Welcome to Candid Exposures
My Neurodivergent Mixtape
I have spent the last 10 years as a Vancouver Portrait photographer, photographing other amazing humans and practicing how to truly witness people.
Now it’s time to witness myself, deeper.
In a world that constantly tries to adjust our contrast, crop out our edges, and add trending filters while erasing parts of us, it can be so hard to truly know who we are, like WTF is authenticity anyway?! Which is why I’ve decided to share my unedited exposures of my messy life, because I do really hope with all my tortured artist heart, that this will reach your heart too!
Hi There, I’m Michele (pronounced Micheleee) Mateus, the person behind the lens and keyboard, and often rocking a rad playlist (yes I will share my fav tunes as we go). I’m a photographer by passion and trade, which might explain why I see the world in frames, perspectives, and moments of raw authenticity.
I just joined the neurodivergent club!
3 weeks before this post was made, but let’s be honest, I always knew something was up. After years of trying to process the world through settings that were never calibrated for my mind, I am feeling all the feels about what it means to be me, so why not share I say! Oh and I also live with Multiple Sclerosis, yuppers
I am quite the mixtape, the kind you may not get the flow of right away but listen a few times and you’ll be waiting for more.
This blog was born from necessity. Raising a neurodivergent child in a world that still largely misunderstands, fears, or attempts to “correct” neurological differences has been both my greatest challenge and my most profound teacher, and I am still learning though I could really use a mental break and just think about cute dogs for a week… yes I am a dog person!
Back to why I started this, like developing film in a darkroom, watching my child’s unique perspectives emerge and experiences the immense challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child has helped me recognize and understand the patterns in my own processing which I felt were worth sharing.
Why “Candid Exposures”?
That’s exactly what you’ll find here, unposed, unfiltered snapshots of me and my life, and also I love a good photography pun, truly can’t help myself and you’re welcome! Here’s what you can expect from me:
- Navigating parenthood when both you and your child process the world differently yet the same in a weird and wonderful way
- The complex journey of late-diagnosis AuDHD, it’s like everything has changed, yet nothing has changed at all
- The daily frustrations and unexpected joys of living in a society designed around neurotypical defaults, Pinterest parenting, and endless social justice issues to shake a fist at
- Raw thoughts on disability rights and social justice issues that directly impact ALL of our lives
- Whatever else happens to fire across my synapses that day, and as someone living with both MS and AudHD who knows if they will even be firing or on overdrive
- My photography, funny memes, ridiculous selfies and things that make me smile through it all!
- Oh and music, music is a big part of my life so be prepared for music that has helped me along this messy magical groovy journey! I’ll drop the track I wrote each piece too at the end of each one!
Humor is my jam
I am quite the mixtape, the kind you may not get the flow of right away but listen a few times and you’ll be waiting for more.
Also you may notice I use humor throughout my writing (hopefully you notice or clearly I am not that funny!), not to make light of serious issues, but because sometimes we need levity to survive them. As someone who has experienced deep trauma, finding glimmers of joy and hope through laughter has been my most reliable coping mechanism, seriously give me a good comedy over a horror any day.
I’m not here to provide neat “inspiration porn” narratives or heartwarming platitudes about special gifts that I hold. Real neurodivergent experiences contain struggle, beauty, frustration, creativity, exhaustion, and brilliance and sometimes all within the same hour. I promise to share these realities without adjusting the exposure to make others more comfortable. And pro tip to note: neurodivergent folks, like me, are not a monolith.
My neurodivergent mind developed without filters yet was forced to mask. I am so ready to take off the masks, and for the record I am still figuring which masks I even wore, cause often we are not consciously aware of our masking, or at least I wasn’t.
So grab your fav noise cancelling headphones and join my party where we load up our tunes and dance like everyone’s watching! Cause it’s time we came together in solidarity, with humility, our messes and with what moves and grooves us.
So friend, new or old, I am so glad you are here, really I am cause I guess my ego wants to feel like someone is reading along and can relate and or can’t relate at all but appreciates learning and laughing with me.
Regardless of if you’re neurodivergent, parenting a neurodivergent child, or simply interested in viewing the world through a different lens, welcome aboard!
If you’re here to learn, I appreciate your openness. If you’re here to tell me I just need to try harder to fit in — well, I’ve spent enough time in darkrooms to know when something’s underexposed and it looks artsy or it looks like it’s time to trash.
Let’s reframe the conversation together, to a groovy playlist shall we!
Sharing is caring and if you enjoyed reading what I shared I’d love to hear your thoughts, personal insights and reflections in the comments.
I started this space to write about my Neurodivergent experience both as a late stage diagnosed woman and mother to a child who is also AudHD. I write from my personal perspective, which is raw, real and sometimes ridiculous, so thanks for being here! Feel free to drop your comments below and join me on my social platforms:
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmateus/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mateusstudios/
Thanks for Reading!
Hi I’m Michele Mateus, an award winning Vancouver Portrait Photographer specialized intimate portraits with an artistic editorial edge.
When you work with me you can expect depth in your photos and ease in your experience. I offer photoshoots across Metro Vancouver serving Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Langley, Abbotsford, Squamish, Burnaby, Surrey, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster and the Great Vancouver area.
Book a chat with to learn more about working with me!
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