Matt Solie, better known online as @ayitsphotography, has taken the world of photography by storm, transforming what started as a lockdown escape into a full-blown creative career. Hailing from Vancouver, Solie first picked up a camera in late 2020 during the monotony of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in just a few short years, he’s skyrocketed to fame. With over four million collective followers across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, he’s become one of the most recognisable young talents in photography. Whether capturing the raw energy of city streets, sweeping landscapes, or quiet moments of everyday life, Solie’s work shows a knack for vivid storytelling, all tied together with technical brilliance. He’s a proud Canon shooter, an Adobe Lightroom Ambassador, and a creator whose cinematic imagery resonates with audiences worldwide.

Matt Solie ©

What really put Solie on the map, though, are his viral preset tutorials. These bite-sized lessons make Lightroom editing accessible, with Solie walking viewers through how to recreate iconic film aesthetics and cultural visuals, his tutorials are an instant hit, amassing millions of views and cementing his place as the go-to resource for aspiring photographers. Solie breaks everything down with infectious enthusiasm, guiding audiences through tone curves, shadow depth, and colour grading in a way that feels approachable and empowering. He’s made it clear he rejects gatekeeping in photography, building a reputation as someone who not only excels at his craft but actively encourages others to hone theirs.

Matt Solie ©

Solie’s portfolio reflects his ability to balance versatility with a distinct style. His images often feature strong focal points that cut through uncluttered backdrops, creating compositions that are as striking as they are intentional. Whether it’s a sunlit shoreline or the buzz of a busy street corner, Solie’s work blends raw, spontaneous energy with the precision of thoughtful editing. Tools like Adobe Firefly’s Generative Remove allow him to elevate his shots, stripping away distractions to amplify the emotional core of his imagery. As he told Adobe’s blog, this technique helps him “tell the story I want to tell in a way that feels natural.” It’s a delicate balance, bridging the raw with the refined, and one that he’s spent years developing, stretching back to his childhood experimenting with YouTube “let’s play” videos.

Matt Solie ©

Despite his meteoric rise, Solie stays refreshingly humble. At just 19, he’s already secured partnerships with Canon and Adobe, survived the turbulence of social media’s shadow banning (bouncing back from losing traction with 700,000 followers on Instagram), and built a vibrant community around his craft. Yet, he’s not afraid to admit he’s still learning. “I’m figuring things out,” he told Adobe, underscoring how mistakes are simply part of his growth process. It’s this honesty, paired with his high-quality, fast-paced content, which has endeared him to followers across the globe. Whether it’s tapping into trending phenomena like “Barbenheimer” or navigating the chaos of algorithm shifts, Solie’s journey offers a refreshing example of how modern creators can thrive in ever-changing digital spaces.

Looking ahead, Solie’s not just focused on his own work, he’s sharing his expertise with others. From hosting workshops, like the Canon Creator Lab event in November 2024, to demystifying gear, editing, and creative processes, Solie is helping build the next generation of photographers. His content isn’t just about inspiration; it’s practical, actionable, and designed to lift others up as they explore their own creative potential. For someone so young, Solie has carved out a space that feels equal parts visionary and approachable, a feat that speaks volumes about his talent and drive.

Matt Solie ©

What first inspired you to pick up a camera and start creating photography content?

I first picked up my camera during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I was 15 at the time and was bored of quarantine and online school. I would take it out with friends and take photos of local wildlife and scenes from my smaller city to distract from how boring everything else was! I always did YouTube and content before that in small ways, but with my love for photography developing over time, it eventually became my priority, and when my first video got traction, I fully committed to posting photography content daily!

How would you describe your photography style, and how has it evolved since 2020?

My photography style has a focus on documentation. I’ve always had a hard time defining my style, as I don’t like to limit myself and want to capture everything in a real but beautiful way. I love strong colours and stories yet natural scenes I don’t have to interfere with— regardless of if I’m in nature or urban environments!

Matt Solie ©

Your online presence is incredible—how did you grow to 3 million collective followers? Was it a steady climb, or were there key turning points?

My growth was something I stumbled into! I grew over 1 million followers in just 4 months on Instagram, and it was mainly from sticking to a format strongly and posting consistently once I realized the opportunity. For the last 2 years since that initial launch, I’ve made consistency, innovation and identity a priority, and constantly made new strides to make my loyal fans happy, while making new fans in different areas. While there are ups and downs, this has helped me consistently gain new audiences every day!

Matt Solie ©

Do you still remember the very first photo you took that made you feel like a photographer? What was it, and why did it stand out?

The first photo I took that I believe really stood out was this one below of a man holding sand in a sunlit beach backdrop. It was taken in Vancouver (the city I always wanted to live in and now do) and the moment felt spontaneous and special! I knew instantly that was one of my best photos, and the moment itself was a good memory.

Matt Solie ©

Can you talk us through your creative process when shooting, from first inspiration to final post-production?

My creative process finds itself often with living in the moment! Being a primarily travel photographer, most of the photos that people know me for were taken by traveling to a new place and exploring it naturally. I love taking my own spin on landmarks and known locations, but I also like to go off the beaten path and capture things from a locals eye, leaving the scene organic. Editing is probably the largest part of my creative process, editing a photo to bring out colours and make the viewer feel exactly like what the moment felt like when I was there, rather than just what my eyes saw.

How has social media shaped the way you approach photography and sharing your work?

Social media has made my process a much more public and fast moving thing, which I enjoy! With having a following so young and early in my career, I am actively learning and improving with an audience to see, while showing them the tips I learned that are helping me improve. I post nearly daily as well, which means social media helps me constantly stay moving and shooting new environments, inevitably making me a better photographer.

Matt Solie ©

How do you balance planned shoots with those spontaneous, unplanned moments that often create the best work?

The shoots I do that are planned are often with an expectation that I want to ensure is upheld (working with a company or client, for a long form project, etc), but for the content I primarily post online, the young spontaneous energy is something I deeply try to preserve. Thus, for my photos, beyond the planning to ensure trips and ideas happen I rarely have expectations!

What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a photographer over the past four years?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned as not only a photographer but as a content creator is that movement is key. Art and photography are derived from your own self and expectations, which can make it easy to overthink and burn out but constantly moving forward in any way you can; big or small is vital. Finding a time to create art past a pay check, connecting with new artists, or taking just one photo any day you can. It might not necessarily feel like improvement, but in a year or two you’ll look back and realize all you’ve accomplished and the skills you’ve gained!

Matt Solie ©

What do you think photographers often overlook when trying to improve their craft?

The biggest thing I’ve found that photographers overlook isn’t to do with themselves, rather ignoring others! Photography can be a more lonely, isolating form of art. It’s very easy to get stuck in your own craft, but having a conversation with a photographer who’s in a totally different situation than you teaches you so much. Everyone knows something you don’t, and not connecting with other artists will cut off so much valuable information.

You’ve said editing is as important as taking the photo—what’s the one editing skill every photographer should master?

The biggest editing skill I use will always be colour. Colour dictates so much of what emotions your photo has! One same photo can elicit feelings of happiness, sadness, curiosity or wonder purely depending on the colour choice. Understand the HSL sliders, experiment with the colour grades and tones, and feel what emotions the colour is bringing!

Please check him out at the places below: –

Regards

Alex


One response to “The Photography Prodigy Making Creativity Viral: Viewfinder Chronicles Interviews Matt Solie”

  1. Denise Solie avatar
    Denise Solie

    Way to go Matt!!!

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