My name is Matthew Bourassa, and I am a photographer based between Vancouver, BC and Calgary, AB. Born in Calgary, raised in Vancouver, and having spent part of my formative years in San Diego, I grew up experiencing very different environments that continue to influence the way I approach my work today.
I began behind the camera through snowboarding and skateboarding, where working with movement and unpredictable conditions became a foundation for much of what followed. My work later expanded heavily into automotive and motorsports, including high-performance vehicles, racetracks, and event environments. More recently, rodeo and Western culture have become an important direction in my work, combining action with the people, traditions, and atmosphere surrounding the sport.
That range of experience has made adaptability one of the strongest parts of my work. Different environments bring different demands, and I have learned to remain effective through changing weather, difficult terrain, physical conditions, time pressure, and fast-moving situations where awareness matters. From freezing days in the mountains to hot racetracks and unpredictable outdoor events, I am comfortable adjusting to the environment rather than expecting the environment to accommodate me. My portfolio has grown across action sports, automotive, events, architecture, landscapes, and other projects, with each adding something to the way I work today.
Alongside my professional work, I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management and an MBA in Media Leadership. My education in business, marketing, and media complements the technical side of my work and has strengthened my understanding of how imagery functions within larger stories, brands, and industries.
Outside of my professional and academic work, my interests include music, cars, dancing, Western culture, snowboarding, and a range of personal projects. Many of the environments I photograph are ones I have a genuine interest in understanding beyond the camera. That familiarity allows me to recognize the details, people, and moments that matter within them, rather than approaching every assignment as an outsider.
