Meet comedian Matt Mathews, the man who juggles more professions than most people have fingers. He initially enrolled in nursing school, only to swiftly rebound and exclaim, “I do not want to wipe asses for the rest of my life.” Instead, he’s taken his talents to an Alabama farm, where he captures the digital comedy crown with numerous TikToks racking up millions of views. Farm plowing and punchlines? What a combo!
But wait, there’s more. He’s also a boudoir photographer—yes, that’s a real thing, and no, it doesn’t mean he’s a fancier type of barber. This side hustle is a rarity among comedians, proving that while many trade jokes for laughs, some trade them for, shall we say, after-dark portraits. His favorite part of this gig? Witnessing people discovering their self-confidence. “Much like stand-up,” he quips, “it turns out people like it when you’re not wearing much while laughing.”
1 Make ‘Em Comfortable, or Just Awkwardly Nudge Them
When individuals show up for boudoir sessions, they often appear as relaxed as a cat in a bath—the epitome of vulnerability. Part of Mathews’s charm lies in his ability to relax them, a skill he developed from engaging with audiences during stand-up. “Some people actually sit in the back row to avoid being roasted. Irony alert!” he offers. “I try to assure them we’re all best friends here—one cosmic hangout where ‘talking shit’ is the language of affection.”
Trust built and comfort established, Mathews knows when to shake things up. “Nothing says ‘this will be fun’ like singling someone out unexpectedly. They brace themselves, thinking, ‘Is he about to tear me apart?’ Spoiler alert: it usually ends in laughter, which can be a shock when you were bracing for existential dread!”
@matt_mathews
2 Ditch the Comfort Clothes
Let’s face it—no one arrives at a boudoir shoot to remain wrapped in layers of fabric. After nurturing a safe space, it’s like adding fuel to a fire; Mathews encourages that leap out of comfort zones. “Audience members might be quaking in their boots, convinced the next words out of my mouth will ruin their lives, but they end up saying, ‘Well, that was a blast!” It’s all about striking the sweet spot between humor and harshness—because no one enjoys the taste of mean.”
@matt_mathews
3 Be Your Own Cheerleader
Growing up, Mathews felt about as comfortable in his skin as a turtle in a sweater. His transformation into a boudoir photographer began with his realization that everyone deserves to feel fabulous. “I encourage people to relax because, when you’re at ease, your inner beauty can gracefully stroll out,” he shares.
That message, oddly enough, infiltrated his comedy as well. “My set focuses on inspiring self-love and body positivity. There’s true power in being unapologetically yourself—something I ardently preach and practice,” he indicates. Outrageously enough, it turns out that self-acceptance is hilarious.
4 Your Calendar is Your Best Friend
On Mathews’s website, he casually drops wisdom on how to run a thriving boudoir business. Take note: his first commandment? Get everything on your calendar! Miss a session, and you’ll find yourself in a metaphorical Bermuda Triangle of missed opportunities.
Mathews makes his schedule sound like a manic episode in a candy store, balancing comedy, photography, and somehow managing to sell candles. “My calendar is bonkers—and I run my comedy like a precise business, so I don’t lose track of which chaos is happening when. Everyone needs a plan, or they might forget where they buried that dead body—figuratively speaking, of course!” he adds.
5 Nothing Comes Easy—Except Binge-Watching
Recently, Mathews trimmed down his photography commitments to focus on his whirlwind comedy tour. “It’s a relentless grind!” he laughs. “I’d finish my photo sessions and head out to perform like I’m training for the Comedy Olympics.”
The reality, as Mathews sees it, is that success requires unyielding effort. “I thrive on busyness. My ideal vacation is a day spent at work—because who needs relaxation when you can be gloriously productive?” That’s right, folks. Forget spa days; it’s all about cramming in more to-do lists.
