Jonas Matyassy, Fashion & Portrait Photographer

  • 4 Apr 2016 12:00 PM
Jonas Matyassy, Fashion & Portrait Photographer
Jonas Matyassy is specialized in advertising, portrait and fashion photography. He has spent many years as an assistant photographer and studio manager in Budapest and London. He is confident in technical skills concerning photography. At Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design he broadened his visualizational knowledge.



With over ten years of experience he took portraits of actors, artists, and worked on advertising campaigns for many fashion companies. His photographs were exhibited at Ludwig Museum Budapest, Art Market Budapest, and at Institutes of Hungary in Paris, Rome and Berlin.

His first solo exhibition ("We All") was installed in May-June 2013 at the National Theatre of Hungary. Same year he won the scholarship of HAESF (Hungarian American Enterprise Scholarship Fund) whereby he spent one experience year in New York and worked in the creative team of Alexander Wang.

During this year he had multiple times the chance to work with such prestigious fashion experts as Karl Templer (One of the most powerful stylists in the world, Karl Templer is also creative director of Interview Magazine.), Alexander Wang (Creative director of Alexander Wang and Balenciaga), Alistair McKimm (Fashion Director of The Last Magazine and I-D Magazine), Richard Burbridge (Art+Commerce photographer) and Tony Irvine (Management+Artists Stylist).

His latest project is “The Portrait Salon” (www.theportraitsalon.com) where he offers affordable portrait photo packages, either for the business sector or private people.


1. Where did you grow up?
I was born in Budapest, but we moved to countryside, near lake Balaton. I had an amazing time there, sorrounded with nature. Than we moved back again to Budapest when I was 10. My parents and brothers are all artists. Thanks to that I had a very colorful, creative and joyful childhood.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Hollywood. I would love to take photos of actors or create those spectacular movie posters.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
Family and the curvy streets of Budapest.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Difficult question, I can’t really pick one. I would recommend them just to walk the streets and see what happens. You’ll always find something that is beautyful and has an interesting story.

5. What is your favourite food?
My Mother’s Meat and Cheese dish.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
I love jogging. Meditative and helps me to relax.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
St. George Mountain near lake Balaton. That’s where I partly grew up.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Shoemaker, tailor.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Any job where I can’t learn and improve.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Sweden. Lovely country.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Austria, Alps.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Live(band), Dances with Wolves, and as a hobby I loved oil painting.

13. Apart of temptation what can’t you resist?
Pure, minimal design.

14. Red wine or white?
Red wine.

15. Book or movie?
I love both.

16. Morning person or night person?
Definitely a morning and daytime person.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Poverty in general.

18. Buda or Pest side?
I’m a Buda person.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
My first solo exhibition. Between 2011 and 2013 I worked on a photo projekt at the National Theatre of Hungary. I photographed all the actors and employees. It was called “We All” and it was about everyday people, and equality.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Just do it, and enjoy every moment of it.

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