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About Aesthetic Design & Photography

Aesthetic Design & Photography Gallery

Aesthetic Design & Photography was founded in San Jose, California on April 1, 1999 by Matt Knowles. Three years earlier, in 1996, Matt was introduced to the World Wide Web and was immediately hooked. Back in those days the Internet wasn't the commercial monster that it has become, but instead was far more community oriented, with most web sites being created to share one's knowledge or passion for a certain hobby.

Looking for some way to contribute, Matt began working on building a web site for the Victorian Preservation Association. The work he did for that web site caught the attention of the owner of the Gingerbread Mansion Inn, and he soon had his first commercial client. So three years later when his employer announced they were closing, he figured the time was right to strike out on his own. Combining his love of photography with his design and programming experience, he created a one stop shop for people looking to get a quality web site built.

Gallery before renovation

In November of 2000, Matt and his wife Lori realized their dream of moving to Ferndale. They bought an 1888 Victorian out in the country to begin their second old house restoration. For a year their lives slowed to Ferndale time, but the couple soon found they were busier than ever. In May of 2002, Matt and Lori signed a lease for a shop on Ferndale's historic Main Street, to be the home of a new photography studio and gallery. This allowed Matt to expand the photography side of the business into portraiture as well as commercial photography. The studio and gallery is located in the historic Branstetter Building, built in 1895. For over a hundred years the shop was home to a series of jewelry stores. Matt was elated to find out that in 1896 an addition was built on the back of the building and the tenant of that space was Elite Gallery, a photography studio. Extensive restoration of the interior was needed, with the owners doing much of the work themselves. Finally, after four months of hard work, the studio had its grand opening in late September of 2002.

After 5 years of working on Main Street, the tough decision was made to give up the beautiful office and studio as the space was just too small for an efficient studio. The studio is now located at 989 Milton St., Suite 2D and the office was moved back to Matt's home. The studio is open on Fridays from 9am to 5pm and by appointment.

Matt Knowles F.V.F.D. Co. #1

About Matt Knowles

In addition to running his business, Matt is a busy Firefighter/EMT with the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department. When he's not playing webmaster or fireman, he's usually out riding around on one of his motorcycles taking pictures. Every once in awhile he finds time to work in the yard, or renovate some aspect of the Victorian he shares with his wife Lori and their four cats.

Born in San Jose and a resident there most of his life, Matt was surprised to find out shortly after moving to Ferndale that his great grandfather, John Knowles, lived and is buried in Fortuna, a town just 5 miles away from where he lives now. A fortuitous chain of events conspired to make it possible for Matt to live in one of the best places a motorcycling photographer could hope to end up, and for that he is very thankful.

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