Posts By Matt Floreen
I’m Moving to Africa… Yes, Really
Hello photo friends!
It is with mixed emotions that I officially announce that I’m not booking any new work. I’ve loved these last few years as a photographer, for all that I’ve learned, and most of all, the people that I’ve met along the way. I think I will always smile when I look back on this stage of my life.
(My photo radar going off at Inna and Jared’s wedding… photo by Josh Premako)
However, the day has come to move on to bigger and better things. If you haven’t heard, Rachel and I are moving to Malawi, Southern Africa in about 19 days. Yes, moving. Yes, to Africa. We’re going to be serving at a church in that very needy country. You can read more about it here.
(That’s NOT me and Rachel… it’s the chief and his wife in Gulule, a village in Malawi I visited in 2007)
(Lake Malawi)
(It’s always a race to see if I can take the picture before there are too many kids to fit in my frame. The kids won on this one…)
(Fishermen’s children jumping off the boats. That’s a fishing rod in the background, not a spear… though they have those too.)
The only difficult part is saying goodbye to all the friends I’ve made along the way. I recognize that my business has grown because my past clients have trusted me and referred me to someone else. Thank you, each of you, for your support of me and my photography.
But I know I’m leaving you in good hands. If you need photos in the LA/OC area, I’ve updated my site with a list of photographers I recommend.
What direction will my photography take once I’m in Malawi? I’m as curious as you are. The best way to find out is to watch this blog. You can subscribe to the RSS feed, or sign up to get my latest posts by email. It might be a while before I figure out how to post photos via the African internet, but when I do, I’ll put them here.
Until then, as they say in Malawi:
Zikomo kwambiri!
(Photo by Josh Cook)
Chris & Alejandra
I can’t believe this was my last wedding…
As I mentioned in my last post, because Rachel and I are moving to Malawi next month, I wasn’t planning on photographing any weddings in 2009. I ended up doing two, and the second one would be the last wedding I would shoot (at least in California!)
I couldn’t have asked for a better couple to end my career as a wedding photographer with. Chris and Allie have such a cool story about completely re-starting their relationship in a way that honors the Lord. Their wedding was simple and honest, with nothing to distract their guests from the important things. Not only that, but they’re both extremely kind people, and were a delight to work with.
Enjoy my last wedding post…
They were such fun!
I love this one…
The fluorescent lights weren’t working in the chapel, which was a photographer’s dream come true!
Chris & Allie, I loved getting to know both of you. Your relationship is such a great testimony of who God is, and I am so thankful for getting to be a part of your wedding. Blessings!
Laney & Sarah
In light of our upcoming move out of the country, I had decided that I wasn’t going to book any weddings in 2009.
Laney and Sarah were quick to change my mind.
Not that they were pushy – in fact, that’s probably the last word that would come to mind when I think of them. In reality, they were such a gracious, unassuming, and fascinating couple, I couldn’t say no. And I didn’t regret it for a second. It was so much fun to watch them enjoy their wedding. They even took challenges like bitter cold wind and a broken bouquet with a smile.
Check it out.
Sarah.
Laney.
This photo is technically imperfect in so many ways… but I still love it!
Laney and Sarah are considering moving to Japan, so their reception had a cool Japanese flair! 
Apparently, Laney and Sarah throw food into each other’s mouths all the time. So they did it with their wedding cake too. (And yes, he caught it!)
College friends…
Laney and Sarah decide to do folk dancing, which meant everyone got to be involved! 
…and it was a ton of fun.
Laney & Sarah, thanks so much for asking me to shoot your wedding in spite of my protests. :) I loved watching your very obvious love for one another! You’re both so talented, and I can’t wait to see how the Lord uses you in the future.