📖 Overview
Jordan Matter is an American photographer and bestselling author known for capturing dancers in unexpected public settings. His work has garnered over 4 million social media followers and his books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.
Matter's most recognized works include "Dancers Among Us" and "Born to Dance," which showcase professional dancers performing in everyday locations without safety equipment. His photography style emphasizes authenticity and spontaneity, often incorporating urban landscapes and public spaces as backdrops.
His background as a portrait photographer shifted when he began photographing dancers from the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 2009. That project evolved into his signature style of capturing dancers in mid-movement against cityscapes and recognizable locations.
Matter continues to produce photography books and maintains an active YouTube channel where he documents his creative process and behind-the-scenes work. His images have been featured in major media outlets including ABC World News, NBC's Today Show, and CBS Evening News.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Matter's ability to capture unexpected moments of dance in everyday settings. His photography books receive high marks for creativity and technical execution, with many readers noting the joy and energy that comes through in his images.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Unique perspective on dance and urban life
- High-quality printing and production value
- Ability to make dance accessible to non-dancers
- Clear artistic vision and consistency
Critical feedback mentions:
- Some photos feel staged rather than spontaneous
- Limited variety in poses and settings
- High price point for photo books
- Repetitive format across different works
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.7/5 average (7,000+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.4/5 average (2,800+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Matter shows us dance where we least expect it, making the extraordinary seem possible in our daily lives." Another wrote: "After the first 50 pages, the photos start to feel formulaic - dancer jumping, dancer posing, repeat."
📚 Books by Jordan Matter
Dancers Among Us (2012)
A collection of photographs showing professional dancers performing in everyday settings across America, paired with stories about the images and dancers.
Born to Dance (2018) Photographs and profiles of young dancers performing acrobatic moves in urban environments, featuring both amateur and professional performers aged 6-18.
Dancers After Dark (2016) Night-time photographs of nude dancers performing in public spaces across the United States and Europe, with accompanying behind-the-scenes stories.
Athletes Among Us (2013) A photographic series depicting professional athletes performing their sports in unexpected daily-life situations and locations.
Uncovered: Women in Word and Image (2010) Portraits of breast cancer survivors paired with their personal stories and reflections on their experiences.
Born to Dance (2018) Photographs and profiles of young dancers performing acrobatic moves in urban environments, featuring both amateur and professional performers aged 6-18.
Dancers After Dark (2016) Night-time photographs of nude dancers performing in public spaces across the United States and Europe, with accompanying behind-the-scenes stories.
Athletes Among Us (2013) A photographic series depicting professional athletes performing their sports in unexpected daily-life situations and locations.
Uncovered: Women in Word and Image (2010) Portraits of breast cancer survivors paired with their personal stories and reflections on their experiences.
👥 Similar authors
Brandon Stanton documents humans and their stories through street photography, similar to Matter's candid style of capturing people in urban environments. His "Humans of New York" work shares Matter's focus on authentic moments and personal narratives.
Annie Leibovitz specializes in portrait photography that reveals the personality and essence of her subjects. Her work connects with Matter's readers through its emphasis on human expression and storytelling through images.
Steve McCurry captures people in their natural environments with an emphasis on movement and authentic moments. His photography style aligns with Matter's approach to freezing motion and finding beauty in everyday situations.
Gregory Heisler creates portraits that emphasize the character and spirit of his subjects through careful composition and lighting. His technical expertise and ability to capture genuine expressions mirror Matter's methods of photographing dancers and performers.
Sally Mann focuses on intimate photography that tells stories about people and their relationships to their surroundings. Her work shares Matter's interest in capturing unguarded moments and authentic human experiences.
Annie Leibovitz specializes in portrait photography that reveals the personality and essence of her subjects. Her work connects with Matter's readers through its emphasis on human expression and storytelling through images.
Steve McCurry captures people in their natural environments with an emphasis on movement and authentic moments. His photography style aligns with Matter's approach to freezing motion and finding beauty in everyday situations.
Gregory Heisler creates portraits that emphasize the character and spirit of his subjects through careful composition and lighting. His technical expertise and ability to capture genuine expressions mirror Matter's methods of photographing dancers and performers.
Sally Mann focuses on intimate photography that tells stories about people and their relationships to their surroundings. Her work shares Matter's interest in capturing unguarded moments and authentic human experiences.