Matthew "Monty" Montgomery is an award winning photographer and journalist.

Broadcast journalism was Matthew's introduction to visual media production, learning all aspects of producing a bi-weekly news show as student director of Manchester High School's nationally recognized MHS TV News (now The Pulse). After taking all video production courses offered, Matthew's advisor suggested photography courses with the wisdom, "If you master telling a story in a single frame, you can speak volumes with a 55 second video package."

Storytelling remains Matthew's driving motivation.

Matthew continued studying journalism at Boston University, where he intended to concentrate in broadcast media. During his first year, he joined the independent student newspaper The Daily Free Press, earning positions as a staff photographer and assignment editor. The independence and freedom of photography inspired Matthew to switch concentrations to photography and study under former Boston Globe editors, AP bureau chiefs, and Pulitzer Prize winners.

As the world of print journalism shrank, Matthew returned home to Manchester, CT and opened his photography business a year later in 2009. Self-taught lighting and studio techniques for the switch to portrait and editorial photography also established a bolder style which helped launch Matthew into the world of political campaigning and advocacy. With a client list ranging from municipal board members to federal legislators and some of the nation's largest campaign firms, Matthew helped shape the image of some of today's rising stars and veteran policymakers alike.

When not behind the camera, Matthew is pursuing another passion: working with young people. Matthew was a swim instructor and summer camp waterfront director during more than 20 years as a Waterfront Lifeguard and LGI. He is now a special education paraeducator, and coaches track & field and swimming. He is also completing coursework to become a technology teacher.