I'm a freelance writer, editor, and photographer. Also a native of Chicago, though after recent stints living in Boston, Toulouse and Paris, I'm now based in Oxford, England.
My freelance writing often focuses on business and technology, and especially information/computer security. I also cover politics, culture, careers, usability (the practice of making things easier to use), regulatory compliance and travel.
My work has appeared in such publications as the Boston Globe, Enterprise Systems, Information Security Magazine, The Times of London, and Wired News. I have also contributed to the Fodor's Paris guide. See my writing archive for links to recent and historical work.
In addition, I regularly author white papers and case studies on a number of technology, business, and information security topics. My clients have included Fortune Magazine, Intel, IT Compliance Institute, and the Nielsen Norman Group. On a contract basis, I also author white papers, case studies and marketing material for numerous other high-technology vendors, manufacturers, standards organizations, and consulting companies based in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.
To contact me, email Mat@PenandCamera.com.
For a quick background, awards, information about my appearances on Fox-25 News at 10PM in Boston, and more, please see my short biography.
Completists can also view my resume (as a PDF file or in HTML format). Or contact me for samples (emailed) of white papers, reports and other material that I've written.
In my site's Photography section, chock full of my images, you can search by keyword or just browse sections. A good place to start is also with my Nighttime Photos of Scotland and Ireland or else Panoramic Photographs of Ireland from a road trip. (I have a thing for Ireland.)
One photo highlight: getting a photograph printed in the New York Times, by way of a book review of Pagan Kennedy's Black Livingstone. I've also done a lot of other publicity photography.
N.B.: The photography section is due for an update (slated for later 2008) to bring it in line with the latest generation of Ajax-style interfaces (such as Flickr).
What is this site?
This site highlights my writing & photography work, as well as the occasional foray into graphic design.
What's new?
For recent changes, check out my Updates page.
Why the name PenandCamera?
Room to grow. As I transitioned from being a full-time senior editor/features writer for a weekly magazine to a life of freelance and fun, I wanted something that connoted where I wanted to go. Most of the work now is feature writing, but I'm hoping to spice things up now and then with articles that combine features/profiles with photographs that I've taken, and to keep expanding the photography work-for-hire.
How did you arrive at the design?
Two ways. The first was wanting to get a photograph "above the fold" (i.e. visible when someone first loads the homepage), as well as links to articles, and contact information.
The second was borrow, borrow, borrow. My friend Maria Trombly, also a freelance financial features writer, shared some great ideas. I also borrowed from the musings/examples of Jakob Nielsen and his Useit site, which should be pretty obvious once you click over there.
Suggestions always appreciated.