Seattle-based Stephen Matera is a veteran landscape and sports photographer and an active proponent of wilderness preservation. His unique images result from his love of the mountains, the desert, the ocean, and the tricks that light plays on them. He also actively participates in the sports he photographs, from skiing and snowboarding to mountaineering, kayaking and more. He is particularly known for his vast catalogue of Pacific Northwest images, from stunning sunrise photographs of Mt. Rainier and Glacier Peak to mesmerizing shots of northern Puget Sound islands at dusk.

Though Matera often asks his models to pose for the same shot over and over again, after seeing the final results (and after drinking a few beers), they usually realize that the sweat and toil of standing around were worth it to become a rock star.

Matera's images have appeared in a wide variety of media including Bike magazine, Skiing magazine, Oregon Outside, and the 2002 Audubon Society monthly calendar. His numerous corporate clients include Rossignol, Tubbs Snowshoes, and the Gregory. More of his work can be viewed at his online gallery at http://www.materaphoto.com