Hi there,
My name is Matt Yardley, a photographer and videographer from Ballito, South Africa.
My photogrpahic journey started in 2012 when I become a safari guide at andBeyond's Phinda Private Game Reserve. Surrounded by exceptional wildlife I had to capitalise on my passion for photography to capture these stunning moments. However I had absolutely no money at the time so instead I bought a memory card (SD Card) and began borrowing cameras and using my card to capture what I could. Thankfully after a bit of hard work and financial discipline I finally got my first camera, a Canon 70D. Once I had this camera in hand my life changed forever and the rollercoaster of a photographers life began and boy did it lead me through some serious adventure!
My first genre of photography was, obviously, wildlife photography. I would spend hours and I mean hours online researching everything photographic. Eventually I found myself guiding excellent and well known photographers on safari and this really built my confidence to a point that I began my own safari and photographic company 2019 where I partnered with the likes of andBeyond and National Geographic Expeditions and tour leaders and of course photographic guiding along the way. These adventures lead me through incredible countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and all over our beautiful South Africa. Sadly however, 2020 pop its head around the corner with a nasty surprise and I have to down tools, or camera, for the pandemic and try keep my safari company alive. And yes, I managed to do so.
in 2021 my path crossed with Wild Eye Safaris and I decided to join the team to expand my horizons even further. Now the adventures took me even further. From the rivers in the Amazon to the Jaguars in the Pantanal to the gorillas in the Impenetrable Forest and the great migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara. I was fortunate enough to be on a full adventure and leading photographic expeditions in 8 of the most breathtaking and exciting countries around the world.
In 2022 one of the most incredible moments came about when I had my first child. As you know this changes everything! This is where I began to tap off of my travel a little bit to be at home more. What also excited me most about this time is my passion for other styles of photography and videography had started to develop too. In particular, the wedding and surf scene. And since then I have kept expanding my portfolio and absolutely loving it!
And that is the long and the short of it... and that is how Matt Yardley Creative began. As much as I am still leading safaris around the world I am also taking on bookings back home for all sorts of photo and film projects. So if you would like to follow along then be sure to sign up to my newsletter for other stories or for any shoots you have in. ind please get in touch. I will be happy to chat :)
Matt