Toy Photographer Feature: Matt McDonald

Hello! My name is Matt McDonald and not only do I post my toy art on this website and socials I also keep this website running. 

I live in Seattle, Washington, and have been a photographer since I was a kid in a darkroom in the mid-90s. I used to be a full-time photojournalist and also worked in the skateboard world as a videographer. Now I still capture photos as a freelancer, but capture photos more for fun now and do a mix of web dev, marketing & videography.  You can follow along with all of my photo and video work at @equalmotion.

How long have you been a toy photographer?

I captured my first toy photo in high school of Benny the Spaceman LEGO for an art class project. I didn’t really do it again until I had a photo assignment over 15-years ago. One of my assignments at The Bellingham Herald was to capture photos of a toy store closing downtown. While wandering around taking photos I saw the LEGO X-Wing and Millennium Falcon microfighter and my mind was blown. This was the moment I realized LEGO had gotten licenses for all kinds of stuff (which also helped save the company). After work that day I went back to the shop and bought it and the two microfighters and went home and captured some photos. You can laugh a bit at my “photo” from nearly 15 years ago below.

Now I enjoy capturing all kinds of toy photos mainly for fun. I will take on some paid toy photo projects (very few and far between) and did some influencer work for Entertainment Earth for a bit a few years back. 

Tell us a little about your equipment: Camera, favorite lens, lighting, software etc.

• Nikon Z6II 
• Nikon D500
• Nikon D850
• Nikkor 50mm f2.8
• Nikkor 105mm f2.8
• Nikon SB 5000
• Various Lume Cube and Ulanzi lights 

I have lots of other lenses and event just picked up the Nikon 180mm-600mm, but the above is what I use for Toy Photography.

What was your aha moment that inspired you to continue in the hobby?

My aha moment was when I captured this photo of Goku and Yoda. It was right at the beginning of COVID and capturing photos of these action figures in different ways kept me motivated to create new toy photos. 

Where do you get your best photography ideas?

Usually while walking the dog. I tend to walk with my camera on me and shoot random stuff and it helps me brainstorm new ideas. For instance, in the fall, I see mushrooms everywhere, so I turned it into a little photo challenge for myself and created this post on the website you can see HERE.

Tell us about your process in creating images from original thought to final photo image.

I usually get an idea and capture a simple photo in my house for a test photo. Since I was a photojournalist for years I never really had the opportunity to recapture photos. With toy photography, I can capture whatever I want and if I don’t like it I can capture it again. 

Here are some recent samples of my first capture and then the final: 

X-Men LEGO 97 1st Draft

X-Men LEGO 97 Final Draft

Usagi – Tricks Are For Rabbits Too First Draft

Usagi – Tricks Are For Rabbits Final Draft

Tell us about your favorite photography environment (indoor or outdoor) and how this helps you create your photos.
I prefer capturing photos outdoors due to lighting and a more natural environment, but sometimes the weather does not cooperate, so I also don’t mind capturing photos inside as well. Plus, doing a full LEGO review outside can be a real pain due to lighting shifting, so I tend to do that type of photography inside if I need constistent light.

How do you want to connect with your audience? Are you most interested in a story, a specific character or an emotional reaction and why?

I capture photos of so many things around the city and for work my toy photography is really just about having fun and learning new things. I love capturing toy photos around a movie release and characters that bring me joy from my childhood. 

Toy photography requires a diverse skill set. What is one skill / technique you’ve mastered that gives your photography its unique style?

LOL. Making things levitate and fly. It’s not all that unique, but if there is some sort of practical effect in a photo like levitation it tends to turn more heads. 

What are your three ‘desert island’ toys? What toys do you continue to gravitate towards and why?

I tend to gravitate towards higher quality toys with more aticulation and that is why I love SH Figures offerings. And well I have been capturing photos of Benny for so long I just always have him in my photo bag because you never know when a photo op might arise. 

SH Figurarts Yoda

SH Figuarts Goku 

Benny The LEGO

Who are your greatest influences? This could be other toy photographers or artists outside of the community.Well, Peter Lik got me motivated to capture scenic photos and learn about composite photography and that was a big influence on my style. 

As for Toy Photographers Shelly Corbett @shellycorbettphotograophy and Jax Navarro aka Plasticaction have influenced me a lot. They both have really clean and beautiful styles and their art motivates me to try new things. 

Your work is fantastic but everyone has to start somewhere! If you could go back in time what piece of information about toy photography would you share with your younger self?

Use more lights and more diffusion. I was lazy at first with on-camera flashes and not building my light around the subject properly. High-quality lighting matters so much. 

What’s the coolest thing that has happened to you because of your toy photography journey?

People buying prints, paying me to capture photos and just when I see friends and they say how much they like some of my toy art. I have photos that go viral or are traditionally popular and I get great feedback there, but it is really nice when people acknowledge  my toy photo work since it is the type of photography that brings the most joy. 

What tips would you like to share with someone just beginning their toy photography journey?

Experiment with light and you do not need fancy gear. A paper towel and a lamp can create some beautiful light. 

What’s the coolest thing that has happened to you because of your toy photography journey?

I was capturing a photo of Spider-Man at the popular Gum Wall in Seattle. Some guy said “that’s kinda weird you are taking photos of toys” and I laughed and didn’t say anything. Another guy said “that’s actually a really creative photo idea and you don’t have any creativity in your blood dude.” Also, LEGO interacting more with my posts has been fun to see.

Do you have any plans or goals for your toy photography that you would like to share?

I have been acquiring toys, so I can really get into stop-motion animation. I always loved Robot Chicken and want to spend more time working on that craft. With AI everywhere I think there is going to be a resurgence in practical effects and stop-motion. 

What question do you want to answer that we haven’t asked? Any final thoughts?
I hope you enjoyed my ramblings here and photos. I would love to connect with more toy photographers and feel free to reach out to me at @equalmotion.