MA2LA is a husband and wife Nashville-based creative firm specializing in Brand Design, Photography and Film. But what they really do is tell stories.
Their own story combines a professional relationship with a personal partnership, and they power one of the leading creative firms in central Tennessee.
It is run by Laura and Anthony Matula, who both bring different but complementary backgrounds to their company.
“We are storytellers,” Laura said. “Whether it be in design, film, or photography, we want to help tell a story and to move the viewer to have an emotional response to our work.”
They focus on brand identity and strategy, digital and print marketing and design, art direction, editorial photography, music videos, cinematic trailers and creative film. Their photos have been published in Dwell, GQ, W Magazine, Food and Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit, Dance Magazine, People Magazine and The New York Times. Their music videos have been featured on VH1, MTV, Fuse and CMT while their teasers and trailers have been featured nationally on television.
Johnnyswim Video directed by MA2LA
Meet the storytellers
Anthony focuses on graphic design, brand development, photography and directing. He has created and worked with many successful brands ranging from individuals to Fortune 25 companies. He photographs fashion, architecture, lifestyle, culinary art, dance, live and staged events and much more.
Laura brings a background in film, music video production, event production, project management and direction and she has worked with many industry elites in that field. Laura’s expanded focus at MA2LA ranges from art direction, brand identity, video storyboarding, production, directing and editing to project management and client communication. Laura also performs in various productions. You might have seen her as the wicked witch in the Studio Tenn production of the Wizard of Oz last year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center
MA2LA bases its process on conversation and concise execution. They value working with clients who have creative integrity, innovative business models and a desire to make a positive impact.
Anthony started the business, then named ANTHONYMATULA, LLC, in 2007 after working on his own for several years as a design contractor. Laura joined him after leaving her job at Third Man Records, in 2012.
Eighteen years ago, Anthony started working in web design and graphic design in high school and continued throughout college, working in design on the side while studying Jazz Drum set Performance at Berklee College of Music. This is also where he met Laura, who was studying Music Business/Management and vocal performance.
After moving to Nashville in 2003 and working several jobs in the graphic design field, Anthony decided to branch out on his own. After working for four years in the music industry and helping to manage an indie-rock record label in Nashville, Laura decided to join him and make a solid go of it. Her experience at the label in all levels of the music industry including working on set for film, producing music videos, tour managing and more, helped provide her the tools to bring to MA2LA that help achieve their success.
In the future, MA2LA wants to branch out into more film.
“We have a strong desire to film a documentary in the Philippines, where I grew up,” said Laura. “We would also like to work on some short films and a feature film. After working for a long time to define what it is that we do, since our specialties span quite a range, we have finally been able to define what we do best.”
Owning a small business requires a balance. There is home, and there is work. Running a business with your spouse can make it even harder. Anthony and Laura, however, seem to be comfortable on that stage.
“Both being self-employed will never be the easiest career choice, but we both know it is the right choice,’ Laura said. “Having the freedom to make our schedule, choose our clients and relationships as well as having time to spend with our daughter will always be the right choice. We are both highly creative individuals who would start to shrivel up and die if ever stuck in a cubicle, so we are blessed that we have the opportunity to carve out a niche for our business and have a solid outlet for our creativity. It is both a blessing and a curse. Working together as husband and wife can also be a challenge but we have such open communication with each other and function on a similar wavelength where we can talk about ideas and be honest enough to get things done without hurting feelings. It’s not for most couples but we couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
The best way to get in touch with them is email [email protected] or their Website.
“Our clients span a wide range of industries and we love keeping things new and creative so we are open to a variety of clients” Laura said. “We do, however, make it a priority to work with clients in the arts as that is a huge passion of ours. Studio Tenn, based in Franklin, TN is one of our clients and we have worked on their brand from the ground up and continue to design and create all their marketing materials.”
Some other past and present clients include:
Sinema
The Sutler
Nashville Ballet
The American Bible Society
Corsair
EOA Architects
People Magazine
Jackson Morgan Southern Cream
The Heritage Foundation
Johnnyswim
Ashmont Hill/Jubilee Worship
The Catbird Seat
Merchants
Melinda Doolittle
Emil Erwin
Firepot Chai
Micah Children’s Academy
The Ingram Group
The Hook
The Swan Ball
Georgetown Masters
Hodgson Douglas
Broadway Booking
Rory Vaden
PAK-47
Humanility
Climbworks
Habitat for Humanity
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