Tonight I can announce that I have made an application for funding from the Creative Scotland National Lottery Open fund for Individuals to assist me with the launch of Matt's Place, a unique creative hub in the heart of Cupar, and the home of Matt Hooper Photography and MH CREATIVE.
What is Matt's Place, and why is it vital to the future of MH CREATIVE and Matt Hooper Photography?
Matt's Place is a planned photography studio, gallery, creative space and cafe which will be home to Matt Hooper Photography and MH CREATIVE. The photography studio and creative space will be available for other creatives to hire, and the overall space will be used for hosting exhibitions of photography and art, as well as hosting photography talks, art classes and more. Matt's Place also will have a cafe for people to come and enjoy a quiet coffee away from the hustle and bustle of life.
Matt's Place is vital to the future of MH CREATIVE and Matt Hooper Photography because ever since I launched St Andrews Golf Magazine, 12 years ago, I have been working full time in a variety of hospitality roles alongside building a media platform and my photography business. Matt's Place will enable me to open my photography bookings 7 days a week, having revenue from Matt's Place to fall back on. This also means I will be able to create more content, and be more consistent with my content for SHANK and GRNDSTND, as well as putting together THIS IS GOLF and the next edition of EXQUISITE by Matt Hooper Photography.
I will also be able to work on the photobooks which I have aimed to produce over the last couple of years, but haven't had the chance to do due to work commitments.
Matt's Place will be a unique creative hub in the heart of Cupar, and will enable me to connect with other creative individuals in a variety of artistic fields, and be a base for my studio photography. Prior to the launch of Matt's Place I have had to rely upon shooting in a natural landscape with models, or using my personal residence for Boudoir or Portrait photography, which is unsustainable. There isn't another photography studio for hire in this area, and I anticipate demand for it being quite high from photographers in North East Fife, Dundee and maybe further afield.
Services, products and facilities offered at Matt's Place:
Photography studios
Creative space
Gallery and event space
Café
Printing and photocopying
The sale of zines, photobooks, prints and art
What is MH CREATIVE?
MH CREATIVE is the Creative company owned by Matt Hooper, which includes Matt Hooper Photography, CHARISMA, MH LIVE, SHANK, GRNDSTND, THIS IS GOLF, EXQUISITE by Matt Hooper Photography, as well as local community Facebook groups This is St Andrews, and Super Cupar. Matt Hooper Photography offers the following products and services:
Matt Hooper Sports Photography
Golf by Matt Hooper Photography
The Original St Andrews Photoshoot Tour
The Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour
The Original Edinburgh Photoshoot Tour
The Original Super Cupar Photoshoot Tour
Weddings by Matt Hooper Photography
Boudoir by Matt Hooper Photography
Beach Shoots with Matt
And once Matt's Place opens fully, CHARISMA (modelling agency) will go live
What if funding from Creative Scotland is not granted?
I am already looking to apply for alternative grants from other funding bodies across the UK.
A decision on the application is anticipated within 14 weeks (week beginning 27 October, 2025).