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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
I shoot exclusively outdoors. No studios, no stiff poses.
Most of my work is families, couples and engagements, and personal portrait sessions. Everything is built around real movement and natural moments: kids running ahead down a garden path, a couple at golden hour, a portrait session where you actually look like yourself instead of posed.
You don't need to be outdoorsy or hike anywhere. Almost every location I use is a short walk from parking. Filoli and Gamble Garden in spring, the Stanford campus and cactus garden, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, Shoreline here in Mountain View, and the coast at Half Moon Bay. I know these places well enough to tell you exactly what time to arrive and where the light will be when you get there.
We'll pick the location together before the session, so nothing is left to chance on the day.
Sessions start at $450 for one hour and 20+ professionally edited photos, delivered in a private online gallery with full resolution downloads and print rights.
Overview
Current Top Pro
Hired 5 times
Serves Mountain View, CA
Background checked
1 employee
1 year in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Credit card, PayPal, and Venmo.
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and punctuality.
Exceptional 5.0
32 reviews
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Read reviews that mention:
Elia P.
Aug 16, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
Matthew was able to make everyone feel at ease and get really good shots. The quality of his work is outstanding. We highly recommend Matthew for your photo shoot.
Details: Family or children's portrait • Natural / environmental (photographed in an outdoor setting) • Outdoors • Physical proofs and prints • My home, venue, etc.
Portrait Photography
Ben L.
Sep 8, 2026
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From Google
Had Matthew take surprise proposal photos for me and my fiancee. He was very thoughtful and helpful, and even met me beforehand to scout out the shoot and plan it out before receiving any payment, along with giving plenty of pointers for execution the day of, all for a very reasonable price compared to most engagementphotographers out there. 10/10 would recommend
Matthew Duncan Adventure Photography's reply
Thanks Ben. The scouting trip made the difference — once we'd stood on that spot and worked out where you'd stop and which way to turn her, the day itself was straightforward. You did the hard part. Congratulations to you both.
cristalyn M.
Sep 8, 2026
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From Google
Matthew and his wife made my engagement day so special! They were so attentive and encouraging. They captured the most beautiful pictures and completely blew me away. And they even got a video of my fianc proposing! So so grateful for them.
Matthew Duncan Adventure Photography's reply
Thank you Cristalyn, this means a lot. Ben put a huge amount of thought into that day and it showed, right down to scouting the spot beforehand so we knew exactly where he'd kneel. Getting to photograph the moment you found out was a privilege. Congratulations to you both, and best of luck with the planning.
Mei L.
Sep 8, 2026
•
From Google
Matthew was truly incredible to work with, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From the very beginning, he brought such a kind, patient, warm, and genuinely caring energy to our family photo session. Photographing a family especially when there are little ones involved is no easy task, but Matthew handled every moment with such grace and patience. He never made us feel rushed or stressed, and somehow managed to make the entire experience feel fun, relaxed, and natural.What stood out to me most was how incredibly patient he was. He took the time to work with everyone, gently guiding us into position while also allowing the moments to unfold naturally. He was wonderful with the kids, meeting them exactly where they were and never making them feel like they had to perform. His ability to bring out genuine smiles and capture authentic moments was truly special.Matthew also has such a wonderful eye for photography. He knew how to position us, find beautiful light, and capture those little in-between moments that often end up meaning the most. The photographs feel timeless and full of warmth, not overly posed or artificial, but like real moments of our family and the love we share.Beyond his talent as a photographer, Matthew is simply a lovely person. He was thoughtful, respectful, accommodating, and so easy to be around. We felt completely comfortable with him, and that made such a difference in allowing our personalities and family dynamic to come through in the photos.We are so grateful that Matthew captured this chapter of our familys life for us. These are photographs we will treasure for years to come, and I know that when we look back at them, well remember not only how beautiful the images are, but also how wonderful the experience was.Thank you, Matthew, for your incredible patience, kindness, professionalism, and talent. You gave us so much more than beautiful photographs, you gave us memories we can hold onto forever. We feel very lucky to have had you capture our family, and we would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone looking for a photographer who is not only exceptionally talented, but also genuinely wonderful to work with.
Matthew Duncan Adventure Photography's reply
Thank you, Mei. This one means a lot. Your family made the job easy: three generations who actually like each other, two kids who were up for anything, and a grandfather who quietly stole several of the frames. The Wood Line and the bridge at sunset did their part too. I hope the gallery does the day justice. Thank you for trusting me with this chapter.
Teodora O.
Jun 22, 2026
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From Google
We had the best experience with Matthew for our beach photo session! He was so patient and made my child feel comfortable and have fun, which made for the most natural and genuine smiles. He captured such beautiful moments, and every photo turned out even better than I imagined.Matthew is incredibly talented, professional, and has a great eye for finding the perfect light and scenery. These are memories we'll cherish forever. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for stunning photos and a relaxed, enjoyable experience. Thank you, Matthew!
Matthew Duncan Adventure Photography's reply
Thank you, Teodora. Kids almost never hand over those smiles in the first ten minutes, and that's completely fine by me. Half the job is slowing down and waiting until they forget the camera is there. Once your child got to that point, the genuine ones started showing up on their own.
Montara State Beach is one of my favorite spots on the coast. The light shifts every twenty minutes out there and you never quite know what you'll get, but that afternoon gave us a good one.
Glad the photos turned out the way you'd hoped. Thanks for taking the time to write this.
Credentials
Background Check
Matthew Duncan
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Sessions start at $450 and include 20 or more fully edited images delivered in a private online gallery with full resolution downloads and print rights. Travel within an hour of Mountain View is included. Some venues charge an entry fee, Filoli and Hakone Gardens for example, and that gets passed through at cost. No hidden fees and no discounts. The price you're quoted is the price.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We start with a short conversation about what you want. Who's in the photos, what you'll use them for, and what kind of place feels like you. I suggest locations based on the season and where the light will be good that week, we pick a time built around golden hour, and I scout it beforehand so nothing is left to chance. On the day, your job is to relax and mine is to work around you. Your edited gallery arrives within two to three weeks.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Self-taught, then refined over years of shooting outdoors in every kind of Bay Area light. Most of what I know is about reading a location: where the sun will be at 6:40, which corner holds soft shade at noon, how a marine layer changes a beach. I shoot professional Canon bodies and fast prime lenses, and I edit every image myself rather than sending files to a service.
