Mateus Studios is a portrait photography studio that captures the full breadth of being alive—the joy and the quiet introspection, the beautiful melancholy, the glimmers of hope, and the whispers and roars of what it means to be human. The owner, Michele Mateus, is an award-winning photographer whose work spans editorial portraits and fine art. With AuDHD, her brain sees the world in vivid, overwhelming detail, and she finds calm by translating it into black and white, stripping away the noise to reveal the feelings underneath.
What is your business called and what does it do?
My business is Mateus Studios, I have a portrait studio and often work on location photographing amazing humans who are wanting portraits that are anything but ordinary. My clients have come from all walks of life, from fellow artists, to professors, musicians and mothers who are wanting to document this stage of life they are in, honestly and with intention. I have been doing this work for 11 years now, and the thing I am most proud of is how I push against the narrative that people need to be photoshopped and altered in order to see how radiant they are. Through my photography, I want to offer people an opportunity to feel seen and liberated to be a full expression of themselves, not having to perform a role.
Over the years, I have had the pleasure of photographing professors, artists, contemporary dancers, musicians, and entrepreneurs throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. I have also photographed endless mothers who often come to me feeling lost in their identity, wanting to reconnect with that feeling that they are still in there.
What made you want to do this work?
Honestly, the death of my mother when she was 49 due to a short and very aggressive form of Breast Cancer is what had my invest in my first DLSR camera, as photography became a way for me to process my grief. Then I started to think of her life and how she carried some much heartache and pain, never truly feeling like she was enough. I wanted to use my camera in a way that I wish I could have done for her, to show others what I saw in them, all the beautiful details and showing the so called imperfections as character, as intricate elements that when we shift the narrative to hating ourselves to seeing these things as part of our story, and that each of us are works of art in our own right.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
I want to help boost people’s self-esteem and show them that they can indeed break free from the capitalist narrative that something about them needs to be fixed. I want to show people that they are worthy of seeing themselves as art, of taking up more space and of feeling excited to show up for who they are, as they are.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
The majority of my clients over the years are women, non-binary and queer folks, usually around their early 40’s, all the way up to 75! Many are artists, dancers, creatives and entrepreneurs, as well as I have photographed many mothers who are around that 40 age and really in a place of self-discovery (I call it the f*it 40’s, where folks are ready to let go of old narratives to truly embrace themselves boldly for who they are).
I am very grateful to be trusted but such a range of amazing humans; we laugh together, sometimes we cry together, and we always have a lot of fun co-creating together.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
My business makes money through providing a photography service and then selling the images I create. As an artist, I am going for quality over quantity, and offer collections of 10, 20 or 40 images. I also offer my work as both digital and fine art products that offer people the best of both worlds. I truly believe noth beats holding prints in your hands of hanging them up on your walls.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
I am located in Coquitlam, but my work is all over the Lower Mainland.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
I often think it is important to ask photographers if they know how to use lighting, as often many say they are natural light photographers, which I love natural light too, but what happens if there is no natural light or not enough. I also think it is important to ask about their editing philosophy so know if they are heavy-handed with retouching, or keep things more natural.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part about what I do is seeing people actually like their images for the first time. So many people hate being photographed and have had terrible experiences, so seeing people actually like and even sometimes LOVE their photos is the biggest reward.
Worst part is being a photographer in a world that craves and sells people’s perfection when you don’t want to conform to those superficial standards. I see so many people use the term ’empowerment,’ and my question has always been, “What is empowering about altering people?” I really don’t like that about this industry, as I feel we have a big responsibility with our cameras.
Where can we follow you?
Portrait work: Website | Instagram
Fine art work: Website | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
