About

Professional photographer Zach Matthai standing in front of red and white aircraft, wearing olive jacket and baseball cap, smiling at camera — Always ready for the next adventure—camera gear packed and ready to capture whatever story awaits.

The love of being outdoors started it all. What began as landscape photography—chasing light across distant mountains and hidden valleys—naturally evolved into something bigger. Each environment taught different skills that built upon the last, creating a foundation for capturing stories across diverse subjects and locations.

Massive iceberg in Greenland waters at sunset with sailboat showing scale — The scale of Greenland's wilderness - where landscape photography skills were tested in extreme conditions.

Landscapes from around the world—the foundation that led to everything else.

The Journey Across Disciplines

Two decades behind the lens has taken me from international destinations like Greenland, Italy, Japan, and Mexico to American national parks and hidden gems closer to home. But landscape photography was just the beginning.

Surfer riding wave during California surf session demonstrating action photography timing — Surf photography taught timing and tracking - essential skills for any moving subject.

Surf photography taught timing and tracking—essential skills for any moving subject.

Surf photography came next, demanding split-second timing and the ability to track unpredictable movement. Those skills of anticipating action and following subjects through changing conditions became invaluable training for what was ahead.

Brown bear mother and cub in Lake Clark National Park Alaska demonstrating wildlife photography approach — Lake Clark brown bears - where patience meets authentic wildlife behavior.

Wildlife encounters that taught patience and respect for subjects.

Nature and wildlife photography added patience and behavioral understanding. From Alaska's Katmai bears to diverse wildlife encounters worldwide, these experiences taught respect for subjects and the art of capturing authentic moments.

Professional tennis player Ben Shelton sitting on bench looking directly at camera during tournament — Ben Shelton between sets - capturing authentic moments where sports photography skills converge.

Tennis photography—where all the skills converge on the court.

Tennis photography brought everything together. The timing from surf work, the patience from wildlife, and the technical foundation from landscapes all converged to capture the precision, power, and mental focus of competitive tennis—from professional tournaments to local courts.

Beyond the Images

What sets this work apart is the commitment to both technical excellence and genuine storytelling. Whether documenting a complete surf ride, capturing wildlife behavior, or freezing a tennis moment, the goal is always authentic narrative over manufactured perfection.

The range spans international expeditions and local moments. I'll shoot tennis for anyone—from professional tournaments to weekend players—because every level offers compelling stories worth documenting.

👉 Ready to start? Contact me and let's explore what we can create together.

Why Work With Me

✅ 20+ Years Cross-Discipline Experience - Skills built across landscape, surf, nature, and sports photography
✅ Global to Local Perspective - From international adventures to hometown courts
✅ Authentic Storytelling - Real moments over manufactured perfection
✅ Technical Versatility - Mastering diverse environments and challenging conditions

Let's Create Together

I bring two decades of outdoor photography expertise to every collaboration—from fine art prints to editorial assignments and custom projects. Let's explore what we can build together.

👉 Let's Work Together