Michele Mattei is a world-renowned photographer who began her photographic career in journalism. Gamma, the legendary French photo agency, engaged her to open their first Latin American bureau. During this time Michele traveled throughout the continent to cover political stories, civil unrest, indigenous peoples, environmental problems, and women's issues. She obtained exclusive interviews with several heads of state including Eduardo Frei, Salvador Allende, Agusto Pinochet the president of Chile, and Juan Paron the president of Argentina. As the political situation became more dangerous, Gamma convinced her to relocate and she opened Gamma's first bureau in California. Soon after, she initiated her own agency supplying photographs and text to media networks in 21 countries. This work incorporated diverse projects including advertising campaigns, books, and film.

Michele has worked on many book projects including the documentation of the men and women of Silicon Valley who have technologically revolutionized our lives. She has created a photographic series on female producers in Hollywood as well as dedicating a collection documenting on the adverse effects of silicon in women's bodies. She has also created a series for public television on child abuse and co-produced the "Longest Holiday," a one-hour program, focusing on the Joys of aging. Most recently she worked on another project concerning women and aging called "Fabulous," selecting leaders in their later years who lived creative and fulfilling lives.

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Michele has had many photographic exhibitions around the world including Los Angeles, London, Abu Dhabi, and Bangkok. Michele lives and works in Los Angeles.