It becomes easy to make the treks to capture your favorite moments, no matter where you need to go or how you get there.
“Many people know that when I’m out in the field, I’m there from dark to dark,” Nate says. “I don’t want to waste a single moment of good light.”
Regardless of the niche Nate is capturing, the end result is always the same. After all the post-processing efforts, the completed edits bring just as much excitement and emotion as capturing the moments themselves. His goal is for his audience to feel what he felt while he was there, to experience the story behind each moment he captured. “We may not all interpret the same way, but that is the point of art. Isn't?"
The Art of Letting Go: Overcoming Envy in Photography
The art of photography is by no means perfect. Photographers often encounter various challenges, especially beyond the act of taking pictures. One of Nate’s most important lessons came from a common struggle: envy.
“It’s very easy to see a great piece from someone else and compare your work to theirs, thinking, ‘Well, mine is good too—what about me?’”
This feeling can become especially difficult with social media. It’s easy to feel left behind or to develop a sense of deserving recognition, which can lead to negative thoughts and envious emotions that may tarnish your experience and hinder your personal photography aspirations.
Nate made some incredible points to help others overcome this pitfall: “This is supposed to be something we all love, pushing each other to be successful and expressive creators. It took many of the friends I've met on my journey to show me what it truly means to enjoy the experience and support one another. Take a moment to remember why you're doing what you're doing. Create what makes your heart flutter, and share without expectation. Then watch your growth explode in art and in life.”
We all have to remember that comparison is the thief of joy. When we see the beautiful work of others, we should let it inspire us rather than bring us down. A major mission at TheLifeWeCapture is to create a welcoming and supportive community for photographers—a place where we highlight success and encourage one another to grow through our failures. By sharing these insights from fellow photographers and learning about how they've overcome their struggles allows us to hopefully alleviate some of the common burdens the rest of us may run into throughout our lives. Use these experiences as inspiration and guidance for your own personal growth and success.
Dream Shots and Unforgettable Moments
Every year, Nate sets out to capture his dream shot, and each year, he’s managed to accomplish it. While he currently works on vividly picturing his next dream shot of eagles there are some longer term goals he has in store.
“I’d love to photograph bison in the snow in Yellowstone or a mature elk during the rut in Grand Teton,” he shares. Capturing a mother grizzly with some of her cubs in the Alaskan Frontier with its towering mountains in the background is also high on the bucket list.
We always love to hear about our featured photographers' favorite photography memories and share them with all of our readers. When we asked Nate, he said that by far the best memory he has had thus far is when he and a group of friends he met through Instagram met up and visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton. It's truly amazing how social media can connect us with others who share the same passions and interests.
They made a week-and-a-half trip out of it, traveling together through the parks and embarking on their own little side adventures. Of course, like any trip, there were some hectic hiccups, but with a few months of planning ahead, they were able to rent a cabin in the woods and wake up every morning to explore the untamed wilderness. Even with limited sleep, often only about four hours due to the long drives through the parks, but in the end they were all fueled with excitement to create incredible memories together.
This is where Nate experienced his first encounters with wild grizzlies and black bears, elk, massive bison, and a variety of other birds and wildlife. He also witnessed stunning aurora light shows in the pitch-black of night. It was an unforgettable time in his life, and the connections he made with his like-minded peers will last a lifetime.
"Life truly has not felt the same since we left the park and all parted ways. It's incredible who you can meet on your photography journey and how they can become a significant part of your life."
Continuous Learning and Looking Ahead
One thing people may not know about Nate is that he’s entirely self-taught, a graduate of what he affectionately calls “YouTube University.” “I never took a photography class or attended a workshop,” Nate explains. “I learned everything through YouTube, from Steve Perry to Morten Hilmer.”
As Nate continues to grow in his craft, his sights are set on beautiful frontier of Alaska, the ultimate destination for bald eagle photography. “I shoot eagles every winter in North Idaho, but Alaska? That’s the mecca with over 40,000 bald eagles. I can’t wait to experience it.”
Nate’s journey is one of relentless pursuit, growth, and passion. Whether he’s capturing the speed and intensity of motocross or the serene beauty of wildlife, one thing remains constant, his love for the art of photography.
Follow Nate’s Journey
Show your support for Nate by visiting his Instagram profiles, one for his wildlife and another dedicated to his motocross, and follow along his future adventures. You can also DM him if you're interested in purchasing any prints of his incredible work!
Instagram: @transcendentwildlife
Instagram: @transcendentphotog (also on Facebook)
4 comments
Amazing Blog!!! I really enjoyed reading this and the photos are incredible!!! Great job Nate!
Nate your work is absolutely breathtaking. I love how you use various angles and distances to capture that “moment”
Nate has been shooting our boys racing motocross for the last 2 years and I am so thankful to have the memories and moments the sport brings captured to cherish forever his work is phenomenal!
As his mother, I’ve gotten to watch his journey and cheer him on from the side lines. He is a perfectionist with his finished product and takes so much pride in his work. Even his beginning pics of his brother’s football games were amazing. I hope everyone takes a moment to follow his pages on social media to watch the rest of his journey! You won’t want to miss it! #proudmom