Matt Shiffler Photography

Matt Shiffler Photography Hi! I'm a professional photographer in Cleveland, Ohio. My goal is to make a positive impact!
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Fern Creek adventures at New River GorgeSprawling waterfalls, a mini slot canyon, and massive boulders dot the landscape...
06/02/2026

Fern Creek adventures at New River Gorge

Sprawling waterfalls, a mini slot canyon, and massive boulders dot the landscape at New River Gorge' Fern Creek waterfall trail in Fayetteville, West Virginia. The challenging and steep descent to the train tracks below is a blast, especially with photo buds which I'd recommend for this slightly sketchy hike. 🙂

More than just the amazing scenery of caves, rhododendrons, and waterfalls, I enjoyed documenting the people around me who make these trips so special.

Watching my friend of over a decade Abandoned by Sherman Cahal descend the steep ladders (with a medical backboard ominously at the bottom), or Jason Furda Photography climbing out of a 27 hours style slot canyon, Derek Chase Photography inching down the cave wall, or Daniel Thompson Photography towering atop a cliffside, these are the memories I won't forget.

For the outdoor minded folk, get on over to West Virginia and enjoy every second. It's an outdoorman's playground steeped in history and New River is one of the U.S's newest designated national parks. Can't wait to go back...

Truly appreciate all of you who support and follow along my photography journey and career. A quick note here to write t...
05/27/2026

Truly appreciate all of you who support and follow along my photography journey and career.

A quick note here to write that I’m closing my books for the year to focus on my current clients. I have a number of photographer colleagues to refer who do wonderful work. If you have any photo inquiries, I’m more than happy to pass on their names.

Thanks to friend Jason Furda Photography for taking this fun photo of me on a trip to WV.

Remembering those who have served and lost in service on this Memorial DayI recently got written from Raymond's daughter...
05/25/2026

Remembering those who have served and lost in service on this Memorial Day

I recently got written from Raymond's daughter that he has since passed and wanted to remind you of his story when I photographed him over a decade ago.

In Spring 2015, I visited Wi******er, Indiana for their Welcome Home Parade for Vietnam Veterans. As the smiling veterans marched through the quaint streets and waved to the crowd, I saw an elderly man with a walker. The man, who wore a Vietnam Veteran hat, stood and saluted every veteran who walked by. At the end of the parade, I went over and met Ray and his proud wife Kathryn. I told him I admired how he stood for every veteran who walked by and he expressed the sentiment that I’ve heard often from Vietnam Vets; “We never had a welcome home. This is it for us.”

As a squad leader with the 3rd division Marines, Ray was injured 4 times but kept fighting. He was captured near the Cambodian border and was thrown into a bamboo box, which was around three by three feet wide. His only meal came when he could catch a rat. One night, Ray finally saw an opportunity to escape and had to kill his guard. 40 years later, Ray still felt bad about it but did it to live. The war affected him for years and still does, but it wasn’t until he met Virginia that he started to feel more like himself again. She stands by his side and you could really sense how much they loved each other.

By the end of his story, everyone was in tears and then I asked him what he took away from the Vietnam War. Ray replied “I’m proud to be an American.”

It was an honor to meet Ray that day and that with his family by this side, he lived a great life. Thank you for your service Ray and welcome home.

He also solemnly told me about the friends who never made it home. We remember them on this Memorial Day and thank them for their sacrifices.

The sun sets over Lake Erie from the pier of Euclid Beach Park, my neighborhood park. Definitely the best sunset of the ...
05/21/2026

The sun sets over Lake Erie from the pier of Euclid Beach Park, my neighborhood park. Definitely the best sunset of the year.

05/21/2026

Gorgeous Cleveland sunset tonight from Euclid Beach Park 🌅

05/19/2026

Morning coffee accompanied by the latest Long Weekends Magazine! Thrilled to share my article, "Night Lights," featuring the best stargazing spots in West Virginia. Hope you can check it out in the link below. 🙂🌌

The best birding day so far this migration season included great looks at over a dozen species of warbler, eagles, tanag...
05/14/2026

The best birding day so far this migration season included great looks at over a dozen species of warbler, eagles, tanagers etc....

Fun to get some photos of them feeding, nesting, flying etc and always a a great challenge for a photographers's autofocus.

Hope you enjoy the variety of species below. :)

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH during the Biggest Week in American BirdingBirders wait nearly two hours to finally spot t...
05/14/2026

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH during the Biggest Week in American Birding

Birders wait nearly two hours to finally spot the elusive Mourning Warbler. A rare songbird, the Mourning Warbler is a bird that stays close to the ground and likes to stay hidden in the brush. Was very happy to get this photo of it. We were also rewarded with a great view of a Prothonotary warbler that was nesting nearby.

Migration will continue throughout the weekend with various species flying alongside the Lake Erie shoreline.

Peak of migration is underway with a busy morning at Wendy Park!While birding this morning in Cleveland, my Merlin app c...
05/11/2026

Peak of migration is underway with a busy morning at Wendy Park!

While birding this morning in Cleveland, my Merlin app counted 49 different bird species in the less than two hours I was there!

I photographed over a dozen warbler species, including the incredibly rare Blue-winged warbler, a new to me lifer species for me.

The Biggest Week in American Birding continues into next week with large bird numbers this past weekend and a variety of species passing through.

They call Northwest Ohio the Warbler Capital of the World during the “Biggest Week” but anywhere inland or along the Ohio lakeshore with leafy habitat are full of the migrating songbirds.

Go check out Magee Marsh for a unique birder experience or go local with Headlands on the east side, Wildwood Park in my neighborhood or Huntington Beach/Bradley Woods for the west siders. Have fun!

Ohio Magazine
Lake Erie Living
I'm From Cleveland

Today marked the start of the Biggest Week in American Birding in Ohio. An event that brings tens of thousands of birder...
05/09/2026

Today marked the start of the Biggest Week in American Birding in Ohio. An event that brings tens of thousands of birders from around the United States to the shores of Lake Erie.

I wasn't able to make it to the renowned Magee Marsh today and went to local Northeast Ohio favorites Bradley Woods and Wendy Park instead.

Numerous colorful warblers dotted the high treetops and I saw about ten different warbler species, including Black Throated Blues, Northern Parulas, American Redstarts, Yellows, Nashvilles (pretty sure) and heard a Golden Winged. The rose breasted grosbeaks stole the show with the female winning the fight, and a favorite bird of mine-the Indigo Bunting.

For those who want to get away from their screens this spring, I'd encourage grabbing a cheapie pair of binoculars and try out birding, especially Magee Marsh in NW Ohio. And for the photographers, if you want some fun autofocus practice, warblers are always a great challenge.

The next week of birding along the shores of Lake Erie, in locations such as Cleveland Lakefront Preserve, Wendy Park, Sandy Ridge or Huntington Beach, will be the best of the year for the most variety of species.

For more information on migration and a reminder to turn off your lights during migration season, please see this Lights Out article I wrote last year in the comments below. Ohio Magazine

Enjoy the wildlife and our spring before it's gone! :)

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