In times like these while we are in the midst of a global pandemic and a war on police brutality, it’s easy to feel dejected, but when I call Matthew Mack, aka Ziddium, on a Wednesday afternoon, he greets me with a big smile and great enthusiasm. 

Currently a rising sophomore at St. John’s University in Queens, Ziddium is a photographer and videographer from Inglewood, California. 

His positivity is infectious and his love for life is reflected in his photography. Just don’t think for a second that he’s naive, Zidd’s photos showcase his ability to capture intimate moments and spark various emotions among viewers. 

He photographs his friends and captures a unique aesthetic for each collection. Zidd has even got shots of rappers like Young Thug and Lil Mosey.

Zidd clearly has a taste for the beauty of life. As we caught up over FaceTime, he answered some questions while riding through a carwash in his native Inglewood. 

Biggest inspirations

Lately, I’d have to say my biggest inspiration has been Malcolm X. I’ve been watching a lot of interviews and speeches and reading up on him. He was very intelligent and someone who stood for something and fought for what he stood for, definitely very inspiring. 

Meaning behind your work

Originally Ziddium started as just photography but now I’m expanding it to a whole brand. Ziddium is going to be a creative hub for lots of different art forms, a collective of sorts. I want the brand to showcase many different kinds of creatives.

Message to aspiring photographers

Find your roots, understand why you started in the first place, and understand what you love about it. Have a specific purpose in mind too. A purpose or goal gives you something to work towards.

Upcoming work

I’ve been working on some very cool visuals, can’t say too much more though [laughs]. 

Other Interests

Lately I’ve gotten into cooking, the next thing I want to cook is fettuccine alfredo, that’s definitely torch eats. 

What motivates you

Seeing my friends succeed for sure. Movies too, I’ve been watching breaking bad and paying close attention to camera angles and different shots, stuff like that. 

Favorite Cartoon Character

Hmm that’s a good question… I’d have to say the main character from Midnight Gospel. I forget his name actually but I love how he travels to different worlds everyday. That's super cool to me. 

(Editor’s note: the main character’s name is Clancy)

Message to Your Younger Self

Have fun, explore, venture out, and don’t be afraid. Trying new things is going to help you out a lot in later life