Authentic Films

A documentary series featuring the world’s most inspiring working photographers and filmmakers

Season 1

Ten years of films about Sydney’s best portrait photographers

For 10 years as I transitioned from freelance photographer to filmmaker I made unscripted documentary films about the photographers in my adopted home of Sydney. They were the ones who got the jobs I aspired to. They have international clients and careers.
Authentic films documented them unscripted as they work and even followed up with Zoom/ podcast you could join in an attempt to build community/ give the viewer a voice.

  • "This feels like being an assitant to a senior photographer. Perfect ☺️ thanks!!"

    —@technicalstandardsofkingdo4474

  • "Beautiful. The craft of making photos so beautifuly described."

    —Keshav Laddha. @kiaddha

  • "This is the kind of behind the scenes I wish I had more access to. Thank you ! I learned a lot from this session."

    —Lena @LenaHo

  • "This was really so wonderful. On so many levels. I could watch Hugh chatting about his life and watching his shooting process for many hours. Thank you for this absolute treat.."

    @jozer7695

  • "Beautiful Wonderful Great Inspiring 🙂."

    Astral Films Studio

  • "Another beautiful video! This piece was just the inspiration I needed to get back out and create. Great work 🙏"

    Kenneth Mitchell

Coming Soon : Season 2

The work has changed. Season 2 documents how.

The Premise:
Since I started this project, the role of the professional freelance photographer and filmmaker has changed radically. Season 2 follows the people redefining that work.


About

I’m Matt Reed. After 20 years as a freelance photographer I’ve spent the last 10 years becoming a filmmaker. I’ve worked with News Ltd, The Sydney Morning Herald, Vogue, GQ, Trenery & VICE.

In this final chapter of my career I want pivot one last time and share films about my fellow freelancers and show how the best of them are embracing the changes and challenges of our ever changing professional landscape and turning it to their advantage.

Commercial & Editorial Work

Unfortunately I am not independently wealthy, so sometimes I have to work for a living. My last job was an adventure that involved travelling the ‘outback” Australia with these two characters for an NGO. Nice work if you can get it.