vancouver portrait photographer

for daydreamers & rebel hearts

work with me

SEEN IN

portrait masters . rangefinder . CBC . By the north . Ripple of Change. Between the Covers. Bold Journey

Hi, I’m Michele Mateus!

Vancouver portrait photographer, artist, podcaster and mother. I work with women, femmes and gender queer folks, in my studio or on location across Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

My process is slow, unscripted and offers you space to tap into your inner wild, and whimsy. We explore, we play, we move and groove to great music, taking time to be present instead of forcing it. That’s how I get the photos you see here, full of raw emotion, effortlessly cool and vibrantly alive.

Some people come to mark a milestone. Some are stepping into a new chapter. Some are just curious. Whatever brings you in, the main goal is that you’ve already decided this one’s for you.

You don’t need to know how to pose. There’s no need for a big production, because my minimalist style creates maximalist impact.

All you need is an intention, and me reminding you that you’re not a project that needs to be fixed. You’re the frequency. I tune in, and we make something that’s art. If that sounds like your jam, then let’s make it happen.

more about me

pricing & process

PODCAST

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work with me
  • Contemporary dancer Shion in expressive Vancouver studio portrait by Michele Mateus
  • Editorial portrait of Lakesha Miner by Vancouver portrait photographer Michele Mateus
  • old portrait by Vancouver portrait photographer Michele Mateus — personal branding and creative portrait photography
Slide 1
client review
"
MICHELE IS AN ABSOLUTE TREASURE

So welcoming and warm as well professional. She offers such great artistic vision and guidance while also being open and collaborative. ~Denise Chan

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  • Portrait of women Sitting on a wooden ladder with legs crossed holding a violin in her lap.
  • Mature woman in black and white artistic portrait with creative composition and styling
Slide 1
client review
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HER WORK IS ART

There was lots of conversation and laughter that quickly helped me feel comfortable in front of the camera. I was amazed by the way Michele captured fleeting moments of movement or shapes that I improvised in our shoot. ~Shion Carter

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  • Woman in natural lifestyle brand portrait sitting on the floor with legs crossed
  • fine art nude photo a woman's hand in front of a white sheer sheet
  • Vancouver Boudoir portrait of a brunette woman in an artistic effortless pose wearing gold jewelry posed on a hand painted canvas backdrop
  • Black and white fine art nude photo of breasts with stripe shadow.
  • Contemporary dancer Natalie in movement portrait by Vancouver portrait photographer Michele Mateus
  • Vancouver portrait editorial photographer creates sophisticated image of owman sittin on floor leaning casually against a chair with timeless styling
  • artistic black and white portrait of a woman putting on her black blazer by Vancouver Portrait photographer Michele Mateus
  • black and white image of a woman laughing, wearing a white tank top with a messy bun by vancouver photographer Michele Mateus
Slide 1
client review
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THE PICTURES TURNED OUT INCREDIBLE

Standing in front of a camera can be so daunting, but she made me feel so comfortable and encouraged. Her space is beautiful and she is just a lovely, talented human! ~Angie

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  • Woman's hands gently touching in intimate black and white portrait.
  • Personal Brand photo of Jodi Proznick, Juno nominated Jazz musician
  • Portrait of a nude woman sitting on a wooden chair with her legs pulled up top her chest by Vancouver Fine art portrait photographer Michele Mateus
  • Contemporary black and white portrait of a blonde woman with short hair in a black dress photographed by Vancouver Portrait Photographer Michele Mateus
  • black and white boudoir image of woman's breasts, one covered by a cloth
  • Portrait of a blonde woman wearing glasses and a black tshirt and black jeans sat in a large window of a brick building. photo taken by vancouver portrait photographer michele mateus
  • Vancouver Boudoir Photographer Michele Mateus creates portraits of women embodying their feminine energy. PIctured here is a woman connecting with a flower in a meditative moment.
  • woman's fingers touching by her naked shoulder
  • Woman in elegant black and white portrait sitting on a wooden stool with legs crossed by Vancouver photographer Michele Mateus
  • Vancouver portrait photographer Michele Mateus captures dancer Natalie in intimate expressive studio portrait
  • Artistic black and white portrait of woman's bare shoulders and chest
  • Portrait of Carolyn Roberts in Cedar hat against a black background by Vancouver Portrait Photographer Michele Mateus
  • Vancouver personal branding portrait of woman on beach with the sunlight behind her in professional editorial photography for entrepreneur storytelling.
  • Black and white fine art portrait of nude woman's back with her hand on her waist
  • Portrait of a woman with short brown hair and red lips in slip ace top taken by portrait photographer Michele Mateus
  • Portrait of Shruti Ramani by Vancouver Editorial Portrait Photographer Michele Mateus
  • Portrait of a white woman with long black hair in a modern white suit by Vancouver Portrait Photographer Michele Mateus
  • Portrait of a woman walking into the ocean taken by Vancouver Portrait Photographer Michele Mateus of Mateus Studios
  • Vancouver portrait photographer Michele Mateus creates elegant timeless portrait of woman with hands wrapped around herself in contemporary minimalist style
  • Fine art portrait of a woman, self-acceptance photography session by Michele Mateus Vancouver
  • Woman in minimalist boudoir portrait with her back draped in fabric in soft aesthetic
  • Fine art nude portrait of a woman showing her backside by vancouver portrait photographer michele mateus
  • Fine art black and white portrait with woman's face half covered.
  • creative portrait of a woman with glasses in the sun by vancouver photographer michele mateus
  • : Vancouver boudoir portrait in black and white featuring woman in minimalist intimate composition sitting while leaning her elbows on her knees.
  • Portrait of a short haired Persian woman sat on a artistic canvas backdrop, leaning on an apple box taken by Michele Mateus
  • Vancouver Editorial Photographer Michele Mateus shows a portrait of older woman posed sitting on edge of sofa in rusty brown dress
  • Black and white portrait of a woman wearing an oversized sweater that is off the shoulder with bear legs and wearing black pumps created by Michele Mateus
  • Portrait of a Palestinian Woman wearing a keffiyeh by Vancouver Portrait Photographer Michele Mateus
  • Woman in minimalist contemporary portrait with soft romantic aesthetic and pink roses draped over her shoulder.

SEEN IN

portrait masters . rangefinder . CBC . By the north . Ripple of Change. Between the Covers. Bold Journey