Luck has a funny way of bringing people you didn’t expect together, but when you’re there…it somehow makes sense how the pieces fall together. That couldn’t be any more true than when Mary Ellen Matthews, the photographer behind all the dynamic portraits you see at Saturday Night Live, walked through our gates for our 10th anniversary year of celebrating art out on the ranch.

How all these guests from different backgrounds and places come to us is a little bit different each time, but all typically have something in common: Someone they knew was already in our Luck Family - and they wanted to be a part of it. Mary Ellen was no different.

Now that we’re packed up for the season, we finally had a chance to catch up with each other and reflect on her time at Luck Reunion.

Luck: This was your first time at Luck Reunion. What was your takeaway?

ME: I feel really lucky to be a part of it. I just kept thinking about how it was so magical. I couldn’t believe the amount of acts and spirit throughout the ranch. It was a beautiful environment to work in. You couldn’t ask for better weather, and music was always in the background.

Luck: That’s amazing to hear! Was there anything you had heard about Luck before or come in with any preconceived notions?

ME: I’m a huge music fan and had heard about it before, just with the SNL schedule in the past I couldn’t get away. This year the schedule aligned perfectly.

Also, you hear that it’s on a ranch, but it doesn’t really hit you until you’re driving in and there are literally horses to welcome you.

Luck: We’re all about those magical alignments. Speaking of peeling away from SNL and the city, you had to build an entirely new set in the hill country. We know the ranch is probably a far cry from what you are used to! How did you go about that

ME: I knew right away I wanted to bring in Sean Patrick Anderson of ACME Brooklyn to be my creative partner. While we knew we wanted to build a set, we also wanted to really stay true to the environment and honor that.

The team went down to Round Top to search for antiques and came back with the most unique items for the build that could capture all different facets. We also sourced an amazing old Cadillac that created some unforgettable frames.

Luck: What really stood out to you as you interacted with everyone throughout the day?

ME: Just how magical this place really is. Not only are you literally in Willie Nelson’s backyard hearing amazing music off in the distance while you work, but everyone really is a family. You see how everyone interacts with each other and it’s so heartwarming. You don’t always get that in work environments. Luck definitely stays with you and I think it comes down to that family aspect.

Luck: Speaking of the Luck Family - we welcomed both artists who had played the ranch before and some new ones as well. What were some acts that stuck out to you?

ME: There were definitely acts I heard before, like Jason Isbell or was already friends with, like Leslie Mendelson, but I love how much emphasis was put on discovering new music. Interacting with such an array of artists in one place was really unique.

The other day I was listening to the radio local to NYC and heard two family members: Neal Francis and Adia Victoria and got excited. You really feel connected to it even after you leave the Ranch.

Luck: If you could describe Luck in one word, what would it be?

ME: WillietasticLuckaliciousnelsaficant!

Luck would like to extend a special thank you to Mary Ellen Matthews, Sean Patrick Anderson, ACME Brooklyn, and Garden & Gun for capturing and sharing so many images of our Luck Family as we brought back Luck Reunion in 2022.