Meet Matt: Your Photoshop Instructor

Helping Extinguish Bad Editing Habits

mvpompa fire gold 1

Photographer and Photoshopper

Hi, I’m Pompa!

I’m an engineer, firefighter, and marketer. Yes, I wear many hats—and that’s exactly what makes my Photoshop instruction different. While most instructors teach you what buttons to push, I’m here to show you how to set up your creative firelines so you’re never caught in a revision inferno.

In my career, I’ve blended my love of photography and digital art for the past 17 years. I’ve continually expanded my abilities both behind the camera and in how I teach my Photoshop editing techniques.

My work has been featured across prominent websites, social media, and email marketing campaigns, generating over $100M+ in revenue for brands I’ve worked with.

Now, I’m looking to share my passion for Photoshop by teaching my successful non-destructive editing processes that will help fellow creatives improve their workflow and Photoshop skills—so they can deliver exceptional results for their businesses, bosses, and clients!

The Photoshop Emergency

Early in my editing career, I’d directly edit an image, apply adjustments to key layers, and rasterize groups throughout my workflow. Then, a boss or client would say, “We need to make some revisions.”

I felt like I just walked into a structure fire without the proper gear.

If you’ve ever worked on a design project, you’ve probably faced these design fires:

  • Revision Nightmares: “Just one small change” to an element or image you’ve prematurely flattened or erased.
  • Workflow Bottlenecks: You’re burning hours redoing work that could have been a simple change using better techniques.
  • Creative Limitations: You hesitate to experiment with a design because mistakes feel permanent–like venting a structure by cutting a hole instead of using a door.
  • Inconsistent Results: Each project feels like starting from scratch, with no systematic approach to maintain quality across multiple designs, especially when they are part of a series.

These aren’t just annoying inconveniences—they’re five-alarm creative emergencies that can damage client relationships, waste valuable time, and ultimately cost you money.

Without a proper non-destructive workflow, you’re fighting design fires with a limited water supply.

The Plan: Building Your Non-Destructive Editing Skills.

How I Can Help Ignite Your Photoshop Skills

From engineering to firefighting, I’ve learned that it is essential to know the tools available to me and how to use them in unique and evolving situations.

I’ve applied this same approach to how I learn and teach Photoshop.

My focus isn’t about showing you how to do specific, trendy effects. I aim to help you learn the tools and techniques to give you a solid foundation that will serve you through any creative challenge—just like proper training serves firefighters through any emergency.

My Photoshop Fire Academy Core Principles

Pre-Planning

I’ll share my creative preparedness on how to set up your files from the start to handle whatever changes come your way.

Using Safety Lines

You’ll learn my non-destructive workflows to preserve your original pixels at all costs.

Standard Operating Procedure

I’ll highlight my systematic approach that develops consistent, repeatable processes that work across projects.

Workflows, Results, and Designs That Speak for Themselves

photoshop instructor matthew pompa with his dog kip
  • Real-World Impact – My techniques have helped me create designs that have generated over $100M in revenue for brands I’ve worked with.
  • Proven Systems – The non-destructive workflows I share aren’t just my opinion but proven processes I’ve refined over 17+ years of professional work.
  • Multi-Disciplinary Experience – My background in engineering, firefighting, and marketing gives me a unique approach to problem-solving not found in typical Photoshop tutorials.
  • Practical Application – Every technique I share has been used in real client projects with tight deadlines and high stakes, not just in controlled tutorial environments.

I’m not sharing simple Photoshop tips and tricks—you’re learning a systematic approach to digital designs that can elevate your professional capabilities and open new career opportunities.

How Mastering Non-Destructive Editing Will Benefit You

Learn the Photoshop techniques that can impact your professional success:

Time is Money

Every hour spent redoing work because of destructive editing is an hour you could have spent on new projects or with family.

Client Relationships

Being able to quickly accommodate changes builds trust.


Professional Growth

Employers and clients notice the difference between designers delivering flexible files and those who don’t.

Don’t Get Burned by Bad Techniques

Subscribe for weekly Photoshop tutorials, time-saving workflows, and the occasional firefighting pun.

From probie to hotshot: get the help to ignite your Photoshop skills without getting caught in a revision inferno.

Frequently Asked Questions About My Photoshop Instruction

My unique background blending engineering, firefighting, and marketing gave me a foundation based on tools and workflows. I focus on non-destructive techniques and explain the “how” and the “why” behind what I do.

I aim to help beginners and intermediate Photoshoppers improve their skills using techniques that make their designs more flexible.

Currently, I’m focused on creating content for my blog and YouTube channel. Subscribe to stay updated on future online courses.

I specialize in non-destructive editing techniques, efficient workflows, and creative problem-solving in Photoshop. My content covers everything from fundamental layer masks to advanced compositing, all through the lens of preserving flexibility and creative options.

I publish new content weekly. Subscribe to make sure you never miss an update!