Featured Explorer: Andrew Matwijec in Alaska

Explorer: Andrew Matwijec
Destination: Alaska

I was extremely fortunate to complete my first assignment as an Army Officer in Alaska.  The beauty found in this State is unmatched and cannot be found anywhere else in the nation.  I often refer to Alaska as a hidden gem that many Americans have yet to discover.

For the first half of my tour in The Last Frontier, I would shoot many of the breathtaking vistas with a simple point and shoot camera that I had purchased.  Halfway through my assignment, I found myself on a combat tour in eastern Afghanistan.  It was in Afghanistan among the foothills of the towering Hindu Kush and the ancient fortifications built by Alexander the Great where I first began to consider taking photography seriously.  One of the Sergeants who worked for me at the time in Afghanistan happened to be a professional photographer.  He introduced me to the world of professional photography and Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras (DSLRs).  Upon my return from Asia to Alaska, I immediately bought myself a brand-new Nikon D7100 camera and began shooting.

Every American should visit Alaska at some point in his or her lifetime.  It is a unique paradise and a wonder for both tourists and photographers alike.  I have been to several hundred destinations both Stateside and internationally.  I have yet to find one that matches Alaska.  America’s Last Frontier is truly a rare gem.

Andrew Matwijec is a world traveler and a photographer.  He graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2010 with degrees in Theology, Philosophy, and German.  He also helped establish the university’s U.S. Army ROTC Program and earned a commission as an Army Officer upon graduation.  Since graduating from Franciscan, Andrew has served in a number of unique Military assignments and has traveled to over four dozen countries on six of the seven continents.  He shares his experiences through photography and has published several photo books of his travels.  Andrew currently resides in Oklahoma.