Five years ago, a young kid walked into The Flow. He wanted to do an 8×10 print. I don’t remember the subject of the print—it might have been of a horse—but I recall that it made an impression on me. When he came back to pick up his print, I asked him to show me some of his other work. It was excellent.
It was less than a year after we opened our doors and we were still at the old location, but we were already pretty busy. I told him that every now and again we could use some extra help and asked if he was interested in joining us. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, Matt was at The Flow every day.
Damien, our original printing guru, was getting married and preparing to take a three-month honeymoon. Matt had been groomed to fill Damien’s very large shoes, and took off in them at a run. In the years that Matt has been at The Image Flow, he has become an integral part of the business, both out in front serving customers, and also in the background. He and I have spent hours upon hours talking about strategy and how The Flow could work better and smoother on the floor, as well as technically. Not only did we build a strong employer-employee relationship, but he has also become a close friend.
So here we are five years later and Matt has recently gotten married, but instead of a three-month honeymoon, he’s relocating to the Los Angeles area. The move did not come as a complete surprise to me, but it is sad none the less. Matt will be dearly missed by colleagues and customers alike at The Flow—a great many people have become dependent on Matt’s expertise.
There is no question that Matt will leave a large gap at The Flow, but in my search for new talent, I was lucky enough to interview three wonderfully talented applicants. After multiple interviews, it was clear to me that I had found a wonderful addition to our team. Tony comes to The Flow with an extensive photographic background and an overall demeanor that will allow him to fit in very well here. He has many of the same talents that Matt has, but also brings with him new skills that I know many of our clients will find invaluable. I am confident that Tony will be able to more than fill Matt’s shoes, and we will do everything we can to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.
Join us Wednesday, August 27 at 6:30pm at The Image Flow to wish Matt the best of luck in his future endeavors and to welcome Tony to his new home!
—Stuart Schwartz, owner of The Image Flow
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, I recently married a beautiful mad scientist. And so, after five incredible years of working, learning, and creating with some of the most passionate and imaginative people I know here at The Image Flow, I am on my way to a new adventure in Los Angeles. In fact, my wife and I have already found a new home and are driving the first load down this week.Over the past five years, I have seen The Image Flow grow. I remember when we started the “gallery” in the old Flow space, where we exhibited the work of photographers like Henrik Kam, Heward Jue, and Trish Carney. I witnessed Stuart’s ambitious resin projects, after which there was always a dry “puddle” on the floor. I learned how to be more awake than my students at our 5:30am sunrise shoots (maybe my most impressive feat to date) and keep the students at Tamalpais High School in-line at 8am.
My friends and colleagues here at The Image Flow have fed my travel spirit as I have printed their photographs from Africa, India, China, Europe, Antartica, and more. And I’ve helped send Image Flow prints to Paris, Washington, D.C., and Prague.
While LA will surely be an exciting place for me to take and appreciate photos, it will always be hard to top the flowers just outside of the Flow and I will truly miss hearing about all of your crazy travels and projects.
So what’s next for me you ask? Well, I don’t know yet. I might learn how to cook beans and rice like a true artist while searching for employment in the fashion world. Or maybe I’ll pick up some video compositing and or other visual effects skills. Hey—it’s Hollywood after all!
Wondering who to pose all of your urgent Photoshop questions to? Not to worry! There will soon be a new Matt in town. His name is Tony and he’s awesome. Come say hello to him in two weeks!
Farewell my friends, and keep shooting!Sincerely,
Matt Schriock
Read a Q&A with Anthony Fendler, the newest addition to The Image Flow family.
