I Am Matt Blum

I'm a Texas native who has spent over 20 years pursuing my passion for photography. My journey took me from fashion and glamour work to commercial and editorial ventures for major clients like Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, and Playboy. As a regular traveler, I've collaborated with top agencies in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City.

Adapting to the digital age, I added film making to my repertoire and earned a 2013 Fashion TV nomination for Photographer of the Year. I now reside in Barcelona, Spain, where I authored my first book, "Failing Upward - Tales of a Glorified Button Pusher," which hit #1 on Amazon's New Release charts in February 2024.

Throughout my career, I've strived to stay true to my passions and continuously evolve. It's been an immensely fulfilling journey thus far, and I'm excited for what's to come.

Testing My Chops With The 300-Day Article Challenge

Before the first keystroke on this 300-Day Article Challenge, I’m sitting here, fueled by a dangerously optimistic blend of caffeine and overconfidence, imagining how this will unfold. Picture this: a noble quest, not unlike a knight setting off to slay dragons, except my dragons are deadlines and my sword is a worn-out keyboard.

In my head, it’s a cinematic montage of brilliance: day after day, I churn out articles with the effortless grace of Hemingway and the sharp wit of Twain. Each morning, I will wake up, with inspiration striking like lightning, and by the time my coffee’s gone cold, another masterpiece will be born. Ah, the life of a prolific writer, admired by peers, celebrated by readers. How hard could it possibly be?

Cut to me, about 2 weeks in, where the initial euphoria has been replaced by the dawning realization that maybe, just perhaps, I’ve underestimated this beast. Ideas don’t flow as freely as I’d imagined. Instead of a majestic river of creativity, it’s more a trickle, occasionally a drip.

By Day 47, I expect to find myself staring into the abyss of my own creativity, or lack thereof, wondering if there’s an article to be written about the existential crisis of writing itself. “10 Ways to Stare at a Blank Document” starts sounding like a viable topic.

Halfway through, I predict my place will look like the lair of a mad scientist, except instead of equations and experiments, it’s littered with crumpled notes and half-baked ideas. I’ll have developed a personal vendetta against the calendar, each day mocking me with its relentless progression.

As the end looms closer, desperation kicks in. I’m bargaining with any deity listening for a spark of inspiration. My Google history is a testament to my despair, filled with queries like “how to be inspired” and “mail order muses.”

Finally, Day 300. Against all odds, I imagine emerging from this trial by fire, not unscathed but victorious. The final article, a reflection on this journey, will be tinged with the hard-earned wisdom of someone who’s been through the wringer and lived to tell the tale.

Will it be a saga of triumph, a testament to human perseverance and the indomitable spirit of creativity? Or will it be a cautionary tale, a diary of descent into madness? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for certain: it’s going to be one hell of a ride, and I can’t wait to drag you all along with me. Here’s to the next 300 days — may they be as gloriously chaotic and creatively fruitful as I imagine.