She studied Fine Art at the University of Nebraska Lincoln with an emphasis in photography and graduated with a BFA in 2001. She continued her studies, earning her MFA, at Hartford Art School in 2004. Matel’s work utilizes different types of photographic practices that range from historical processes to digital, with family, memory, and collections as a common concept throughout. Her work has been shown nationally including New York, Connecticut and Minnesota. She is currently on faculty at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha and is co-owner of Tsuru Boutique in Lincoln.