Lou Dematteis is an American photographer and producer who focuses on social, environmental, and political conflict and its consequences in the United States and worldwide.
In this article, we’ll discuss all the details about the life of Lou Dematteis. But before exploring the life of his remarkable personality, let’s go through some of the quick information.
Quick Information
| Full Name | Lou Dematteis |
| Year of Birth | 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Palo Alto, California, United States |
| Age | 76 years old (as of 2024) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | photographer and filmmaker |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse Name | Amy Tan |
Early Life & Education
Lou Dematteis was born in Palo Alto, California, United States, in 1948, but his exact date of birth remains a mystery. She is 76 years old as of 2024.
He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in political science and studied photography at the De Young Museum Art School in San Francisco. No more details regarding his education status, parents, or siblings are available online.
Professional Life
Over the last thirty years, Dematteis has worked extensively in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.
He is a former staff photographer with Reuters, renowned for his work during the peak of the Contra war in Nicaragua. In 1986, his photos of Eugene Hasenfus gained international recognition.
He also documented the harmful effects of Texaco’s oil exploitation in the Ecuadorian Amazon. His ongoing work focuses on the health impacts of Texaco’s toxic contamination on the people of the Amazon.
His work is featured in the exhibit “Crude Reflections: ChevronTexaco’s Rainforest Legacy.” De Matteis’s photos have been shown in the U.S. and abroad. In 1992, he directed the first exhibit by U.S. photographers in Vietnam since the end of the war.
His work has been shown on four continents. In 2007, he received a grant to exhibit his work from the Ecuadorian Amazon in communities affected by oil extraction. His book, “Crude Reflections/Cruda Realidad,” was published in 2008. Dematteis is based in San Francisco.
Dematteis is involved in both film and still photography. He produced and directed the documentary “Crimebuster: A Son’s Search for His Father,” shown on Public Television starting in June 2012.
His latest project is the film noir feature “The Other Barrio,” which premiered at the San Francisco Indie Fest on February 8, 2015.
Lou Dematteis’s Net Worth
Lou Dematteis’s net worth or wealth is not publicly announced. However, based on his career, his net worth may be around $5 million as of 2024.
His primary source of income is his film producer career. His future projects and dedication to his work will increase his wealth.
Personal Life
Lou Dematteis married Amy Tan in 1974. They live near San Francisco in Sausalito, California. They live in a house they designed to feel open and airy, like a treehouse, but also to be comfortable for them to live comfortably into old age, incorporating accessibility features.
The couple does not have any children because Tan chose not to have children due to a panic that she would pass on a genetic legacy of mental instability.
Her maternal grandmother died by suicide, her mother threatened suicide often, and she has struggled with suicidal ideation.
FAQs
Who is Lou Dematteis?
Lou Dematteis is an American photographer and filmmaker renowned for documenting social, environmental, and political conflicts worldwide.
What are some notable works by Lou Dematteis?
His significant works include the photographic anthologies Nicaragua: A Decade of Revolution (1991) and A Portrait of Viet Nam (1996), as well as the bilingual book Crude Reflections/Cruda Realidad (2008).
What subjects does Lou Dematteis focus on in his photography?
Dematteis concentrates on capturing the consequences of social, environmental, and political conflicts, highlighting issues such as war, environmental degradation, and the struggles of marginalized communities.
Has Lou Dematteis received any awards for his work?
Yes, his photograph of downed U.S. soldier-of-fortune Eugene Hasenfus received international recognition, including a citation from the World Press Photo competition.
Where has Lou Dematteis exhibited his work?
His photographs have been exhibited globally, including at the Ansel Adams Center in San Francisco and The Photographers' Gallery in London.
