Bio
Matt Vacca is an architectural and fine art photographer from New York currently residing in Los Angeles. Matt grew up on Long Island, then moved to Tucson where he studied Jazz at the University of Arizona and took pictures as a hobby with a camera he’d been given by a friend. Soon he was back in New York composing and performing, and expanding from jazz into electronic music. With photography by then having gone digital, it became more accessible as an artistic pursuit.
After taking classes at the International Center of Photography, Matt began his professional career making abstract images, including commissioned pieces. Before long, he was generating a business in New York City shooting architecture, interior design and high end real estate. He became one of New York City’s busiest real estate photographers and upon reaching full capacity, he started mentoring other up-and-coming photographers to share the work load. His interior work includes the celebrity homes of Michelle Williams, Uma Thurman and Toni Morrison and his photos have appeared in the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest and Dwell, among others.
After 20 years in Manhattan, and right before the Covid shutdown, Matt moved back to Tucson. Fortunately, he was able to use the rest of 2020 to revisit several fine art series. Drawing from his inspiration of jazz, improvisation plays a key role in his fine art work resulting in a free form process and unpredictable compositions. Now in Los Angeles, he is looking forward to the broad range of opportunities available to professional photographers.
Awards
2022 CUPOTY, Close-up Photographer of the Year 04 - 1st Place Winner, Oil In Water 44, Manmade Category
2022 CUPOTY, Close-up Photographer of the Year 04 - Finalist, “Twist 2” Manmade Category
2022 17th Annual Black & White Spider Awards "Twist 2" (single) – 1st Place, Still Life Category
2022 17th Annual Black & White Spider Awards – Honorable Mention, “Oil In Water 2“, Abstract Category
2022 17th Annual Black & White Spider Awards – Honorable Mention, “Morel Mushroom 1“, Still Life Category
2022 ND Awards, "Twist" (series) - 3rd Place in Fine Art: Abstract Category
2022 ND Awards, "Vernon, CA" (series) - Honorable Mention in Architecture: Other Category
2022 6th Annual Chromatic Awards – 3rd Place, “Oil In Water”, Abstract Category
2022 6th Annual Chromatic Awards – Honorable Mention, “Stairway To Somewhere”, Abstract Category
2022 6th Annual Chromatic Awards – Honorable Mention, “Twisted Color 1”, Abstract Category
2022 8th FAPA, Fine Art Photo Awards, "Twist" (series) - Nominated, Abstract Category
2022 14th Annual International Color Awards, "Wet Gold" (single) - Nominated, Abstract Category
2022 TIFA, Tokyo International Foto Awards, "Twist" (series) - Silver, Fine Art Category
2022 MIFA, Moscow International Foto Awards, "Twist" (series) - Bronze, Fine Art Category
2022 Minimalist Photography Awards, 4th Edition, "Alone On The Street" (single) Honorable Mention, Abstract category
2022 Monovisions Photography Awards - "Twist" (series) Honorable Mention, Abstract category
2022 Monovisions Photography Awards - "Geometry" (single) Honorable Mention, Abstract category