Lecture Notes: Interview with Celebrity Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith

Introduction

• Speaker: Matthew Jordan Smith, 61-year-old Celebrity Fashion Photographer
• Notable Work: Photographed celebrities like Oprah, Samuel L. Jackson, and Aretha Franklin.
• Life Overview: Born in New York, moved to Tokyo, Japan at age 52. Currently on his fourth marriage.
• Key Themes: Life experiences, career in photography, personal growth, and insights on living a fulfilling life.

Age and Life Reflection

• Turning 60 was a significant milestone; brings awareness of life's fragility.
• Recent personal losses include his youngest sister, father, and mother in the past three years.
• Photography provides a visual record of family and personal history.
• Importance of cherishing daily life and not taking waking up for granted.

Career in Photography

• Path: Started as a fashion and beauty photographer in 1987, New York City.
• Growth: Transitioned to photographing celebrities through magazine covers and beauty work.
• Advice: Passion for craft is crucial. Avoid focusing solely on fame and money.

Insights on Life and Career

• Love your work genuinely, through good times and bad.
• Focus on personal passion rather than material wealth.
• Find what's important to you personally, not what society dictates.
• Importance of trying new experiences, even in later life.

Living in Japan

• Provides a sense of safety and belonging more than the US.
• Challenges include work opportunities but compensate with personal happiness.
• Cultural shift from valuing materialism to valuing experiences.

Personal Growth and Relationships

• Marriages: Four marriages; current relationship is the longest.
• Key Learning: Importance of looking beyond physical attraction to find meaningful connections.
• Definition of Love: Forgiveness, support, and evolving with the partner.

Advice for Younger Generations

• Don’t be afraid to try new things; life is short and should be lived fully.
• Goal Setting: Focus on what you love, not just like.
• Overcoming fear and societal pressures is key to living a fulfilling life.

Faith and Personal Belief

• Learn to let go of superficial desires and trust in a higher power.
• Faith is believing in what you can’t see and trusting the process.

Reflections and Regrets

• Wish to have been less fearful and more understanding at a younger age.
• Importance of reading and understanding deeply, not just superficially.

Closing Thoughts

• Encouragement to live life authentically and pursue personal happiness over societal acceptance.
• Emphasized the importance of forgiveness, love, and personal growth.