Antes de Disparar, Aprendi a ver.

Matías González / Mati Gonzs / MGz

Documentary Photographer & Visual Storyteller
Born in Santiago, Chile – 1993

Documentary photographer whose work blurs the lines between personal memory and collective truth. He began his photographic journey at the age of 22 while studying at Universidad del Pacífico in Chile, later moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he completed his education at the Argentine School of Photography.

In 2014, his path led him to New York City, where he collaborated with The Brenizers in Brooklyn, beginning a cross-continental career that would root his practice in both Latin America and the United States.

Mati’s work is deeply emotional and human-centered. Though widely known for his documentary approach to weddings, his true signature lies in his ability to portray vulnerability, connection, and the passage of time through still images. His photographs are not posed—they are lived. His lens is guided by empathy, not trend. To him, photography is not a profession—it is a ritual, a daily act of presence, and a lifelong dedication to remembering what truly matters.

  • 2025

    • Narrative Workshop with Francisco Montoro – Buenos Aires, Argentina (April 2025)

    2018

    • TURMA Grant Program – Buenos Aires, Argentina

    2017

    • Portfolio Review at ERRANTE International Photography Festival (Sponsored by National Geographic) – Montevideo, Uruguay

    • Workshop with Alejandro Cartagena at FOTOLEGAL (FOLA) – Buenos Aires, Argentina

    2016

    • Encuentro Fotográfico México – Cholula, Puebla, México

    • Mirar Distinto Documentary Photo Fest – Xalapa, México

    2015

    • Latino Foto Festival – Chile

    • Workshop with Cristóbal Olivares + Mud Magazine & Tetrapunk

    • Workshop with Ed Kashi at FotoArica – Arica, Chile (CNCA Beca recipient)

    • Workshop with Raúl Goycoolea at FEFS (Festival de Fotografía de Santa Fe)

    • Foro de Fotógrafos (FDF) – Córdoba, Argentina

    2014

    • Latino Foto Festival – Chile

    • Workshop with Natalia Roca – Chile

    • Workshop with Ryan Brenizer – Chile

    2013 & Prior

    • Escuela Argentina de Fotografía (EAF) – Argentina

    • Workshop with Nórdica Photography – Chile

    • Workshop with Andrés Medina & Kyle Hepp – Chile

    • Photography Studies – Universidad del Pacífico, Chile

    • Audiovisual Communication – ARCOS, Chile

    • Graphic Design – UNIACC, Chile

  • 2025

    • Foro de Fotógrafos (FDF) – Mar del Plata, Argentina

    • PhotoJourney – Buenos Aires, Argentina

    2016 - 2019

    • Foro de Fotografos Cordoba, Argentina.

    • Magia Photography Congress, Concepción, Chile.

    • Latino Foto Festival . Santiago, Chile.

    • Mirar Distinto Documentary Photo Fest – Xalapa, México

    2015

    • "Frontera" – Group exhibition at FotoArica Festival, Chile (Workshop led by Ed Kashi)

  • Projects & Publishing

    • Founder of Sunflower Editions – Independent publishing platform for documentary photography projects.

    • Published Books:

      • "Be from the Block"

      • "Quilicurast"

    • 2018 – TURMA Grant Program, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    • 2017 – Selected for FIFV (Festival Internacional de Fotografía de Valparaíso), Chile

    • 2017 – Portfolio Review at Alexia Foundation (Photoville) with Ed Kashi – New York, USA

    • 2015 – CNCA FotoArica Grant, Chile

    • 2015 – Nominee, Rodrigo Rojas Denegri Award (Chilean photography distinction) del elemento

  • 2018

    • Instagram Takeover – Open Society Foundation (May 2018, USA)

    • Instagram Takeover – Blink Photography (March 2018, USA)

    2017

    • "PART I: National Hispanic Month" – Featured in Visura (USA)

    • "Nadie Busca lo que no Conoce" – Interview in Joia Magazine (Chile)

    • "Autores Noviembre" – Bex Magazine (Argentina)

    • "Quilicurast" – Fuji X Passion Magazine (Fujifilm, USA)

    • "Quilicurast – Edición Diciembre" – Revista Pecado (Argentina)

    • "Photo of the Day: Best of October" – National Geographic (USA)

    2016 & Earlier

    • MGz. – Universidad del Pacífico (Chile)

    • "Quilicurast V1." – Fotogramas Galería (Chile)