By Caroline Barry

Popularly known on Instagram as @mattxiv, junior Matt Bernstein’s photography is more than just a hobby. With more than 35,000 Instagram followers, his ever-growing account features photos from shoots with friends and celebrities, sponsored partnerships and bathroom selfies in WHS.

Bernstein first began to explore photography with a basic point-and-shoot camera in middle school. Now, he shoots his photos on a more advanced Canon T4i DSLR.

According to Bernstein, he relies on both preparation and spontaneity. “I plan [what the model will] wear, the model’s makeup, where it will be and what time of day, and then in terms of actually shooting we just kind of show up and figure it out,” Bernstein said.
​
One of his recurring models, senior Maddie Kevelson, described one instance of Bernstein’s artistic improvisation.

Kevelson once cut her finger on a piece of broken glass during a shoot. Kevelson said: “The cut started to bleed, and the first thing Matt said was, ‘Wait, just stay there.’ So there I was, holding my bleeding hand on a bunch of broken glass. But the picture was so beautiful, it was worth it.”

Some of Bernstein’s more well-known models are Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg and YouTuber Connor Franta. Bernstein sent Franta a direct message on Instagram, and the two agreed to meet up in Manhattan.

Most of his models are people he has connected with via Instagram or his friends. “I like people who are interesting-looking and also have good personalities,” said Bernstein. “It’s fun to relate to the person you’re shooting.”

When he isn’t taking photos to post on his Instagram, Bernstein also works with small clothing companies. He does paid shoots and sponsors small brands. Bernstein said: “Daniel Wellington is a company that I do work with, and they send me things that I have to post and tag….There’s definitely a difference between doing promotion for a company and doing work for a company.”

For Bernstein, photography is more than a creative outlet. “In a profound sense, it’s a way for me to exist outside of Westfield.” said Bernstein. “Being a photographer and using social media to connect me to other people and things has let me make a life for myself that’s more exciting than here.”