Vancouver photographer Reviews
client love
“She’s warm, safe and 100% salt of the earth. Which means as the client,
you get to feel completely liberated, safe, authentic and cared for. She exudes love.”
~Adrienne Miller.
Dee Clarke
“Michele Mateus is warm, funny, artistic, and incredibly creative. Her relaxed and playful demeanour immediately putting me at ease. Michele’s guidance and gentle coaching helped me move through the usual awkwardness of being in front of the camera and actually enjoy the experience.
She has an incredible eye for lighting, background, and mood, and every detail felt intentional without ever feeling forced. What impressed me most was her ability to capture not just how I look, but who I am in the best possible way. It was a very positive experience. I hope to work with Michele again in the future!”
Carla Dassinger
“Michele was fantastic and easy to work with. She was professional, easy to communicate with, gave clear directions for specific shots, and captured the brand, professionalism, and personality that we wanted in our photos. Her photos were the perfect addition to our website and our organization.
I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a professional and kind photographer.”
Ainsley M.
“Michele is so lovely. I love her studio ,I love her vibe. She is very inclusive, safe, welcoming and open. Michele is so fun and down to earth. I love connecting with her because we giggle and laugh like we’re besties. Her creativity and ideas are constantly flowing, so much that our time together flies by, and I don’t want it to end.
I’m so glad I get to work with this gorgeous soul & her magic. Michele does not disappoint. Her skills are sensational. I can’t say enough great things about her, she is a gem !”
Adrianne M.
“If I could give one million stars, I would. Michele is the best of the best. Not only is she technically skilled with shooting, lighting, posing and more, she creates the most amazing atmosphere just because of the person she is. And not every photographer has that.
You can’t buy a course for that. She’s warm, safe and 100% salt of the earth. Which means as the client, you get to feel completely liberated, safe, authentic and cared for. She exudes love. And that’s what you want when you’re shooting something so intimate.
You can’t help but feel comfortable around her.
If you have the chance to be shot by her, take it!!!”
Roxanna F.
“I’m so glad we connected again! and over our shared love of Peter Lindbergh too! This shoot was lovely and lively. I often felt like I was returning to myself. Thank you for this experience, connection, and beautiful images!”
Kia O.
“Michele is absolutely incredible to work with. She creates a space for you to be completely yourself in front of a camera, and fosters vulnerability and rawness in a way that feels so comfortable. The photos that she takes capture authenticity in all ways. Michele took photos of my fiancé and I that exude a quiet sense of intimacy; we can see ourselves and our love exactly as they are in the photos, with no pretenses. I attribute this to Michele’s amazing ability to make you feel completely at ease during a photoshoot. She is such a kind and lovely person that it is so easy to feel safe and real around her, because it is so clear that you can trust her with your vulnerability! Michele is also so creative, and she is not afraid to take risks or try new things artistically. This means that her portraits are pieces of art in all senses of the word. I cannot recommend working with Michele highly enough! :)”
Alexa A.
“Michele was incredible to work with. She made me feel so comfortable and executed on my vision perfectly. I am so happy to have the most beautiful photos I will treasure forever.”
Terra N.
“Words really can’t describe how wonderful I feel after a photoshoot with Michele and seeing the images we created together! Her eye for detail and use of gorgeous and interesting lighting, posing and composition is so apparent. She is very knowledgeable and professional yet has the warmth of a best friend wanting to comfort and hype you up. She made me feel extremely comfortable and at ease before, during and after the shoot and that is so important when shooting nude or partially nude like I was. Her home studio is gorgeous and spacious and had so many beautiful props and pieces of clothing to add depth and intrigue to the photos. And the way she sees you as art and treats you as art is very special. The balance she had with suggesting posing and allowing for play proved to be expert level and the images speak for themselves, oh my goodness! Just go to her website and look at all the others who have stepped into front of her camera. She was able to help me see my body in whole in new ways, and also see parts of me that I have always been self conscious of, in the most beautiful new ways. I am whole and I am ART! Seeing myself this way really disrupted some negative self perceptions and has brought me deeper into my healing journey. Highly highly recommend a shoot with Michele. Who knows what kind of beautiful magic you will create together!!
You are SO worth it!!!”
Emma S.
“Where to begin!? Working with Michelle and her team was such a special experience. They made me feel like a vip and catered the day so I had the best possible experience. Then I received my photos and wow! I knew they would be lovely but they were even better than I anticipated. I’m so glad I got to do this and I’d absolutely do it again.”
