MATT J-SCOTT

Editor, creator, photographer and regular Pineapple contributor! Interview with young Polish talent, Matt J-Scott.

Could we start with some background information about you? Where did you grow up, where are you based, and how did you get interested in photography?

I grew up in Warsaw, where I still live. From a young age, I was drawn to Western culture—the American Dream. That’s what I was raised on. I grew up watching Disney Channel. I remember how it was fashionable to organize birthdays at McDonald’s. The way America was depicted back then—a land of freedom where you can be whoever you want and fulfill your dreams—had a big influence on me. Meanwhile, I was growing up in one of the most homophobic countries in Europe, which is also one of the most Christian countries in the world. Many times, I faced the reality that being yourself in Poland is not easy, especially if you are gay. I had the opportunity to fly to New York several times in high school, where I fell in love. But I also debunked many myths and saw that it is not as ideal a country as I once thought.

I didn’t know from the very beginning that photography was my calling. I started with computer graphics and then graduated in architecture from the Warsaw University of Technology. It was only after graduation that I tried my hand at photography, which actually happened quite recently. During my studies, the idea crossed my mind many times, and I confirmed these thoughts during the pandemic when I published the first issue of DUMA magazine. Together with a group of talented artists and photographers from Warsaw, we did many sessions for the magazine. After that, I also chose a photography course during my college studies.

A breakthrough moment for me was working as a volunteer in organizing the Warsaw Parada Równości (Equality Parade). During the last 5 editions that I worked on, I also took pictures during the parade march. It was an incredible feeling to capture with my lens so many wonderful people who had prepared for days to walk the streets of Warsaw.

If there were difficulties at the start, what helped you overcome them and become a skilled photographer?

The main difficulty was undoubtedly fighting against the system and the fact that nude photography is still controversial today. Despite the huge influence of Western pop culture, which is filled with eroticism, whether in films or music, nudity in photography is suddenly taboo again. Photography is often labeled as pornography. I have often encountered and still encounter such views. Moreover, social media algorithms target you in this way. You can easily add a Cardi B song like “WAP” to a reel, but if you were to depict such a song in a photo, it would be labeled as pornography. It’s a fine line, which is why the intentions of the artist-photographer are so important.

I had some attempts at photoshoots where I was looking for that balance. Both sessions were published on your Pineapple website. My third session, “Dirrty Cowboy,” was a bit different—more fashion-focused but still erotic. I started to receive a lot of compliments and feedback. I won’t hide the fact that it was a little success for me, haha. This success even translated into work opportunities; that photoshoot had such reach and so many reposts that for 3 years, I had a dream job as an art director in a creative agency. Besides photography, I love bringing everything together artistically to tell a coherent story.

Do you have a favorite era of fashion?

Definitely. It’s the 80s in the USA—from Texas, through Florida and California, to New York. The gay community in those days dressed, in my opinion, so hot and sexy. I wish those times would come back, or that I had been born in them. To some extent, trends from that period are visible today. More and more gay men are wearing mustaches and growing longer hair. I’m happy about that, haha. All kinds of motifs from that period—cowboy, farmer, and mechanic silhouettes—are part of my fashion fantasy.

What inspires you?

I’m mostly inspired by people and the queer community. Usually, my driving force is finding a new muse, haha. Apart from people, I’m also really inspired by Western culture from the 80s.

I also love to revisit the albums I have on my shelf from time to time. My three most frequently visited books recently are “MY BUDDY,” which features photographs from World War II. It shows the friendly closeness between men very well, but also more romantic and erotic stories. The photos are very natural without any cringe in nudity. Another favorite is the classic “Tom of Finland,” and “A Visual Biography of Marina Abramović.” She is one of my favorite artists, who often seeks boundaries in her work and tries to cross them.

What is the best thing about being a photographer?

I think the best thing about being a photographer is the opportunity for constant development. At least that’s how it is for me. I feel more and more confident in new topics and I get to know them better. And there are always new challenges, like the time I had the opportunity to take photos during the Whole Festival. It was a completely new experience for me because I found myself in completely different shooting conditions.

But I also love working with people during sessions. I love watching people open up and feel more and more confident in front of the camera.

How do you prepare yourself before shooting?

It often depends on the session. But lately, I’ve been trying to plan them as thoroughly as possible so that everything goes according to schedule and within a specific timeframe. That’s why I often prepare a mood board before the session. I write down the time needed for each styling/set/makeup and the time planned for the photos themselves, as well as the mood, poses, and atmosphere I want to achieve.

What makes a person a good model?

In my opinion, the key feature is self-confidence. I often get a sense early on of who has it, and many people are simply experienced and comfortable in front of the camera. For me, emotions are the most important, so I always want people to feel at ease during the shoot. This helps avoid things like stiffness or embarrassment.

You use a lot of post-production to create the ‘Matt look’ in your photographs, right? Which part of the job do you enjoy more, the shoot itself or the post-production work? Why?

I haven’t come across this term yet, haha. But I guess it’s about the impression that the photo looks quite old, as if it were taken with an analog camera. Initially, yes—I spent a lot of time on the precise processing of each photo to achieve such an effect in digital photography. But over time, I found a way to achieve this look with less work, starting with the camera settings, optics—lens choice, lighting preparation, and my ready-made color presets. Besides that, there’s always some retouching because, in my perfectionist eye, there’s always something that needs correcting—like an unnecessary light switch on the wall or a torn studio background. I definitely prefer taking photos and conducting photoshoots. While I do enjoy the process of editing and selection, it can be quite tedious.

Do you work alone or with a team?

It really depends on the concept. But increasingly, I undertake larger projects that require a bigger team to execute.

You seem to like being in front of the camera. How much do you submit to the photographer’s will in such cases?

Haha, it’s nice and interesting that you think so. I don’t actually like being in front of the lens. I definitely prefer being behind it. But when I have to appear in front of the camera, I feel more comfortable with a photographer who has a good instinct.

Name a model you would like to work with as a photographer next time.

Is this supposed to be a manifestation? Haha. It’s very important to me to document and work with the queer community. But I also want to continue developing. Just like I had the opportunity to work for 3 years in a creative agency with music artists, creating music videos and photo shoots for them, I feel like that was a great space for me, and I would love to return to it. So I’ll say Troye Sivan, haha. He’s a queer music artist where I see a lot of possibilities and scope for my aesthetic in photos.

What do you do when you have time for yourself?

In my free time, I volunteer to publish DUMA magazine with wonderful people. Apart from that, when the weather is nice, I love taking short and long trips in my van.

Your favorite flower is:

Freesia.I chose this flower because it smells nice, and when it dies, it dries up but still looks nice. Plus, it’s the flower that most often comes up as the favorite among gays when I talk to them, haha.

You won’t go out without:

My little Nikon Coolpix 7900 from the 2000’s. I always have to have a camera with me, apart from the one on my iPhone.

This turns you on:

I love freedom and liberty. So, if I find another person with whom I can share that—like naked sunbathing, naked hiking in the mountains, or swimming naked in a lake—that really turns me on. I love the combination of the male nude body and nature. Apart from that, I’m also turned on by talented people.