Light does not absolve. It lingers, exposing what was never confessed. Penitent Light, 2018 | Room 13 #Room13 #PhotoSeries #FaithAndDoubt #HumanFragility #ContemporaryPhotography

We often drift away. Some return. Some stay away. Drift Away, 2026. Collage on hard book-cover. 11.5 x 8.25 inches. ✅ Available. DM to purchase. #analogcollage #artcollector #artforsale #contemporaryart #cutandpaste

A stack of old magazines is like paper gold. It’s a treasure hunt every time you flip through the pages. Analog collage on hard book-cover. #analogcollage #cutandpaste #collageart #collageartist #contemporaryart

Took this at an eerie abandoned house in Borrego Springs, CA. No Escape, 2020. Taken on Polaroid 600 film. #polaroid #polaroidphotography #polaroid600 #contemporaryphotography #fineart

Will I make it back to East Jesus in 2026? I hope so. Who’s down for a road trip to the desert? Untitled, East Jesus, 2022 #eastjesus #slabcity #contemporaryphotography #colorphotography #keepitweird

“When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” Confession, 2023. @leatherfacesmom.bsky.social #polaroid #polaroid600 #polaroid600film #polaroidsx70 #brooklynfilmcamera

Check out these images from my series “East Jesus” that I’ve taken over the years. You can see the complete series on my website. Link in bio. (DaleMateo.com) #EastJesus #contemporaryphotography #colorphotography #slabcity #moodyphotography

No voice. No sign. Only the weight of being there. A selection of images from my series - Valley of Shadows. 1. The Prophet Fell, 2024 2. Fragment of Sanctuary, 2015 3. The River Did Not Carry Them, 2023 #ValleyOfShadows #FaithInAbsence #HumanFragility #ContemporaryPhotography #SpiritualAbsence

A Polaroid of Megan taken at a small church in Borrego Springs. #polaroid #polaroidbw #polaroidsx70 #polaroid600 #polaroidphotography

Reflected in Silence, 2023 | Valley of Shadows Nothing speaks. Silence becomes a mirror. #ValleyOfShadows #MinimalPoetry #ContemporaryPhotography #ArtPhotography #SpiritualVoid

The Howl is Silent, 2025 | Valley of Shadows No answers. No witness. #ValleyofShadows #SpiritualDesolation #ContemporaryPhotography #SilentLament #HumanFragility

Dissolving Faith, 2018 | Room 13 A quiet moment where belief quietly recedes. #Room13 #DissolvingFaith #Isolation #HumanFragility #ContemporaryArt

A couple Polaroids from my 2023 shoot with Claire. #Polaroid #polaroid600film #blackandwhitephotography #contemporaryphotography #polaroidphotography

Which one is your favorite: 1, 2, 3, or 4? 🖤 These are from a shoot from a few years ago with Melanie. I’m working on my next zine and want to include one of these. Let me know which one you like. #contemporaryphotography #blackandwhitephotography #room13 #darkart #moodyart

These were taken in East Jesus, Slab City. It’s a place that feels like the end of the road and the beginning of something else. I keep coming back, camera in hand, trying to understand why it feels like home. #EastJesus #SlabCity #ContemporaryPhotography #ContemporaryArt #ColorPhotography

Silent Witness, 2025 | Valley of Shadows The silence is empty. It’s complicit. #ValleyOfShadows #contemporaryphotography #artphotography #fineart #artcollector

Her tears wash over her, but no cleansing comes. Rinsed Away, 2018 | Room 13 #Room13 #ContemporaryPhotography #ContemporaryArt #FineArtPhotography #ArtCollector

Vanishing Presence, 2018 | Room 13 She is still here. Just no longer available to you. #Room13 #FineArtPhotography #ContemporaryArt #ContemporaryPhotography #ColorPhotography

A desert saint, crowned by faith, rust, and sunlight. Untitled, East Jesus, 2025 #EastJesus #SlabCity #ColorPhotography #ContemporaryPhotography #FineArt

Ascending from Eden, 2016 | Eden Lost We’re taught that exile is punishment. But sometimes it’s liberation. #EdenLost #ContemporaryPhotography #FineArt #ArtCollector #BWPhotography

Not every confession is spoken. CONFESSION, 2023 Taken on a Polaroid SX-70 camera that has been converted to shoot 600 film. #Polaroid #Polaroidsx70 #Polaroid600 #ContemporaryPhotography Model: @leatherfacesmom.bsky.social

A Polaroid from a shoot I did back in 2023. Who else loves the look of Polaroids? #polaroid #polaroid600 #polaroidsx70

REVELATIONS #2 is now available for pre-order on my website! 🔥 📸 I’m super proud of this zine and happy to be offering it as the follow up to #1. I’ll be offering it at a “pre-order” discount for one week. I also still have copies of REVELATIONS #1 available. Grab yours now. Link in bio.

I love letting you taste what you’ve been starving for. Shot by: @dalemateoart.bsky.social Full post on my IG: @mskalipha

Recent photoshoot with @dalemateoart.bsky.social was 🔥🔥🔥

‘BEYOND FLESH’ 2025. #photomontage #collage #art #artist #photographer

She dreams of salvation, but wakes to the weight of despair. “FORLORN REVERIE" / 2023 From the series “Room 13” © Dale Mateo #photography #fineartphotography #art #artist

A Duotone Polaroid of Livie. #polaroid #instantfilm #nudephotography #nudemodel #photograper #artist

Today’s #artjournal entry. #artjournaling #artjournalpage #artist #photographer

Tomorrow things will be better. #artjournal #artjournaling #artjournalpage

Lambs to the slaughter, or to salvation? #artjournal #artjournaling #artistjournal #photographer

A duotone Polaroid of the amazing Livie. #polaroid #photography #photographer