Natasha G.
“Working with Michele was a life changing experience. She was so attuned to my goals for the shoot and helped me create exactly what I was looking for. As a person and as a professional, she is amazing. Do not hesitate to reach out to her for your shoot.”
Sara J.
“Michele is professional, kind, compassionate and an overall great person who has a way of making you feel seen in your authenticity. Some photographers sessions can feel rigged and too “structured” , with not a lot of room for creativity. My shoot with Michele felt like I was chatting with a friend and it just felt natural. I would definitely recommend her for your next photoshoot!”
Shion C.
“My photoshoot at Mateus Studios was casual, organic, and so fun! It was lovely to be in the room with Michele, where 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. I remembered something Michele said during our session, about how the word “photography” comes from the meaning “painting with light”. The images Michele captured with her camera, especially the ones where she created shadows and moody atmospheres using lighting at different angles, truly showed that Michele does paint with light, and her work is art.
I’m grateful to have connected with Michele and look forward to doing a photoshoot with her again, hopefully in the near future!”
Yanez K.
“I cannot begin to explain how much I love working with Mateus’s studios! Michele is seriously the kindest, spunkiest, amazing photographer around. I went into my shoot grumpy and feeling like I was having a terrible hair day and Michele has a natural way of making person feel so good about themselves by the end. I am so thankful and so in love with the end results”
Suzanne B.
“Wow the entire experience of this photo shoot was incredible from start to finish. Michele’s attention to detail from our first conversations to how I wanted to be photographed was really great. She knew how to make me feel comfortable and open up in front of the camera. My images are STUNNING. This is not something I thought I would ever say about an image of myself but she showed me that I am beautiful and worth the time and effort to be in photos! Her hair and makeup artist did a very beautiful job. I can’t wait to share my images with everyone!”
Louisa B.
“Michele made the whole process so fun from beginning to end. As someone who doesn’t like having my photo taken she managed to capture me and my personality perfectly. The best compliment I received was from my oldest daughter who said I love the photos mum, they actually look like you and who you are. Photos tell a story and Michele captured mine and I am so happy to use them to promote myself and my business”
Natalie C.
“Michele is amazing!! All of my experiences with her have been so positive and she creates such a safe space to explore. I adore all the photos that came from our shoot and will be going back for sure.”
Kerosene
“Prepare for an uplifting and empowering experience through the lens of this wonderful human being. You won’t regret the results.
Do yourself a favour and book a shoot. You are worthy.”
Jodi P.
“Michele is one of the best photographers around! She is highly skilled and creates beautiful art, but she is also so kind, generous and makes you feel so relaxed and comfortable. She is my go to person for all of my professional photography needs. Highly recommended.”
Jenny V.
“I love my Photos! My experience from start to finish was easy, comfortable and more thenI expected!
Michele is a pro! She also has a mack for getting you in the right position and has creative ideas!
Thanks Michele for helping me bring out my inner vixen!”
Marcella B.
“I can’t even begin to describe how much fun I had doing my boudoir session with Michele! She is so welcoming and bubbly. She empowers you and makes you feel like a true queen. Her work is so creative and inspiring. Her style is unique, not like the usual boudoir pictures you see around. I will forever cherish this experience and recommend her work 100%!”
Jenn W.
“My photo shoot with Michele was lots of fun and resulted in some incredible photos I will cherish for years to come. Michele created such a safe space in her studio where I felt comfortable and respected. Her high energy (and playlist) made the shoot a lot of fun. I definitely recommend every woman giving herself the gift of an intimate portrait session!”
Suzanne B.
“Wow the entire experience of this photo shoot was incredible from start to finish. Michele’s attention to detail from our first conversations to how I wanted to be photographed was really great. She knew how to make me feel comfortable and open up in front of the camera. My images are STUNNING. This is not something I thought I would ever say about an image of myself but she showed me that I am beautiful and worth the time and effort to be in photos! Her hair and makeup artist did a very beautiful job. I can’t wait to share my images with everyone!”
Anne B.
“Thank you so much Michele! I love the photos and the folio box! They will be displayed prominently in my living room where I can enjoy them every day. Some of them – even though I know they’re me – inspire me to keep on with my goals and dreams. I see the spark of determination in her eyes. It’s now as if I can’t let myself down! Thank you so much again!”
