Some of the biggest names in Christian music, including For King and Country, Lecrae, Crowder and Danny Gokey, have been captured by the lens of Matthew Black, a junior broadcasting, digitalmediaand journalism major atCedarville University.Black’s journey as a performance photographer began in 2023 with a last-minute opportunity to photograph Winter Jam in Tampa, Florida, near his Spring Hill home.

Black continues to balance his studies with a blossoming freelance career, fueled by his dedication to capturing the perfect shot. With his many concert experiences, Black has seen his work featured by artists on major social media platforms and in marketing campaigns.

By leveraging his growing network of industry connections, Black has refined his skills in live performance photography and has honed his style. One of the many skills he has learned is the importance of networking, as many of his jobs have come from a simple call or text.

One such project involved working with For King and Country over two consecutive nights on their recent Unsung Hero Tour.Black was embedded with the national touring group and was able to capture images that would not be available if he had only attended their concerts.Black’s talent with a camera got the band’s attention and led to his work being featured on the band’s Instagram page.

“Seeing my photos on their Instagram in front of one million people was surreal,” said Black. “But I reminded myself that the goal isn’t about recognition. It's about serving their ministry with my creative work.”

While Black builds his portfolio and contact list, he remains focused on his ultimate goalof serving the ministries of Christian artists. Each of his shots shares the story of the artist and encourages people to hear the message of their music.

Black’s experience has taught him patience in waiting for the right shot. He has also learned to capture the style of each artist whilemaintaining his signature look, which showcases his creative versatility.

While Black is learning on the job, one of his professors is noticing a rising star in the photo communication profession.

“Even before Matt officially started classes at Cedarville in 2023, he was already making connections with people onand –offcampus to gain experience as a content creator, build his network and hone his skills,” saidSean O’Connor, assistant professor of broadcasting, digital media andjournalism.“The opportunities that God has provided for him in the last year and a half have been truly amazing. I look forward to seeing what's next for him!”

Throughout his two years as a concert photographer, Black has learned lessons and gathered experiences that will help him become better at his work. Even as a student, Blackis making strides as a professional in the world of performance photography.

Black is currentlyworking at the ARK Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky with Christian artistSeph Schlueter as he prepares for the 2025 40 Days and 40 Nights of Christian Music Festival.

You can see Black’s work here: https://www.instagram.com/mattblack_media/

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.