A man smiling and holding a camera stands in front of a tall waterfalls surrounded by moss-covered rocks and autumn trees with yellow and orange leaves.

about matthew

Hello, I’m Matthew Barroner, a landscape and astrophotographer based in Colorado Springs. I create images that celebrate wild spaces - roaring waterfalls, towering mountains, fleeting wildlife moments, and starlit skies. My goal? To connect you to those quiet, powerful moments that nature offers when we slow down and truly look. Whether at 14,000 feet, in subzero weather, or under the Milky Way’s glow, I aim to capture the feeling of “being there.”

more about my story

I grabbed my first camera in 2012, and what started as a hobby became a lifelong calling. Since then, I've traveled tens of thousands of miles, explored 49 U.S. National Parks, and lived in diverse places - from upstate New York to South Dakota, and now Colorado. Alongside my wife, Meagan, every season brings a new backdrop and fresh inspiration.

Person standing on a wooden bridge with backpack, camera, and mountain in background
Person in a blue jacket and beanie stands on a salt flat next to a camera on a tripod. A camera bag and equipment are on the ground. Mountains and a blue sky with clouds are in the background.

Throughout undergrad, photography was mostly a creative outlet. I’d make weekend trips to nearby State parks in Northern FL/Southern GA to photograph whatever I could find - forested trails, quiet lakes, golden hour skies. But it wasn’t until I moved to upstate New York and began exploring the Adirondack Mountains that something shifted. With that first hike up Mt. Marcy, I fell in love - with the stillness, the rugged peaks, the early mornings on the trail - and with photography as a deeper form of expression to capture those fleeting moments. That’s where this lifelong journey really began, and that experience sparked a deeper connection to the outdoors and set me on the path I still follow today - chasing light, wild places, and meaningful moments.

Why Photography Matters

My images aim to evoke wonder - whether that’s the feeling of crisp mountain air, the thrill of wildlife presence, or the awe of infinite space. I also have the technical precision to create each piece. I’m no stranger to extreme conditions - freezing temperatures, remote terrain, and long-night shoots are part of my process. Each photo is crafted with care and expertise. I believe every photo holds a story - of the wild, of exploration, and of a moment shared between the land and all of us.

A smiling man in a plaid shirt standing in a desert landscape with tall saguaro cacti during a vibrant sunset with orange and pink clouds.
A person wearing winter clothes and a mask standing on a snow-covered ledge with a camera on a tripod, overlooking a snowy canyon at sunset.

I’m not just documenting a place. I’m aiming to capture a feeling - cold mist on your skin, the silence of snowfall, the gasp you let out under a sky full of stars. I spend hours scouting, hiking, and sometimes camping out alone in remote spots to get the right shot. Each image is the result of dedication and a whole lot of love for the outdoors.

This work isn’t just about photography - it’s about preserving awe. If something in my portfolio stops you in your tracks, I hope you'll reach out. Let’s bring that moment of wonder into your world.

Questions? Feel free to reach out!

explore my work