Work-wise, I'm a freelance writer, editor, and photographer, as well the InformationWeek information security reporter.
Origin-wise, I'm a native of Chicago, but over the past 10 years have had the good fortune to live in Boston, Paris, Toulouse, Oxford (England) and now St. Andrews, in the Kingdom of Fife (Scotland).
My freelance writing is split about 50/50 between journalism and consulting clients. For both, I focus on business and technology, including information (aka computer or "cyber") security. In addition, I've also covered politics, culture, careers, usability (the practice of making things easier to use), regulatory compliance and travel.
My writing has appeared in such publications as the Boston Globe, Enterprise Systems, Forbes.com, Information Security Magazine, InformationWeek, The Times of London, and Wired News. See my writing archive for links to recent and historical work. I have also contributed to the Fodor's Paris guide, among other travel publications.
In addition, I write, or ghostwrite, white papers, reports, case studies and marketing materials for numerous vendors, manufacturers, standards organizations and consulting companies based in the US and Europe. My past clients have included Cisco, Fortune Magazine, Intel, Ounce Labs, Nielsen Norman Group and Symantec.
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 (via email) of white papers, reports and other material that I've authored.
My photographs have appeared in such publications as The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly, typically by way of dust jackets. My images have also appeared in the odd annual report, travel websites and on the cover of the second CD from the Irish band Cactus World News.
If you're looking for a starting point, try the publicity portion of my site's photography section, or my Paris photographs.
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 in 2001 from being a full-time senior editor and 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 my work today involves writing or editing, which can be done for anyone, from anywhere. But the photography does make an appearance, professionally speaking, not least to illustrate my travel stories.
How did you arrive at the design?
Two ways. The first was to add some visual impact to a largely text-based site, by getting a large photograph "above the fold" — visible when someone first loads the homepage.
The second was to borrow, borrow, borrow. My friend Maria Korolov, also a freelance financial features writer, shared some great ideas. I also borrowed from the musings/examples of Jakob Nielsen (for whom I later freelanced for 5 years) and his Useit site, which should be pretty obvious once you click over there. And thematically, my wordplay muse (and cocktails consultant) Emily Yacus coined the site name for me.
Suggestions always appreciated.