10 Questions For: Matthew Miszczak

This Cape Town-based photographer is not only insta-famous but also insta-fabulous! Before discovering his talent in snapping incredible photographs that he posts to Instagram, Matthew tried his hand at a cooking channel on YouTube.

1. How would you describe what you do for a living?
Describing what I do for a living is kind of difficult as it’s not fixed and it's sort of an amalgamation of these ’new age/millennial jobs’ that people are creating for themselves. I would be happy with referring to myself as a photographer,video editor, YouTuber, Instagrammer and social media influencer. On a full time basis I work as a vlogger, filmmaker and photographer for a blogger assisting on high end productions – this takes most of my focus.

2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
My most vivid childhood memory is one of the first Christmases that I can remember (so I was quite young) and my sister was so excited about my present that she ran around the house showing everyone this little noisy hammer that I had been given while I just sat in the lounge empty handed!

3. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?
1. Nelson Mandela. I think he's probably on a lot of people's lists for many obvious reasons, but for me it would just be an honour to meet him and thank him for what he did to make South Africa what it is today and what it will become. He wouldn't even need to stay for dinner. If he could just pop in and have a cup of tea or something that would suffice because I wouldn't want to take up too much of his time.
2. Russell Brand. He has been through A LOT of highs and lows, which I think give him such an interesting perspective on life. After watching some of his content that he was putting out leading up to the British elections, he seems to know a lot about a lot which would probably make for some great conversation.
3. Nik Rabinowitz. Nik is my favourite South African comedian whose shows never cease to make me laugh till my face hurts. He would surely be a great dinner guest.

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?
Probably ‘Where is the Love’ by The Black Eyed Peas. This was one of the first songs that I learnt all the lyrics to (so at least I wouldn't be caught short and forget any of the lyrics!) and even though it's 13-years-old I think the meaning behind the song still stands true - and it’s quite popular so I could definitely get away with getting the audience to sing along to cover up the sound of my voice!

5. How would you complete this sentence? The South African cabinet should include a Minister of ____________.
Transformation.

6. What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
That I always have free time. Because I don’t hold a traditional nine to five  job people like to think that I’m free to do whatever I want whenever I want, but even though my job might not have the same structure that a traditional job does, it does not mean I am available to help you move house AGAIN, DAVE!

7. What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
Cape Town is my favourite city in the world. I have been fortunate enough to travel all around the world but for me there is no place that has as much character as Cape Town and Capetonians do. No matter where I go or for how long I go, I will always be happy to return to the Mother City.

8. What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
Being comfortable with putting myself and my work on display for other people to critique. I think everybody has an innate fear of not being liked or having something that you've worked hard on not being appreciated and for me even though it may be as simple as uploading a picture to Instagram - if you don't receive the likes that you might have expected, even though it is a bunch of strangers, it can affect your mood and your drive to continue, but this is something that you learn to deal with and I feel like this has translated into the rest of my life. You slowly realise that not everyone is always going to like what you do and create but that's fine and if anything it just pushes you to create something that you are proud of. When I started out posting videos and photos, they were always just for me and the fact that other people viewed them and liked them was a bonus, but it’s easy to get caught up in the “but what if they don’t like this one?” mentality which can really hold you back.

9. What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?
Hitting me with the deep questions! Haha. I haven’t really given this much thought before now but I guess I’d like to be in a feature film before I die. Even if it’s just a small role, just something so that I can say to my kids one day “Did you know I was in a proper movie?” and then I can live out the rest of my life as a “retired actor” and irritate my kids by saying things like “Well when I was on set…” and “They would never stand for this in the film industry.

10. Which well- known South African personality would you , without a doubt, be able to beat in a one-on-one dance-off and why?  
Gareth Cliff. I know he was (still is?) in the music industry for countless years, but he just looks like the kind of guy who doesn’t have much rhythm. I’ve never seen him in person but I feel like he’s tall and lanky and his limbs would be awkward when he’s trying to break it down. Besides this, he’s pushing 40 so even if he was agile in his youth, I’m sure he’s getting on a bit.

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ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:
CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-known and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates.

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

10 Questions For Cape Town-born Photographer Alfred Thorpe

10 Questions For Cape Town-based Keyboardist and Singer Muriel Marco

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