Professional Experience
Canaan Mattson Photography — Owner/Photographer
January 2019 – Present
Responsibilities include concept development, shooting, editing, retouching, and file management. Additionally, manage SEO, analytics, ROI, social media strategy, and platform-specific content creation.
Walker Art Center — Photographer
March 2022 – Oct 2022
Photographed event curators in Spring 2022 and selected choreographers in October 2022.
Target — Photo Assistant
July 2022
Assisted with setup, testing, and collaboration during photoshoots.
Public Functionary — Social Media Strategist
March 2022 – August 2022
Created organic content, managed paid media ad campaigns, and handled digital asset management and social listening.
McKnight Foundation — Photographer
October 2022–2025
Led concept development and photography for various projects, including photographing the 2023, 2024, and 2025 artist fellows.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design — Social Media Coordinator
July 2020 – January 2022
Created engaging content, ran paid media campaigns, and generated reports for stakeholders, while managing institutional photography and digital assets.
Rikshaw Films — Still Photographer/B Cam Operator
June 2020 – Present
Captured portraits and operated B Cam during interviews.
Free Arts Minnesota — Guest Artist in Residency
June 2017 – August 2017
Developed a photography curriculum focused on social activism, and guided youth in creating and exhibiting art related to social justice.
Exhibitions
Raging Art Online (2020) - Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Lush Future (2020) - Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Air it Out (2016) - Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis, MN