Ada N.
“Michele was as warm and kind as she was professional. Working with her will be a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. I arrived to the session vulnerable and nervous and she wrapped me in her warm embrace and made me feel so at ease in my own skin and in her space. Her attention to detail is impeccable and she is a master of lighting. Not only does she produce beautiful art, but the art she produces is a reflection of the model’s soul. I enjoyed every second of the photoshoot. We made magic together, but most importantly, I left with a sense of pride and empowerment that I’ve never felt before.”
Megan de B.
“As a Queer, Fat, Genderfluid person, finding a safe space for capturing some very vulnerable photos was really important for me. Every moment of working with Michele felt kind, accepting, and positive. She has a magical way of ensuring you feel at ease in front of the camera. I struck poses I didn’t even know my body was capable of making anymore! And as a result, Michele was able to create art. Art that I cannot believe depicts me! Art that represents me and my identity fully, accurately, and beautifully..”
Kara P.
“Michele was so lovely and made the experience comfortable and fun. We did a branding shoot, and she was able to capture many facets of my personality through her photos. I would definitely recommend her for branding, or for intimate portraits, as some of the photos expressed the more vulnerable side, which is so nice to see I think. Thanks Michele! You’re awesome!”
Aska B.
“Working with Michele allowed me to drop my mother’s voice telling me I am too fat and that my hair is too short… and allowed me to embrace myself as I am. It was fun and easy. What a great experience! Thanks Michele!.”
Lila B.
“Michele is amazing! She has a gift with photography, and she’s the girlfriend we all want in our lives. My experience was so fun, empowering, and comfortable, even though having my photo taken has always been outside of my comfort zone. Michele prepares you so well with what to expect, prices, etc. I will definitely book with Michele again.”
Candy.
“Working with Michele was a fabulous experience. She is a calming force of nature and even managed to make sure I laughed and had fun. She is extremely professional and truly loves what she does. I’m so happy with how my photoshoot went and now I’ve even gained a friend.”
Shona F.
“I can’t recommend Michele enough. My boudoir experience was so empowering and freeing. Michele creates a safe space and emboldens you to go as far as you feel comfortable. Nothing is too taboo! Michele helps you celebrate your body and feel your most beautiful. I felt so connected to myself, and truly seen. I come back to my photos when I’m feeling down to remember my worth. Thank you Michele!”
Kim p.
“I can’t recommend Michele enough! This was my first experience investing in branding photos for my solo consulting business, and Michele made the experience joyful and empowering every step of the way. I am over-the-moon happy with the images we created together. They will not only provide value to me professionally for years to come, they also make me feel really good about myself!! Thank you Michele :)”
Susan M.
“Oh where do I begin!! My experience at Mateus Studio with Michele and her girls was unbelievable. I had so much fun, from the time I entered the studio to the end of my photo shoot. Every detail of the shoot was well planned out, the extra clothing suggestions there was to pick from (I brought a lot of my own) to the hair and makeup. My favourite part was, I call this my Sassy Revenge photos. The “Look what you don’t get now” a private joke. My laughter and smiles were the best pictures. I felt this was totally, what I needed, at this time in my journey of life. If you are thinking of this experience, don’t hold back. It’s well forth it, even in my sassy seasoned years. It’s not just for the younger ladies’, it’s for “Me”. The sassy classy, motorcycle rider with a beautiful heart.”
Erin B
“If you’re looking for a photographer who not only captures beautiful images but also sees you, Michele is the one. From the moment I stepped in front of her camera, she made me feel completely at ease. She has this incredible ability to listen, not just with her ears but with her heart. Michele truly understands how to make you feel comfortable in your own skin, embracing your unique essence and helping you feel empowered throughout the entire experience. Her photos go beyond the surface; they capture the real you in a way that feels authentic and meaningful. Michele’s photography is not just a service, it’s a transformative experience. I can’t recommend her enough!?!”
Kendra K.
I would say that my morale regarding my body is typically pretty neutral —
or at least, that the things I like and the things I don’t balance out for the most part and the rest of the time I try not to think about it too much.
This shoot provided a space that was safe and welcoming to celebrate my body, and my beauty, and my sensuality in a way that felt authentic and super non-threatening. And that’s because of Michele and her approach to boudoir.
She’s fantastic.”
