Witnessing the Wild:
My Mission
I believe we only protect what we love, and we only love what we truly experience.
Hello, I’m Matthew Barroner. I am a landscape and astrophotographer based in Colorado Springs, but more importantly, I am a witness to the vanishing quiet of our natural world. My work is dedicated to celebrating wild spaces - from the thundering power of a waterfall to the silent, ancient glow of the Milky Way.
My goal is more than just a beautiful print; it is a conservation effort. Through my lens, I aim to bridge the gap between our busy lives and the raw, fragile beauty of the outdoors. I want to inspire you to not only view these landscapes but to step into them, feel their power, and join the mission to protect them for the generations that follow.
The Journey to Stewardship
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.
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 something shifted once I moved to upstate New York and stood atop Mt. Marcy in the Adirondacks for the first time. In that stillness, I realized that these places aren’t just backdrops: they are living, breathing systems that demand our respect and our protection.
That experience sparked the fire I carry today: a commitment to education and preservation. Every hike up a 14,000-foot peak or night spent in subzero temperatures is an opportunity to document the "why" behind conservation.
Why My Photography Matters
I don't just want you to see a mountain; I want you to feel the bite of the alpine air and the heavy silence of a fresh snowfall. When we feel the conditions of the wild - the mist on our skin or the gasp of breath under a sky full of stars - we form a connection.
My photography serves three core purposes:
To Celebrate: Highlighting the awe-inspiring beauty of landscapes that often go unseen.
To Protect: Using visual storytelling to advocate for the preservation of wild and public lands.
To Encourage: Inspiring you to get outdoors and experience the transformative power of nature firsthand.
Beyond the Frame
I spend hours scouting, hiking, and camping in remote, often extreme environments to capture a single moment of truth. This dedication isn't just about technical precision; it’s about preserving awe.
Every image is a call to action. I hope my work stops you in your tracks and reminds you that these places are ours to cherish and ours to defend. If you feel a connection to these wild spaces, I invite you to reach out. Let’s bring a piece of the wild into your world and work together to keep it that way.
Questions? Feel free to reach out!
