10 years on YouTube

I really wanted to make a more structured video on this and have an outline to go off of, but this felt like a more appropriate way of sharing the thoughts.

Thank you all for ten years of support.

Big thanks to KEH Camera for sponsoring this video and supporting my channel.

DAY24: Get 5% off your first order on KEH!
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These are affiliate links to KEH Camera, a sponsor of the channel. Simply purchasing through these links and using my discount codes, you’re supporting the channel with no additional cost to your purchase. It’s greatly appreciated.

[PaulieB]

Somewhere in the multiverse, there lies a timeline where Matt Day decides to not press publish.

& that is not a universe I want to exist in.

[AndrewGoodCamera]

Congratulations Matt. Your consistency and just being genuinely you for over a decade is something I greatly admire.

[TomNorthenscold]

I can tell you why I keep coming back. It’s because you are genuine. You don’t put on a fake stage persona. You’re not scripted. You are simply yourself. Congratulations on all your ten-year anniversaries!

[filmlovephotography]

Thank you so much Matt for all and congratulations for the 10 years. I hope to see your videos for more 10 years at least. I remember Ted from the art of photography talking about your channel many years ago, and I'm glad that happened and I went to see your content. Your videos has been inspiring and with a tons of knowledge over the years. Once again thank you so much 👍. Cheers from Portugal

[GxAce]

Enjoyed this one Matt! Love hearing about other youtuber's stories. Its a weird job we have. Keep being you man :)

[stevelever]

Congratulations Matt, I really admire your transparency, honesty and humility. I hope you keep going for a lot longer.

[Frantixj]

I still remember making notes to your "how to develop b&w film" video and then having my phone in the kitchen, following your guidance as I developed my first roll. I think youtubers are like instruments but in a sense of the sound they produce and whether a viewer resonates with that sound. And yours was a style I immediately related to - laid back, easy, no stress, no drama or "smash like and subscribe!!!!"... just photography, gear inspiration and emotions.

And I don't remember when I actually subscribed but after seeing your kids grow up, your gear change a number of times, that damn tick sickness, many hairstyles... I feel like I somehow know you a bit although I'm half across the world and never really saw you.

Thanks for teaching me how to develop film, inspiring me to do more, document my life and being a cool guy on YT. Congrats on your anniversaries and I wish you another amazing 10 years.

[emanuel.alvarez]

I have been watching your videos in periods for a few years now. I really enjoy the perspectives and knowledge you share about photography. Also you seem to be a really nice and humble person. I can also relate to living a simple life in not any particular place. And that’s something I appreciate. Keep up the good work!

[BryanBirks]

I feel like you and me are cut from the same cloth. I relate so much with what you say about talking on camera, making videos, etc.

I guess it’s that Midwest modesty in you. But you shouldn’t change a thing. Just keep doing you.

The most formulaic thing these days is inauthenticity and following a template like you said. If you do that you’re just setting yourself up for inevitable burnout. Sure, you might get some views and make some money but you’re doing it through a mask. I completely agree with you.

Not an old man. Just a photographer growing into themselves and figuring out exactly what they want.

[alexradsby]

Ive been following you since the start. I remember commenting about you posting photos on the Nikon FM2 review you made, like you said. Back in those days you didn't post photos, but when you started sharing your family photos it was really special. Beautiful documentation.

That review made me get my first FM2 and now I'm a Leica photographer. Big thank you for these 10 years!

[richbonn]

Matt...Happy Anniversary. I found your channel around 4 years ago and you have not only taught me a lot about have conveyed a sense of passion that helps to get me out of the house to shoot. I'm a retired broadcaster and we had an acronym in my part of the business (sports talk radio) we used in evaluating talent. And that was POKE: Passion, Opinion, Knowledge and ENTERTAINMENT. You posess all four of these aspects of what makes someone an effective communicator, who can build and keep an audience. I also live in a small city and while I worked in NYC for 35 years, I'm finding ways to shoot what is being presented to me. Eggleston said it best when talking to his wife about shooting in the south, "Everything is so ugly here, " and she responded, "Then go shoot ugly!" As much as I'd love to be in NYC now that I"m retired and pursuing my passion, I am I'lll just shoot "ugly". Thanks for keeping me going.

[metalfingersfilm]

you've laid the ground work for a lot of us on here, dawg!! <3

[esobeegarage]

Matt, I think people who follow you do so for your sincerity and authenticity. While the growth of the channel has been slow and steady, I find that to be a good thing; you never chased after clout or virality or any of the highly sought after vanity metrics in today's vapid social media climate. You're just this humble dude doing your humble thing and bringing us along for the ride and I think most of us long-time subscribers really appreciate that level of normalcy. The best part is that you're also this really talented photographer who posseses this pretty extensive knowledge around photography. Some years I've really taken a backseat to my own photography but I could always count on you and your videos for organic inspiration because I know you are a genuine guy, a normal guy, in some ways just like me maybe. Anyway, happy 10 years! Hope to see you still on here in another 10. All the best to you, man!

[jackytsang]

Thanks Matt for the last 10 years. I still remember my first video was when I was researching about the M3 and you video (the one you borrowed a friends M3 coz your m6 was in service?) was one of the handful of Leica film camera videos back around 2016.

Thanks for sharing your life and photography with us, it does feel like we are growing in life along with you mate 😂

Slow and steady for another 10 pls 🎉

[MicaelWidell]

You were one of the first channels I subscribed to when my interest in photography began around 2016. Still enjoy your videos a great deal. Since then I became a youtuber myself, with a similar journey to yours: slow, steady growth over the years – leading up to doing youtube full time. Agree it is such a luxury to have this job, especially for a family man. Infinite freedom, barely any stress, getting to be creative, getting to follow your passion in life, and getting paid for it. If I want to take a nap, I take a nap. If I want to take a day off, I take a day off. If my family needs me, I never have to negotiate with my boss to be there for them. Best job in the world. I hope and believe that you will get many more years doing this Matt!

[aaronlong]

Congrats on the 10 years! It’s crazy that it’s been that long already. I dont remember exactly when I found your channel but it was towards the beginning of 2015 before I bought my first film Leica and developing b/w at home (with the help of your videos) living in southern indiana/ kentucky area you’ve alway been a very relatable and inspirational photographer. I haven’t been super vocal in the comments all these years but I’ve always looked forward to the next upload. Keep up the awesome content and cheers to future!

[Joe_VanCleave]

Congrats, Matt! You are one of the bright stars in the YouTube photography community because of your solid, consistent and down-to-earth demeanor. I wish you much success in the future. Thank you for your work.

[willmccleland]

Been following you from the start, as I had just started my degree at that same time. Watching your videos helped me load the cameras I was renting from my university! It’s kinda crazy to think it’s been that long! You have done so much for the community by providing the content you have… And just following along with all the life happenings it’s strange but you can tell how much of yourself you pour into your content! I really wish you and the family all the best.

[mattbray_studio]

The work you make of your family and everyday life in the area you live has been the main inspiration on my work for the past few years, working on my second book at the moment. I hope you get to continue making the youtube videos, as they are always real and enjoyable for that reason. All the best from Scotland

[OneMonthTwoCameras]

Been here since the beginning, will be here til the end. Always appreciate your knowledge, talent and grounded nature.