Father Matt's Photography

Father Matt Kawiak Photography

Hi, I'm Father Matt!

At the Memorial Art Gallery, I had completed an adult photo class. I asked the instructor if she knew anyone who would mentor me and she immediately thought of OJ. Not the football player, but a retired, 45 year professional photographer from Eastman Kodak. I remember my first meeting with Mr Roth. I had my slides in my hands to show my portfolio. Three years later and lots of homework assignments, OJ taught me how to see the world through the lens and share the stories and emotions.

I would like to support an initiative for an animal welfare organization located in Genesee County, New York, called Volunteers For Animals. All photo sales will go directly to support and fund their work. Your donation would help provide veterinary care for the approximately 300 dogs, 220 adult cats and 280 orphaned kittens cared for each year. The cost for medications, vaccines, food and spay and neuter surgeries in 2024 was over $197,000. They are a 100% volunteer organization and rely entirely on the generous support of volunteers and donations.

There are over a million photos posted on the internet daily, but I prefer to notice the "God moments." They are my personal experiences where I feel a strong sense of God's presence that include nature, sunsets and acts of kindness. Because of these I would like to extend my gratitude to the volunteers who are taking care of abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats, and orphaned kittens. My landscape photos bring me closer to the Lord. And I hope to make a difference for rescued animals who need our compassion, care and a loving home.

Click here to make donation to Volunteers4Animals.

My Personal Favorites

My Top Three Favorite National Parks

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rain falling in the distant mountains is called "virga" that refers to precipitation falling from the base of a cloud and evaporating before it reaches the ground. It is a stunning God moment.

Canyonlands National Park

It's 5 am and 300 tourists are elbow to elbow taking this sunrise at Mesa Arch canyon, and the star burst makes its a God moment

Zion National Park

I got off the tourist bus and hiked down a ravine into the water to capture the Watchman. Thank God for this spectacular reflection.

What Photography Means To Me

Photography is about capturing God moments

As a Catholic priest leading services, there are moments during the ceremony that can only be described as profound. Baptisms have babies crying and fussing, weddings have brides looking fabulous. Leaning over a rocky ledge at sunrise make for breathtaking moments.

I have become keenly aware of moments when the light reveals something quite breathtaking. Visiting the Mother Cabrini shrine in Golden, Colorado requires a walk up 350 steps that take you to a vista of the countryside. At the top, stands a statue of Our Lord and in that moment I noticed this starburst that visitors remarked was miraculous.

I am only an amateur, but taking notice of how God is ever present in everyday life if we simply stop and take notice. I am grateful to my friend Owen who always taught “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT.”
Indeed, he put the spark and passion in me to grow to love photography, but I am always looking for the next God moment.

My favorite Photo

This is Mulnomah Falls in Oregon. With more than 2 million visitors, it is one of Oregon’s top visitor attractions and one of the most-visited natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. The 611-foot double cascade (Oregon’s tallest waterfall) is spectacular year-round.

I discovered this composition by crawling
into the brush and moving myself so that the flowers were cascading over the bridge, and vegetation and cliff were framing the falls.

It is one thing to go to the popular national park where there are well known compositions to replicate. But it is another thing to discover a new
composition that feels like it has been found for the first time. This composition is one of those new discoveries and I love it.

Contact Me

My Camera

I love my camera deeply—not just as a tool, but as a constant companion in my journey through life.

It's been with me across continents, capturing moments both grand and intimate, giving me the power to freeze time and tell stories through light and perspective. From quiet alleys in old towns to sweeping mountain vistas, it has helped me see the world more clearly and express the way I feel about it.